The New iRiver/Astell & Kern AK100: A High-End DAP

[ExpatinJapan]

Seen via Headfonia on Facebook.
 

 
 

Equipped with the Wolfson 8740 DAC The world's highest performing 24bit/192kHz stereo DAC. First portable device with the Wolfson 8740 DAC.

 
 

96 GB of total memory capacity

Equipped with dual Micro SD card slots to support up to 96GB. 

_______________________________________________________________________

Head-fiers seem to enjoy its small size.

Good feedback on overall size, people seem generally happy about is UI.

No gapless (maybe implemented at some stage), maybe implemented in the upcoming AK120

Complaints about its high headphone output impedance (22.41ohm) http://monoadc.blog64.fc2.com/blog-entry-99.html which means it can not give accurate portrayal of some CIEMs/IEMs signature sound. This has been `fixed` by mods such as Red Wine Audio mod to 1ohm - the RWAK100.

Also are the stage 1,2 and 4 mods coming out of Indonesia(?).

*Soon there will be the AK120 which will have HOI of 3ohms. 2 Dacs and more memory space.

 

[scrypt]

Yes, it's really going to be made by iRiver and it's called the AK100!
 
The URL:
 
http://www.iriver.jp/company/press/159.html
 
A rough (but tidied) translation:
 
Quote:

Capable of high-resolution sound reproduction -- at a maximum of 192kHz/24bit -- this portable Hi-Fi audio player pursues source-quality fidelity and playback: The forthcoming Astell & Kern ® AK100.

Very soon, Mouse Computer Co., Ltd., plans to announce that the AK100 will be the first product in their new Hi-Fi Audio Series. The Astell & Kern ® luxury model also supports high-res sound at 192kHz/24bit, making it the flagship of the iRiver brand.
Further details will be forthcoming.

For more information:

Your Contact TEL: 0570-002-220
Journalists' Inquiries TEL: 03-6739-3812

 

[scrypt]

ExpatinJapan:
 
For the sake of clarity, would you consider renaming the thread something like this?:
 
The New iRiver AK100: A High-End DAP
 
Astell&Kern is involved, but this is an iRiver device.
 

 

[straden]

i thought iriver is a korean company... and yet this product news is not announced in korea?

 

[H20Fidelity]

Someone has already tested this on facebook and they mention this:

-optical and coax inline
-32gb onboard + 2x32gb microSDHC (tested 64gb and there's no problem )
And few other nice things.

 

[audionewbi]

cant wait x-D glade I did not bought the new F series walkman...

 

[davidcotton]

Finally a possible upgrade from my olde iriver 120. Still sounds good today (though I tend to use the ipod touch as my main mp3 player these days). Lets hope for a)european/worldwide release and b)not too pricey!

 

[RAFA]

It is beautiful, but how much will it cost... hopefully not another 850$ wallet crusher.

 

[ExpatinJapan]

Quote:

ExpatinJapan:
 
For the sake of clarity, would you consider renaming the thread something like this?:
 
The New iRiver A100: A High-End DAP
 
Astell&Kern is involved, but this is an iRiver device.
 
 

Done

 

[Musicboy]

Looks very interesting. I'm excited with all the new high-end daps 

 

[ringyring]

This sounds like it's going to be pretty expensive, optical and coax should have some people excited though. Are there anymore facebook impressions?

 

[Musicboy]

 
Its the black one in the above image. Looks very sneak

 

[putente]

This seems very nice! Anything yet on it's price? 

 

[RAFA]

Wow, beautiful.
Quote:

 
Its the black one in the above image. Looks very sneak

 

[svyr]

sub.