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Key Features
- AK4490's Single DAC-DAC
- DSD-to-PCM Playback
- Parametric EQ with 20bands 0.01dB
- 200 Femto Second VCXO Reference Clock
- Exceptional Expandability
Astell & Kern AK300 Midnight Black 64GB High-Resolution Audio Player - Nearly New Overview
The AK300 is the embodiment of purity and timelessness of music. Its design was inspired by the flagship AK380 music player, continuing the "light and shadow" motif found in the entire Astell & Kern product line. The AK240 captured a moment in time at which light had ceased to move, while the AK380 expressed the perpetuity of moving light. Now, the AK300 represents the purity of a shadow as it reflects no light. The essence of a shadow without being split by light was captured in a restrained yet immaculate shape, and this exemplifies the purity of the original studio sound that only Astell & Kern can deliver.
Nearly New: This product may have been opened for quality control purposes, returned by a customer, refurbished, or may have non-essential parts or software missing. Otherwise, the product operates as new. This is a great opportunity to buy a fully functioning product at a discounted price, supplied with a one-year warranty.
Product Ref: 206894
Full Description
View Full Description- AK4490's Single DAC-DAC
- DSD-to-PCM Playback
- Parametric EQ with 20bands 0.01dB
- 200 Femto Second VCXO Reference Clock
- Exceptional Expandability
- DLNA-based AK Connect App
- Metal Touch Sensor Home Button
24bit 192kHz Bit To Bit Playback
AK300 is capable of bit-to-bit playback up to 24bit, 192kHz. 32bit audio is downsampled using a sample-rate converter (SRC). In addition, DSD 64/128 can be played back via conversion to PCM.* 32bit, 384kHz is downsampled to 24bit, 192kHz, and 32bit, 352kHz is downsampled to 24bit, 176kHz for playback.* DSD 64/128 is converted via DSD-to-PCM to PCM 24bit, 176kHz for playback.
PEQ (Parametric EQ)
A parametric equalizer (PEQ*1) was implemented in the AK380 to deliver detailed adjustment of the original sound, and an audio digital signal processor (DSP) was added to aid in this process. This frees up CPU cycles previously needed for calculating graphic equalizers (GEQ), allowing more detailed and accurate calculations via the dedicated DSP. The audio DSP expands the existing 10-band, ±0.5 dB graphic equalizer (GEQ*2) to 20-band, ±0.01 dB to more precisely adjust the frequency and gain (dB) as well as more accurately specifying the frequency range via Q value adjustments.
What is Parametric Equalisation
Parametric equalisation refers to the ability to increase or decrease the volume within the Q value range. A Q value is a frequency range relative to a selected frequency. The frequency range decreases when the Q value increases and vice versa.
What is Graphic Equalisation
Graphic equalisation divides the audible frequency register into several registers and increases or decreases the level of each register with a volume slider to adjust the respective frequency's characteristics. The switches of the volume slider are connected like a graph to visually determine the frequency characteristics, hence the name "graphic equaliser."
Equipped With a Femto Clock to Deliver True Original Sound
Astell & Kern implemented a voltage-controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) high-precision clock with a reference jitter value of 200 femto seconds*3. Femto clocks are commonly used in high-end audio systems, and the clock is measured in high-precision femtosecond units (one quadrillionth of a second).
What is VCXO?
A VCXO, or a voltage-controlled crystal oscillator, is a type of crystal oscillation device that creates oscillation frequencies. External environmental stimuli, which in this case mean voltage inputs, influence the frequency value. Adjustments to the voltage input tunes a precise frequency value.
What is Jitter?
Jitter refers to the undesired deviation in time that occurs in a periodic signal. In this case, jitter is the error that occurs in the reference clock required to perform the sampling in digital audio equipment. By utilising a femto clock, the AK300 is able to create a more accurate frequency value and make fine jitter corrections. As a result, the AK300 faithfully reproduces analogue sound closer than ever to the original source when transmitting a digital signal as an analogue signal.
USB DAC
The AK300 supports USB DAC functionality. The AK300 can be connected to a PC or Mac via USB for use as a USB DAC that supports PCM/DSD. When playing back music stored on a PC or Mac, the Single-DAC is able to deliver richer audio of outstanding sound stage and resolution well beyond the limits of a built-in sound card.
AK Connect App
Astell&Kern has further enhanced DLNA functionality via the AK Connect app. Wireless networking DLNA (version 1.0) connects to a NAS or PC, and is easily controlled with a smartphone or tablet through AK Connect. Source files on a PC or NAS can be freely transferred and streamed without the hassle of turning on the computer and physically connecting with a cable.If on the same access point (AP) network, music files on a PC or NAS can be played back via DLNA.
General Specifications
| Model | AK300 |
|---|---|
| Body Colour | Midnight Black |
| Body Material | Aluminum |
| Display | 4inch WVGA (480 x 800) Touchscreen |
| Supported Audio Formats | 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 |
| Output Level | Unbalance 1.98Vrms / Balance 1.98Vrms (Condition No Load) |
| DAC | AKM AK4490 x1 (Single DAC) |
| Decoding | Support up to 24bit / 192kHz Bit to Bit Decoding |
| Input | 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) |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz) |
| Bluetooth | 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] |
| Weight | 7.23 oz (205 g) |
| Feature Enhancements | Firmware upgrades supported (OTA) |
| Clock Jitter | 30ps(Typ) |
| Reference Clock Jitter | 200 Femto Seconds |
| Battery Capacity | 3,100mAh 3.7V Li-Polymer Battery |
| Built-in Memory | 64GB [NAND] |
| External Memory | MicroSD (Max 128GB) x1 |
| Supported OS | Windows XP, Windows 7,8,10 (32/64bit), MAC OS X 10.7 and up |
Audio Performace
| Frequency Response | ±0.075dB (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 |
| Crosstalk | 130dB @ 1kHz, Unbalance / 130dB @ 1kHz, Balance |
| THD+N | 0.0008% @ 1kHz, Unbalance / 0.0007% @ 1kHz, Balance |
| IMD SMPTE | 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) |
