[ozzymo]

 
It would be a sad affair if owners of a $2,500 240 or a $3,000 240SS did not have this enhancement made available to them. When the 240 was first marketed, a big deal was made about native DSD playback which can be done using the internal DAC—but cannot be done using the optical output. Having USB digital out may change this limitation; certainly it would allow for digital output of PCM files with greater than 24/192 resolution.
 
However, I can also see that the 300 series has different architecture than the 240, so we may be out of luck.

On Astell & Kern's facebook page they announced the new firmware for the 300 series.  Someone asked about the AK240 and AK replied that it is coming soon.  Go to their Facebook page and look for the post announcing the new firmware for the 300 series.  Then you can read the comments.

 

[jwbrent]

  On Astell & Kern's facebook page they announced the new firmware for the 300 series.  Someone asked about the AK240 and AK replied that it is coming soon.  Go to their Facebook page and look for the post announcing the new firmware for the 300 series.  Then you can read the comments.

Great news, thanks for the post!

 

[Paul777]

 
 Vinnie is from http://redwineaudio.com/.  He mods AKs and other players,

I now know Vinnie and have a VR-120 and love it. 

 

[jwbrent]

I wonder when that new firmware that allows USB out is going to be released ...

 

[Overkill Red]

  I wonder when that new firmware that allows USB out is going to be released ...

 
I am also patiently waiting for this..

 

[flipper203]

how does the AK240 sounds in regard to the Onkyo DP-X1?

 

[gordec]

Buydig via ebay has the limited edition AK240 for $1300 with full warranty and 45 day return. Can't beat this price. http://www.ebay.com/itm/311683875655?customid=47c4b08a6fed11e69bf0a27e53a67c0e0INT&pub=5574652453&campid=5337259887&afepn=5337259887&icep_id=117&ipn=icep&afepn=5337259887&rmvSB=true

This gotta to be around cost for buydig.

 

[jwbrent]

Definitely seems like a killer deal on a gold version although I thought those were only released to the Asian market.

 

[rcoleman1]

Buydig via ebay has the limited edition AK240 for $1300 with full warranty and 45 day return. Can't beat this price. http://www.ebay.com/itm/311683875655?customid=47c4b08a6fed11e69bf0a27e53a67c0e0INT&pub=5574652453&campid=5337259887&afepn=5337259887&icep_id=117&ipn=icep&afepn=5337259887&rmvSB=true

This gotta to be around cost for buydig.

 
Same deal for the AK240SS would be awesome.

 

[dsmit125]

Anyone familiar with this particular model ak240? Is this a blue note? I've never seen a gunmetal body with blue buttons. Thanks for anyone's help.

 

[jwbrent]

Yes, that is the Blue Note edition although I recall the entire chassis being the same blue as the knob.

 

[dsmit125]

Yes, that is the Blue Note edition although I recall the entire chassis being the same blue as the knob.

Thanks for your reply and you lead to the main point of my question. Are you, or anyone, familiar with a 240 blue note with gray chasis or is this a regular 240 with fancy buttons or is this maybe a fake?

 

[Kiats]

Thanks for your reply and you lead to the main point of my question. Are you, or anyone, familiar with a 240 blue note with gray chasis or is this a regular 240 with fancy buttons or is this maybe a fake?

jwbrent is correct. The entire AK240 Blue Note is blue. See the photos on the AK site: http://www.astellnkern.com/eng/htm/ak240/ak240_bluenote.asp

 

[DrSheep]

Maybe that's an old photo of the prototype, someone did a backing and dial swap with an AK240SS, or a fake.  As a side note, you can now buy the Blue Note version from AK for the DAP only without the MQS Jazz collection and books.

 

[dsmit125]

Thanks for feedback.