Upgrading from AK 240

Aug 21, 2024 at 11:03 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 12

xrobbo

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Hello there,
I want to replace my AK 240 and I’m looking for something in the same league.

I have a first, perhaps silly, question. Any chance that I could obtain the same quality level from a smartphone + dongle configuration? If yes, what is the key factor from the smartphone side to consider?
I know nothing about dongles and have no idea of the level of sound quality that can be attained (and the extent to which this depends from the smartphone one uses).

Otherwise, any particular suggestion? I've not been following the DAP market in the last years o I'm not very much updated on what has been going on lately.
So maybe you can help me here.


I’d prefer a DAP with balanced output, not too heavy/bulky (the size of the AK 240 is just fine). Will be used only with IEMs so no need of lots of power.

Thanks in advance.
 
Aug 21, 2024 at 12:04 PM Post #2 of 12
Is the K240 one of the newer 55-Ohm version or older 600-Ohm version?
Budget for new headphones?
 
Aug 21, 2024 at 6:00 PM Post #6 of 12
All the stuff I've had from Astrall & Kern delivers. Not the cheapest, but intuitive controls and they really pack the features in a small package. For headphones the AKG K371 would be a fun upgrade. I have another pair coming tomorrow, easy to drive and bassist really there when a song calls for it.
 
Aug 21, 2024 at 8:49 PM Post #7 of 12
I want to replace my AK 240 and I’m looking for something in the same league.
I have a first, perhaps silly, question. Any chance that I could obtain the same quality level from a smartphone + dongle configuration? If yes, what is the key factor from the smartphone side to consider?
I know nothing about dongles and have no idea of the level of sound quality that can be attained (and the extent to which this depends from the smartphone one uses).
Otherwise, any particular suggestion? I've not been following the DAP market in the last years o I'm not very much updated on what has been going on lately.
So maybe you can help me here.
I’d prefer a DAP with balanced output, not too heavy/bulky (the size of the AK 240 is just fine). Will be used only with IEMs so no need of lots of power.
Dongle, with IEMs.
I would assume(?) that IEMs with a low impedance (Ohms) would not benefit much from a balanced headphone jack.
Some USB dongle, like the Ibasso-DC-06 ($120?) is what I would hook to the USB port, on my smartphone.
 
Aug 21, 2024 at 9:28 PM Post #8 of 12
Hello there,
I want to replace my AK 240 and I’m looking for something in the same league.

I have a first, perhaps silly, question. Any chance that I could obtain the same quality level from a smartphone + dongle configuration? If yes, what is the key factor from the smartphone side to consider?
I know nothing about dongles and have no idea of the level of sound quality that can be attained (and the extent to which this depends from the smartphone one uses).

Otherwise, any particular suggestion? I've not been following the DAP market in the last years o I'm not very much updated on what has been going on lately.
So maybe you can help me here.


I’d prefer a DAP with balanced output, not too heavy/bulky (the size of the AK 240 is just fine). Will be used only with IEMs so no need of lots of power.

Thanks in advance.

What head gear do you primarily listen to connected to the A&K?
 
Aug 22, 2024 at 2:15 AM Post #10 of 12
with a pair of 64 audio IEMs (model A6). this is a unit that will be used almost exclusively outside, so size matters. I've seen that most of today's audio players (A&K) included are bigger than my old AK240.
Okay. Are you going to use any of the streaming sources, or will it be exclusive with a library of locally stored digital tracks?
 
Aug 22, 2024 at 7:58 AM Post #12 of 12
From what i have been reading so far, perhaps the best option is the A&K SP1000M. Clearly an improvement on my AK240, same sound signature, reasonably small.
but I may have missed something out there that fits even better.
 

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