[quantx]

An external amp will solve your problems , the DAC on the AK100 is great, so why not just look at a headphone amp?

Yes, why not.
ALO ? JDSLabs ? Cypherlabs ?

 

[Takeanidea]

I have no experience with amping the AK100 I've found no need to do it for myself so will let others guide you towards a good match

 

[quantx]

Regardless, the MKII is 3 ohms impedance, so it's not a hurdle with some IEM/Heads.

 

[Levanter]

There is no true line out for AK, so using an external amp would be double amping. Though there are some who claim using headphone out at max volume acts like a true line out since the sound is very clean.
I am curious on how RSA Intruder compares with ADL X1 and ALO International with AK100. Anyone had any experience?

 

[MistahBungle]

Yeah, an amp makes the impedance thing on the Mk I a non-issue. And yep, that's right, the lower impedance on the Mk II makes it a fair bit more 'forgiving' with regard to which headphones/IEM's will sound 'good' (being a very subjective word anyways, which is why I said try it & find out).

 

[Takeanidea]

Regardless, the MKII is 3 ohms impedance, so it's not a hurdle with some IEM/Heads.

 


I don't own the MKII only the MKI. The MKII if it's 3 ohms probably won't benefit from amping. So unless you can try an amp to see if there;s a benefit I would save your money

 

[tm.chen]

there's the Centrance M8, Venture Craft Typhoon and XDuoo which does optical input from the AK100. That would skip the issue of not having a true line out.

 

[Fatalethal]

There is no true line out for AK, so using an external amp would be double amping. Though there are some who claim using headphone out at max volume acts like a true line out since the sound is very clean.
I am curious on how RSA Intruder compares with ADL X1 and ALO International with AK100. Anyone had any experience?

 
 
I have tried ALO International with my AK100... only issue is, i aint got the money.

 

[Levanter]

there's the Centrance M8, Venture Craft Typhoon and XDuoo which does optical input from the AK100. That would skip the issue of not having a true line out.

Yep, but it would be nice to have the option to listen to the house signature DAC of the AK100. If I wanted a transport I would have gotten a cheaper DAP for that.

I have tried ALO International with my AK100... only issue is, i aint got the money.

Did you try from the HO or Optical?
The ADL X1 looks interesting and it's cheaper as well. Nice to have an option to use a sabre dac with the AK

 

[MistahBungle]

Finally finished reading all 518 pages of this thread. Lost 20 IQ points in the process (some of the....nonsense...at various points...sheesh), which is a worry given I only had 22 to begin with. My work here is done.

Edit - Have had the device since the start of the week so have given it a good workout, am happy to answer any questions anyone has as well as I can (about the device itself; I'm not obsessed with this whole audio thing like a lot of people here so I don't have masses of different headphones/IEM's I've tested it with).

 

[burtomr]

Finally finished reading all 518 pages of this thread. Lost 20 IQ points in the process (some of the....nonsense...at various points...sheesh), which is a worry given I only had 22 to begin with. My work here is done.
 

 
Props to you man....you sure know how to practice self-abuse. I wouldn't wish reviewing this entire never-ending-post-from-hell on my worst enemy.

 

[kimvictor]

Getting a AK10 this monday. Let see if I end of selling my AK100 because of it.

 

[DICOM]

My driveline: 
 
ALAC/AIFF -> RWAK100S (2 x 32GB SDHC) -> ALO Audio SXC 22 -> ALO Audio International -> SXC 24 (mini-balanced) -> FitEar ToGo! 334.
 
My thoughts:
 

1. Current setup: Neutral presentation. Not analytical. Good staging for IEMs. Acceptable, but not overpowering bass. able to fit the stack in my jacket/rear pocket, which comes in handy when travelling.
2. I do feel that amping improved the AK100 from stock. I am aware of the impedance issue with the International (22 ohms), but did not notice any decrement in presentation.
3. As for swapping out the OEM headphone cables and the upgrade to the RWAK100S, I would be lying if I said I was blown away by the difference as it pertains to the 334s. I do have the HD800, which I have yet to use in the portable setup (gotta find an adapter to fit into the 1/8" input on the International).

 
Cheers,
Tim

 

[miprasetya]

Definitely hear hiss on MKII pair with TG334 ....hopes will fixed with firmware updates soon

 

[DICOM]

I originally purchased a stock AK100 and the ALO Audio Rx-Mk3-B but returned the latter due to excessive hiss. I had no problem with the stock AK100 once I switched to the ALO International, nor have I had any problems with hiss since converting to the RWAK100S. I typically keep the gain set to low. On the occasions when I have turned the gain to medium or high, there is a definite rise in the noise floor, with detectable hiss between tracks. I do not notice the hiss during playback, however, and I do appreciate a slight expansion of the soundstage when I increase the gain.