Astell&Kern AK300 DAP and AK Recorder Released – See Specs, Features and Price
Astell&Kern recently announced a new portable digital audio player (DAP), the AK300. The Astell&Kern AK300 is the entry level among the 300 series. It features the same design and concept as the higher end AK320, but the AK300 has less brass. The company is using the same AK4490 DAC used in the AK320 and AK380, but only in a single DAC configuration. Well, basically you can say that the AK300 is a trimmed down version of the AK320. They do share the same body design, functionality and capability. Aside from the AK300, the company also released the AK Recorder; an add-on module for the AK 300-series DAP that is capable of recording up to 5.6MHz DSD format. The AK Recorder is basically marketed towards pro audio application.
Astell&Kern AK300 DAP – Enjoy the Music
As mentioned earlier, the AK300 is like the twin of the AK320, only in a darker color. But place them side by side and they’ll look like black and white, ebony and ivory. At the heart of the AK300 is the AK4490 DAC, also used in AK320 but only in single DAC configuration.
The AK300 supports PCM up to 24bit 192kHz bit to bit and DSD62/128 formats. It also supports and features DSD-to-PCM playback, Parametric Equalizer with 20 bands 0.01dB, 200 Femto Second voltage-controlled crystal oscillator reference clock, exceptional expandability, DLNA-based AK Connect app, the same metal touch sensor home button and can also be used as USB DAC (maximum of 24bit 96kHz).
The AK300 DAP has an internal storage capacity of 64GB and has only 1x microSD card slot for expansion. It is powered by a 3,100mAh Li-Polymer battery. The AK300 comes with a retail price is $899 and should become available starting end of May.
Optional expansion modules like the AK AMP, Recorder, Cradle and CD-Ripper are all compatible with the AK300.
AK300 vs AK320 vs AK380 – Specifications
| Specifications | AK300 | AK320 | AK380/AK380 Copper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body Color | Midnight Black | Gun Metal | AK380 : Meteoric Titan, Black / AK380 Copper : Copper |
| Body Material | Aluminum | Aluminum | AK380 : Aircraft Grade Duralumin / AK380 Copper : Copper |
| Display | 4inch WVGA (480 x 800) Touchscreen | 4inch WVGA (480 x 800) Touchscreen | 4inch WVGA (480 x 800) Touchscreen |
| Supported Audio Formats | WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE(Normal, High, Fast), AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF | WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE(Normal, High, Fast), AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF | WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE(Normal, High, Fast), AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF |
| Sample rate | PCM : 8kHz ~ 192kHz (8/16/24bits per Sample) DSD : DSD64, Stereo / DSD128, Stereo | PCM : 8kHz ~ 192kHz (8/16/24bits per Sample) DSD : DSD64, Stereo / DSD128, Stereo | PCM : 8kHz ~ 384kHz (8/16/24/32bits per Sample) / DSD Native: DSD64(1bit 2.8MHz), Stereo / DSD128(1bit 5.6MHz), Stereo / DSD256(1bit 11.2MHz), Stereo |
| Output Level | Unbalance 1.98Vrms / Balance 1.98Vrms (Condition No Load) | Unbalance 2.2Vrms / Balance 2.3Vrms (Condition No Load) | Unbalance 2.2Vrms / Balance 2.3Vrms (Condition No Load) |
| DAC | AKM AK4490 x1 (Single DAC) | AKM AK4490 x2 (Dual DAC) | AKM AK4490 x2 (Dual DAC) |
| Decoding | Support up to 24bit / 192kHz Bit to Bit Decoding | Support up to 24bit / 192kHz Bit to Bit Decoding | Support up to 32bit / 384kHz Bit to Bit Decoding |
| Input | USB Micro-B input (for charging & data transfer (PC & MAC)) / Connection Mode : MTP (Media Device) | USB Micro-B input (for charging & data transfer (PC & MAC)) / Connection Mode : MTP (Media Device) | USB Micro-B input (for charging & data transfer (PC & MAC)) / Connection Mode : MTP (Media Device) |
| Outputs | PHONES (3.5mm) / Optical Out (3.5mm) / Balanced Out (2.5mm, only 4-pole supported) | PHONES (3.5mm) / Optical Out (3.5mm) / Balanced Out (2.5mm, only 4-pole supported) | PHONES (3.5mm) / Optical Out (3.5mm) / Balanced Out (2.5mm, only 4-pole supported) |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz) | 802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz) | 802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz) |
| Bluetooth | V4.0 (A2DP, AVRCP, aptX) | V4.0 (A2DP, AVRCP, aptX) | V4.0 (A2DP, AVRCP, aptX) |
| Dimensions | 2.95 ”(75.15 mm) [W] x 4.42 ”(112.4 mm) [H] x 0.60 ”(15.45 mm) [D] | 2.95 ”(75.15 mm) [W] x 4.42 ”(112.4 mm) [H] x 0.64 ”(16.45 mm) [D] | 3.14 ”(79.8 mm) [W] x 4.42 ”(112.4 mm) [H] x 0.70 ”(17.9 mm) [D] |
| Weight | 7.23 oz (205 g) | 7.65 oz (217 g) | AK380 : 8.11 oz (230 g) / AK380 Copper : 12.35 oz (350 g) |
| Feature Enhancements | Firmware upgrades supported (OTA) | Firmware upgrades supported (OTA) | Firmware upgrades supported (OTA) |
| Audio Performance | |||
| Frequency Response | ±0.075dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalance & Balance ±0.56dB (Condition: 10Hz~70kHz) Unbalance / ±0.55dB (Condition: 10Hz~70kHz) Balance | ±0.053dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalance & Balance ±0.56dB (Condition: 10Hz~70kHz) Unbalance / ±0.55dB (Condition: 10Hz~70kHz) Balance | ±0.053dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalance & Balance ±0.56dB (Condition: 10Hz~70kHz) Unbalance / ±0.55dB (Condition: 10Hz~70kHz) Balance |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | 116dB @ 1kHz, Unbalance / 116dB @ 1kHz, Balance | 116dB @ 1kHz, Unbalance / 117dB @ 1kHz, Balance | 116dB @ 1kHz, Unbalance / 117dB @ 1kHz, Balance |
| Crosstalk | 130dB @ 1kHz, Unbalance / 130dB @ 1kHz, Balance | 130dB @ 1kHz, Unbalance / 135dB @ 1kHz, Balance | 130dB @ 1kHz, Unbalance / 135dB @ 1kHz, Balance |
| THD+N | 0.0008% @ 1kHz, Unbalance / 0.0007% @ 1kHz, Balance | 0.0008% @ 1kHz, Unbalance / 0.0007% @ 1kHz, Balance | 0.0008% @ 1kHz, Unbalance / 0.0007% @ 1kHz, Balance |
| IMD SMPTE | 0.0007% 800Hz 10kHz(4:1) Unbalance / 0.0006% 800Hz 10kHz(4:1) Balance | 0.0007% 800Hz 10kHz(4:1) Unbalance / 0.0006% 800Hz 10kHz(4:1) Balance | 0.0007% 800Hz 10kHz(4:1) Unbalance / 0.0006% 800Hz 10kHz(4:1) Balance |
| Output Impedance | Balanced out 2.5mm (1ohm) / PHONES 3.5mm (2ohm) | Balanced out 2.5mm (1ohm) / PHONES 3.5mm (2ohm) | Balanced out 2.5mm (1ohm) / PHONES 3.5mm (2ohm) |
| Clock source | |||
| Clock Jitter | 30ps(Typ) | 30ps(Typ) | 30ps(Typ) |
| Reference Clock Jitter | 200 Femto Seconds | 200 Femto Seconds | 200 Femto Seconds |
| Battery Capacity | 3,100mAh 3.7V Li-Polymer Battery | 3,400mAh 3.7V Li-Polymer Battery | 3,400mAh 3.7V Li-Polymer Battery |
| Built-in Memory | 64GB [NAND] | 128GB [NAND] | 256GB [NAND] |
| External Memory | microSD (Max 128GB) x1 | microSD (Max 128GB) x1 | microSD (Max 128GB) x1 |
| Supported OS | Windows XP, Windows 7,8,10 (32/64bit), MAC OS X 10.7 and up | ||
Editor’s note: At $899, the AK300 souds like a good deal considering that its bigger brothers are far more expensive. But how does it par with other DAPs that are priced below $899. The Pioneer XDP-100R and Onkyo DP-X1 are very attractive and competitive DAPs as well. I just hope I can review one soon. In the meantime you can check out some of the best DAPs currently available here.
Astell&Kern AK Recorder
Aside from the new AK300, Astell&Kern also announced the AK Recorder. It’s basically an accessory / recorder that goes with an AK 300-series DAP. It’s capable of recording DSD 5.6MHz; has mic in (obviously) with support for 48V phantom power and supports professional-grade microphones.
Other than the line in, the AK Recorder also has AES/EBU inputs for digital signal recording from studio consoles or other similar digital sources. It comes with a handy remote control via WiFi, a mic and preamp gain control; various recording options like digital limiter, low-cut filters, pre-recording, peak-hold and more.
The AK Recorder will also have an optional stereo recording kit developed in collaboration with Danish Professional Audio. The kit includes microphones, stands and cases, and they are sold separately. No pricing yet on the AK Recorder, but expect that this is going to be another expensive accessory.
Astell&Kern AK Recorder Specifications
| Specifications | AK Recorder / PRF11 |
|---|---|
| Body Color | Meteoric Titan |
| Body Material | Aluminum |
| Recording Channel | 2 channel, Stereo recording |
| Audio Inputs | mini XLR 3pin type MIC/LINE x2(L/R), AES3 x1(L), 3.5mm MIC/LINE x1 |
| mini XLR 3pin map | 1 : Ground(G) / 2 : Positive(+) / 3 : Negative(-) |
| Key Interface | MIC / LINE1 / AES3 select key x1, MIC2 / LINE2 select key x1, Phantom Power select key x1 (off / 5V / 48V) |
| Battery | 4,700mAh 3.7V Li-Polymer Battery |
| Continuous Recording Time | about 4hours (24bit/96kHz WAV, External Mic & Phantom Power 48V) |
| Dimensions | 3.17 ”(80.7 mm) [W] x 5.01 ”(127.4 mm) [H] x 1.17 ”(29.9 mm) [D] |
| Weight | 8.85 oz (251 g) |
| Audio Performance | |
| Recording Bit Rate | WAV : 16 / 24 / 32bit, DSD64, DSD128 |
| Sampling Frequency | 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4 / 192 / 352 / 384kHz |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz ~ 40kHz |
| A/D Dynamic Range | 113dB A-weighted bandwidth |
| Equivalent Input Noise | MIC : -126dBu, 150ohm source, A-weighted filter |
| THD+N | MIC : 0.0004% max (1kHz, -15dBu) / LINE : 0.0006% max (1kHz, -15dBu) |
| Gain | MIC : 9 to 60dB, 3.0dB increments / LINE : -96 to 22dB, 0.5dB increments |
| Low Cut Filters | 40 ~ 240Hz in 10Hz steps @ 6,12,18,24dB/oct |
| Compressor & Limiter | 0 ~ -10dBFS, 1:2 ~ 1:20; Limiter, 1~1,000ms attack time, 10~2,000ms release time |
| Phantom Power | 5V / 48V |
| DPA SC4061 MIC | |
| Directional Pattern | Omnidirectional |
| Frequency Range | 20Hz~20kHz |
| Sensitivity, nominal, ±3dB at 1kHz | 6mV/Pa; -44dB re. 1V/Pa |
| Equivalent noise level, A-weighted | Typ. 26dB(A) re. 20µPa(max. 28dB(A)) |
| S/N ratio(A-weighted), re. 1kHz at 1Pa(94dB SPL) | 68dB(A) |
| Total harmonic distortion(THD) | < 1% THD up to 123dB SPL peak; < 1% THD up to 120dB SPL RMS sine |
| Dynamic range | Typ. 97dB |
| Max. SPL, peak before clipping | 144dB |
| Power supply | Phantom Power 5V |
| Microphone diameter | 0.21 ”(5.4 mm) |
| Microphone length | 0.5 ”(12.7 mm) |
| Cable length | 5.9 ft(1.8 m) |
| Weight | 0.26 oz(7.5 g) |
| Temperature range | -40°F to 113°F(-40°C to 45°C) |
What do you think of the Onkyo DP-X1? I’m looking at either the AK300, AK 320, or Onkyo DP-X1. The specs on the Onkyo DP-X1 seem impressive. Thank You!
Hi Eric. The Onkyo DP-X1 sounds really impressive based on paper. Sound performance and feature wise they are very good. The AK300 and AK320 on the other hand, you get a good solid performing DAP, great design but no full android functionality unlike the DP-X1.
In terms of sound quality, it’s a little bit subjective so better audition them first. If it was up to me, I’d go for the Onkyo due to price/performance/features. But I like the look and feel of the AK DAPs, specially the 300 series.
Good luck! 🙂