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

[TheGrumpyOldMan]

While I'm at it, a couple more notes:
 
- Before the current issue, I tried to see if the software would scan an equivalent "Playlists" folder on the mSD cards (some ereaders do, for example to compile content) This would allow us to have separate playlists corresponding to the content of the card they're on. And the answer is alas no, the AK100 will only check the one folder on the internal drive.
 
- I have had quite a lot of missing album art in my ALAC files, even though I always use the same manual procedure to embed covers for all of them (and have tested & confirmed their inclusion outside the AK100). Some are fine though but I haven't been able to pinpoint what the difference is. So much for simply dumping most of my collection on there  -_-

 

[Richard-iu]

Hi Folks
 
I just ordered RWAK100, first time get in touch of this DAP. And I have 2 questions that I was wondering.
 
1. What are the IEM that more match with RWAK100? (I have Future Sonics MG6PRO, Earsonics EM4 right now)
2. I saw the korean website that sell the case for AK100 but I couldn't find the way to purchase it. (Dont know a bit about korean....)
 
= =!

 

[lee730]

Quote:

Thanks for the suggestion, tried that already. Disk Manager shows the same thing as Disk Utility does on the Mac...
 
The problem is not so much that I (or rather my computer) can't see the user-available partition, it's that the AK100 now ignores it. There should be 2 partitions, one truly hidden and for good reason containing the OS, only accessible by specialized software tools (I expect some Linux flavor) and one big, visible one called by default "AK100".
 
For some reason the player software/OS can no longer see the second big one (I suspect an unintentionally altered partition map), though the USB controller obviously does and of course the remaining OS partition is way too small for anything useful (if even writable) A lot of tablets, ereaders and cameras have a "Format internal drive" option or similar in their advanced options but alas the AK100 doesn't at this time...

Can you format that remaining partition and see if it can encompass the entire drive?

 

[daseinpdx]

Quote:

Quote:
If you go through their "Downloads" page it's right here.

Thanks.  Apparently there are two download pages at iriver.com and iriverinc.com.   The first one was updated later than the link you provided.

 

[zerodeefex]

I'm excited. I have my rwak100 coming this week and a pico power soon. Going to compare HD800s and my jh16s on the go

 

[AdeAV]

For OSX/iTunes users there's a python script I've been using to transfer over playlists/tracks to my rockboxed HM-801.
I had to modify it slightly to get the paths working.
Maybe it could be used for the AK100:
 
http://myriadicity.net/software-and-systems/craft/crafty-hacks/itunes-playlist-sync

 

[TheGrumpyOldMan]

Quote:

Can you format that remaining partition and see if it can encompass the entire drive?

I'd rather not even if I could since that would be nuking the partition with the OS on it and thus potentially completely bricking the AK100... Still waiting to hear back from iRiver's customer support.

 

[lee730]

True... Well hopefully they'll take care of it for you....
 

 

[daseinpdx]

Quote:

WARNING! Do NOT reformat the internal drive! in case you ever considered it (since it's OK with the inserted cards). I'll spare you all my bleeping.
 
The tinkerer in me couldn't help trying it, in an effort to clear out the internal drive all at once, I reformatted it in the same format as originally (FAT32), on Mac OS X, named it "AK100" then put the default folders back.

While everything still looks OK when connected to the computer, when trying to do a library scan, it fails, and System Information shows:
Internal 1KB left/ 19.36MB, rather than the expected ~31GB (which show up correctly when connected to a computer)   :'(

It is still usable by using folder navigation to the external cards, but it is of course a substantial limitation of the AK100 usability. I'll keep you posted about any response from iRiver.
 
If anybody comfortable with their Mac could open Disk Utility, and click on the (i)nfo button in the toolbar for both the actual drive and the AK100 partition and post a screenshot of that, it might help me figure some things out in the meantime...

I am using a windows computer. I don't know if this will be useful for you or not.  There is a hidden "system" folder with ak100.sys files in addition to what looks like database files.   I don't know what tuner.dat is for.  Using the directory command from the command prompt option, the contents of that drive are:
 
 
Volume Serial Number is 0000-0000

Directory of E:\

11/17/2012 03:26 PM <DIR> AK100_Manual
09/06/2012 01:58 PM 38,848,816 iplus4_1_6_1_installer.exe
01/01/1980 12:00 AM <DIR> Music
01/01/1980 12:00 AM <DIR> Playlists
01/17/2013 07:42 AM <DIR> System
01/17/2013 01:10 PM 30,016,760 AK100.hex
2 File(s) 68,865,576 bytes
4 Dir(s) 23,239,753,728 bytes free

C:\Documents and Settings\AIO>dir e:\system
Volume in drive E is AK100
Volume Serial Number is 0000-0000

Directory of e:\system

01/01/1980 12:00 AM <DIR> .
01/01/1980 12:00 AM <DIR> ..
09/16/2011 07:43 AM 512 AK100.SYS
01/01/1980 12:00 AM 1,024 Tuner.dat
01/21/2013 04:04 PM 1,426,432 ak100SyncDB.db3
01/17/2013 07:54 AM 14,045,433 AlbumArt.dat
4 File(s) 15,473,401 bytes
2 Dir(s) 23,239,753,728 bytes free

 

[esmBOS]

I'm thinking about getting an AK100 + ALO National. This would solve the impedance issue and give me ability to drive basically anything OTG. I'm on the fence about buying a RWAK100, and I would have use of the National with other gear that really need amplification. The footprint match of the AK100 and the National is basically identical and they are small units so I don't think the setup would be too bulky for portable use. What do you guys think about this? Price wise it's about the same as RWAK anyways. Appreciate your input!

 

[ExpatinJapan]

Quote:

I'm thinking about getting an AK100 + ALO National. This would solve the impedance issue .......

Whats the output impedance of the National?...(.and the Continental?).

 

[esmBOS]

Quote:

Whats the output impedance of the National?...(.and the Continental?).

 
Damn... And I was sure I had read somewhere that The National had <1Ohm output impedance 

 Back to researching... And thank you for the pointer!

 

[bmichels]

Little question about the 1.3 upgraed :
 
The "Sync" app from iRiver only works under WINDOWS.  So it is possible to upgrade a AK100 firmware with a MAC Computer ?  How ?  
 
thanks in advance
 
 
Aside question : have you noticed a different sound signature with the 1.3 ?   Does ALAC sound as good as the FLAC files ?

 

[shotgunshane]

On Mac, just download the firmware file and copy it to the ak100. Once you disconnect the ak100, it will automatically perform the update.

There should be no sound differences between ALAC and FLAC.

 

[bmichels]

"On Mac, just download the firmware file and copy it to the ak100". On Thanks. But in which ak100 's folder do i copy it ? In thé root ?