Astell&Kern Buying Guide to DAPs, IEMs & More
Read Time: Approx. 16 min.
Discover the Leaders in Portable HiFi Audio - Not just your average MP3 players
Astell&Kern is a company whose name tells a story. Astell means "star" in Greek, and Kern means "core“ in German. Together, these words refer to the company's aim to continuously reach for the core of music — the "original sound." The name Astell&Kern speaks to the company's obsession with fidelity, ensuring the listener hears music exactly as the artist intended. With modern metals, sharp edges, and sleek designs, Astell&Kern products look like the future. High-end portable audio is something Astell&Kern does exceedingly well, and they have some of the best products out there.
Why Astell&Kern?
Here at Moon Audio, we vet every manufacturer we carry because we want to provide our customers with brands that we support and are proud to use ourselves. Carrying Astell&Kern products was a no-brainer for Moon Audio Owner and Founder Drew Baird, P.E., who says the company's products are reliable, simple to use, and innovative .
"Why Astell&Kern? Reliability, simple to use, innovative, and a great price-to-performance ratio. I actually like that Astell&Kern uses a closed, modified Android operating system. There's always at the forefront of innovation before anybody else. I mean, they were the first digital audio player to come out with a 2.5mm balanced output and now they have transitioned nicely to the 4.4mm, but kept the 2.5mm for folks that purchased a large stash of headphones and IEMs that utilize that connector," said Drew Baird, P.E.
History of Astell&Kern
In 2012, a South Korean home electronics company called iRiver (now known as Dreamus) debuted the AK100 portable media player, an MP3 player for high-resolution audio. It was dubbed an "iPod on steroids." It cost $699, and it prompted questions like, "What does a $700 iPod sound like?" The answer was that it sounded really good, despite its price tag and lack of features like wi-fi. Later that year, after releasing the AKR01 in-ear monitor, iRiver launched Astell&Kern as a subsidiary.
"We use the power of music to change your life." -Astell&Kern
Astell&Kern is dedicated to delivering best-in-class high-resolution audio devices for the playback of MQS (Mastering Quality Sound) studio-quality audio. Combining design and engineering excellence, craftsmanship and high-quality materials with state-of-the-art audio technology, Astell&Kern's range of award-winning portable music players and IEMs deliver the ultimate listening experiences.
What Makes Astell&Kern Different?
Astell&Kern products stylistically stand out from the crowd with their modern metals aesthetic, sharp edges, and sleek designs. AK digital music players look like the future. The company is best known for portable high-end music players, or hi-res “iPods.” As consumers learn about the need for higher resolution music files to feed our high-quality media players, those made by Astell&Kern have thrived.
We think Astell&Kern makes some of the best music players in the world. Plus, their technology is easy to learn and navigate as a newbie or a technology wizard. If you love to listen to music “on the go” and want hi-fi sound, AK digital audio players (DAPs) are essential listening gear with Mastering Quality Sound (MQS).
MQS includes high-resolution digital music recording formats from 16-bit/44.1kHz to 24-bit/192kHz. Sound engineering tech-speak can be confusing. More is usually better. Higher amounts of information can mean better sound with crisper highs and fuller lows (bass). The trick is to process and play as much information as possible or as much information as your recordings started with in the first place. Playing all the high-res information captured during the music recording process is Astell&Kern’s expertise.
Astell&Kern Technology
TERATON ALPHA
TERATON ALPHA is AK's ultimate Sound Solution to produce audio playback that is close to the original sound through the use of effective power noise removal, efficient power consumption and amplification without compromise through the audio output interface.Many people think “It is the DAC that determines the sound in the DAP, and in the end, if you use the same DAC, the sound will be similar for each product.” The DAC does play a large part of the sound signature in a DAP, but it's not the only factor that determines the level of sound.
DAPs can be largely divided into three sections: power, amplifier, and interface.
- Power: Astell&Kern's audio technology effectively removes power noise and converts the signal, which is essential to the power of the audio.
- Amplifier: The reason why the same DAC produces different sound signatures is because of differences in amp design. A&K's advanced AMP technology features efficient power consumption and powerful amplification that delivers performance without compromise.
- Interface: The audio interface that converts digital signals to analog and outputs then is composed of technology developed by AK that has been enhanced over the years.
TERATON ALPHA features Astell&Kern's patented technologies that are the result of tens of thousands of hours of continuous research and development to produce sound close to the original sound the artist and producer intended.
Astell&Kern Features
Streaming with Your Astell&Kern DAP
Music streaming with your Astell&Kern DAP is incredibly easy with a wide variety of streaming services available on the Astell&Kern Open APP Service. The Open APP service allows you to install specific APK music streaming apps to your device. Open App supports the following streaming services:
Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora, SoundCloud, TuneIn Radio, myTuner, Sirius XM, DS Audio, Bandcamp, Melon, Bugs, Music Mate, AWA, QQ Music, KK BOX, KT genie, Joox, and MOOV.
Please refer to our Astell&Kern support blog for the entire list of Astell&Kern products that support the Open APP service.
Roon Endpoints
For those who enjoy streaming with Roon, the good news is that newer AK players are Roon Ready.
What is Roon? Roon is a rich and engaging way to browse, organize, and listen to music. Artist photos, credits, bios, reviews, lyrics, tour dates, and composers are located automatically and then interconnected by links to build a surfable digital magazine. Roon is also a multi-room, multi-user networked audio platform offering features such as bit-perfect playback, DSD and PCM upsampling, multichannel support, and Signal Path display.
What is Roon Ready? Roon Ready network devices have Roon's streaming technology built in, and are certified by Roon Labs to provide the highest level of quality and performance in network streaming. Being Roon Ready means that Astell&Kern players transparently discover and connect to Roon without any configuration, and bit-perfect audio is delivered from Roon to the player. This allows you to stream music from your device using Roon as your music management and playback engine.
Astell&Kern + Roon: How to Set Up Your Music Player as a Roon Endpoint
AK Roon Ready Devices:
- ACRO CA1000 Music Player
- ACRO CA1000T Music Player
- KANN ALPHA DAP
- KANN MAX DAP
- KANN ULTRA DAP
- SR35 DAP
- PD5 DAP
- PD10 DAP
- PD20 DAP
- PEE51 DAC
- SE180 DAP
- SE200 DAP
- SE300 DAP
- SP1000 DAP
- SP100M DAP
- SP2000 DAP
- SP2000T DAP
- SP3000 DAP
- SP3000M DAP
- SP3000T DAP
- SP4000 DAP
- SP4000T DAP
Astell&Kern Music Players/ DAPs
Astell&Kern Music Players/ DAPs at Moon Audio
A&ultima — Be the Ultimate.
A&ultima is the flagship AK line, combining the best specifications, high technology, and superior functionality.
SP4000T DAP Music Player
The A&ultima SP4000T DAP sits at the top of AK's lineup as the company's new flagship, building on the SP3000T's foundation and improving on every aspect. The jump from two tubes to four, three-tube modes, second-generation anti-microphonic architecture, and the upgraded HEXA DAC layout are just a few of the SP4000T's noteworthy qualities.
But beyond the specs and engineering achievements, what makes the SP4000T truly special is how effortlessly it adapts to the listener rather than demanding that the listener adapt to it. Whether you're deep into critical listening sessions or simply unwinding with a playlist that jumps between hip-hop, jazz, and acoustic, there's a mode built for that moment.
Sound: Detailed, Rich,
Standout Genres: Pop, Indie/Alternative, Country, EDM, Hip-Hop
SP4000 DAP Music Player
The A&ultima SP4000 DAP is Astell&Kern's new flagship digital audio player, delivering a sound experience that's refined, powerful, and remarkably close to perfection. As part of the A&ultima series–Astell&Kern’s flagship lineup combining cutting-edge technology and top-tier specifications—the SP4000 surpasses the boundaries set by the A&ultima SP3000 DAP, once regarded as the ultimate audiophile reference music player.
The SP4000 DAP is the result of three years of relentless research and innovation following the development of the SP3000. Built upon an advanced Octa audio circuit architecture with true Quad DAC implementation, the SP4000 surpasses the boundaries set by the SP3000, delivering an exceptional 131dB SNR.
Sound: Accurate, Detailed, Natural
Standout Genres: Acoustic, Indie/Alternative, Country, Pop
SP3000T DAP Music Player
Introducing the first tube vacuum DAP to Astell&Kern's prestigious A&ultima flagship player line: the SP3000T. This cutting-edge Digital Audio Player (DAP) boasts a revolutionary Vacuum Tube Amp, setting a new standard for portable audio excellence. Astell&Kern, renowned for their commitment to delivering uncompromising sound quality and exceptional design, has once again pushed the boundaries of portable audio with the SP3000T. This high-end DAP features a state-of-the-art Vacuum Tube Amp, harnessing the rich, warm sound signature that audiophiles covet. This exciting new DAP represents the pinnacle of portable audio technology, embodying Astell&Kern's dedication to innovation and craftsmanship.
Sound: Tube warmth, great imaging & layering
Standout Genres: Rock, Electronica, R&B, Pop
SP3000M Digital Audio Player
Astell&Kern's most portable DAP yet, the SP3000M delivers exceptional playback and performance in a lightweight, compact form factor. As the predecessor to the Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000, the SP3000M retains many of the premium features like the Snapdragon 6125 Octa-Core processor, Digital Audio Remaster Technology (DAR), and TERATON ALPHA Sound Solution. With 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs and support for many audio formats like LDAC, FLAC, and WAV the SP3000M is a highly versatile digital audio player capable of Native DSD512 and 32-bit/768kHz PCM.
The SP3000M features Astell&Kern’s flagship DAC chip AK4499EX from AKM, delivering a sound quality that’s detailed, dynamic, and balanced. Combined with the HEXA-Audio Circuitry Structure and DAR upsampling, the SP3000M flexes its hi-fi muscle producing incredible imaging, layering, and a soundstage fit for an audiophile’s discerning ears. From the craftsmanship to the high-quality included leather case and 10-hour battery life, the SP3000M is an incredibly versatile music player that integrates seamlessly into your daily life, complimenting your favorite IEMs and headphones of various impedances. Meet your perfect portable audio companion and start enjoying some higher fidelity with the Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000M DAP.
Sound: Rich, Dynamic, Detailed
Standout Genres: Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop
SP3000 DAP Music Player
The Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000 DAP Music Player is the newest flagship product that has set the standard for high-quality sound using the latest innovative technology in the A&ultima series. Not only does the SP3000 use the latest DAC with HEXA-Audio Circuitry, but it also features the innovative audio technology of TERATON ALPHA, AK's Ultimate Sound Solution, which has been refined for the SP3000. With the newly developed UX/UI, the SP3000 is focused on the process and experience of listening to music.
The SP3000 is the world's first DAP to use 904L stainless steel material, transforming it from just a digital device to a luxury good. 904L stainless steel is harder than general stainless steel, making the SP3000 incredibly durable and corrosion-resistant. The new HEXA DAC circuitry delivers a rich, dynamic listening experience that's evident in the layering, imaging, and textures. Songs have more energy with tons of resolution and great bottom-end weight and definition that's sure to appeal to audiophiles and music lovers. The sound quality, craftsmanship, and technology of the SP3000 raise the bar for Astell&Kern's flagship-level DAPs.
Sound: Dynamic, Rich, Layered
Standout Genres: Classic Rock, Pop, Country
PD Series
The Astell&Kern PD Series emphasizes flexibility and user control, offering a fresh way to experience music beyond traditional boundaries.
Engineered for effortless portability, the Astell&Kern PD5 Digital Audio Player delivers music with total freedom and comfort, without ever compromising on performance or sound quality. Designed to fit comfortably in one hand, the PD5 combines a compact form factor with all-day battery life, going far beyond the physical limits of its size to deliver Astell&Kern's signature sound: deep, detailed, and rich. It's the perfect harmony of portability and high performance, bringing the ultimate audio experience into your everyday life.
Sonically, the PD5 echoes the same signature sound as the SR35 DAP, but does so at a notably higher level, thanks in part to its four additional DAC chips. Compared to the PD10's surprisingly warm, lush signature, the PD5 leans natural and authentic. It doesn't include the PD20's Personal Sound Studio, but between Dual Drive Mode and its inherently natural tuning, it doesn't need to.
Sound: Musical, Natural, Detailed
Standout Genres: Acoustic, Pop, R&B, Rock, Jazz
PD10 Digital Audio Player
The Astell&Kern PD10 Digital Audio Player represents a bold new direction in product design and innovation as the first DAP suitable for portable and home audio use. With a dedicated docking cradle, the PD10 transforms into a music streamer, integrating seamlessly into your two-channel setup. While its design echoes the Astell&Kern ACRO-CA1000T All-In-One Head-Fi Audio System, the PD10 stands tall as an ultra-portable music player, built for two worlds–on the go and at home.
The PD10 DAP offers a sound quality distinctly different from anything we've heard from Astell&Kern in the past–one that's warm and lush without sacrificing detail retrieval and nuance. With three amp modes and an impressive quad-DAC configuration, the PD10 can handle the performance needs of your favorite headphones, IEMs, and speakers. You get to decide how you listen, from the DAC filters and amp modes to the docking cradle and linear form factor, the functionality of the PD10 DAP is limitless.
Sound: Warm, Lush, Dynamic
Standout Genres: Pop, EDM, R&B, Rock
PD20 Digital Audio Player
The Astell&Kern PD20 DAP is the first DAP to offer a hearing test-based sound profile, and it pairs that personalization with Quad-DAC engineering, triple AMP flexibility, and a physical control layout that was clearly designed by people who actually use this gear. You're not choosing between what it does and what it costs. You're just choosing whether you want it. Through Personal Sound, you can create a sound signature tailored to your hearing, then precisely refine it to your taste using the Sound Master Wheel. An intuitive control that allows even the amplifier driving mode to be changed with a single touch. Now, music is not just something you listen to. It is something you shape.
The PD20 doesn't sit alongside your collection as another purchase. It elevates the collection you already have. That's the real value of the PD20. The fact that this high-end device makes everything else you own better makes the case for itself. In fact, it makes every other DAP at this price look like a compromise.
Sound: Dynamic, Detailed, Smooth
Standout Genres: Pop, EDM, R&B, Rock, Indie/Alternative
Headphones & IEMs
Popular with performing artists and audiophiles, in-ear monitors, or IEMs, are a fantastic option for people who want the fidelity of full-size headphones with the portability and convenience of earbuds. While Astell&Kern is primarily known for their digital audio players, they have come out with several fine IEMs over the years that echo the design elements and sound quality of their DAPs. Astell&Kern has teamed up with other audio manufacturers for many of their IEMs, including Empire Ears, JH Audio, Beyerdynamic, and Campfire Audio. They also collaborated on a full-size headphone with Beyerdynamic.
The Clarus 9-Driver Tribrid IEMs are the fourth model in Astell&Kern's IEM series. It's built on a 9-driver tribrid design: a proprietary 9mm dynamic driver, seven Sonion balanced armatures, and a silicon MEMS tweeter, all tied together by a six-way crossover. Each driver works only in its own range. The dynamic driver brings sub-bass depth and natural weight, the balanced armatures handle midrange and treble detail, and the MEMS tweeter adds lightning-fast precision up top. The result is clarity spread evenly across the whole spectrum, with no single frequency pushed forward. Housed in a CNC-machined aerospace-grade aluminum shell and paired with a custom Effect Audio cable, AZLA SE2000 ear tips, and a Saffiano leather case, the Clarus is for listeners who want sound faithful to the original recording. Hear every note as the artist intended with the Astell&Kern Clarus IEMs.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: Silver Dragon IEM V2
The Luna IEMs prove that one driver can do it all. At its heart is the Katabiki, a 13mm Unipolar Micro Planar Magnetic driver developed with Japanese specialist MADOO. It delivers lightning-fast response, exceptional resolution, and a natural timbre. The sound is natural and neutral-leaning but never boring, with a wide, deep soundstage that makes you forget you're wearing IEMs. Bass is punchy and quick, and the midrange is where vocals come alive. Handcrafted in Japan with a moon-inspired titanium housing, the Luna is one of the most comfortable IEMs for long listening sessions. It comes with a silver-coated and copper OCC Eletech cable terminated in 4.4mm balanced, plus an Alcantara carrying case. For detail-oriented and musical listeners alike, the Astell&Kern Luna is a versatile companion across every genre.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: Silver Dragon IEM V2
The XIO In-Ear Monitors are the result of a collaboration between Astell&Kern and 64 Audio. Inside is a 10-driver hybrid system tuned with a 4-way passive crossover:
- TRUE ISOBARIC dual dynamic drivers for deep, dense bass
- Seven balanced armatures for smooth, textured mids
- 64 Audio's tia high-frequency driver for airy, detailed highs
Patented apex and LID technologies reduce listening fatigue and keep the sound consistent with any source. The XIO's sound is dynamic, rich, and musical: bass that's punchy but never bloated, lush vocals, and a spacious soundstage that puts you front and center at a live show. Four interchangeable apex modules let you fine-tune isolation and bass to your taste. The shell is precision-milled 904L stainless steel with a diamond-like carbon coating, and the XIO comes with a silver-plated UP-OCC copper Litz cable. For audiophiles chasing endgame sound, the Astell&Kern XIO delivers.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: Silver Dragon IEM V2
The NOVUS In-Ear Monitors are Astell&Kern's second collaboration with Empire Ears, and they push IEM technology about as far as it goes. Its 13-driver Quadbrid design includes:
- Empire Ears' dual W9+ subwoofers
- Five balanced armatures, including four Knowles NOVA drivers
- Four Sonion electrostatic tweeters
- Dual high-mass bone conductors
Empire Ears' synX crossover network blends all of them into one seamless whole. The sound is full and controlled in the low end, detailed through the mids, and open and airy up top without fatigue. A three-dimensional soundstage wraps around your head, and the NOVUS moves easily from bass-heavy EDM to intimate vocal tracks. Its DLC-coated 6061-T6 aluminum shell is finished with 24K gold-plated faceplates and sapphire glass. It ships with a bespoke copper, gold, and silver hybrid cable. The Astell&Kern x Empire Ears NOVUS is wearable art that sounds every bit as stunning as it looks.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: Silver Dragon IEM V2
Audio Systems, DACs & More
AK HB1 Portable Bluetooth DAC/AMP
The AK HB1 is Astell&Kern's first Bluetooth portable DAC/AMP, allowing users to experience high-quality audio and HiFi streaming services with the best performance — All without the hassle of cables and connectors. Pair your mobile device to the AK HB1 through Bluetooth and experience seamless, wireless Hi-Fi sound across various IEMs and headphones, all facilitated by its compact, lightweight design and powerful built-in headphone amplifier.
The AK HB1 delivers a level of sound that's so impressive it makes it a downright steal for the price point of the device. You get an audiophile-grade sound that's musical, transparent, and full of detail. It can drive the majority of IEMs and low-impedance headphones you throw at it so you can sit back and enjoy a musical, clear, and accurate sound from the AK HB1. Not to mention, the AK HB1 is packed full of features and functionality that rival high-end USB DACs more than twice the AK HB1's size. Support for UAC 1.0 and 2.0 for gaming and car mode capability expand the AK HB1's functionality beyond music streaming.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: Black Dragon USB Cable
AK PA10 Amplifier
The AK PA10 is the first Class-A portable amplifier by Astell&Kern. The AK PA10 is based on Astell&Kern's know-how in AMP circuit design technology, and it offers a natural and spacious analog sound of Class-A AMP enhanced by AK's proprietary TERATON ALPHA technology. Class-A AMPs offer the best linear output, providing soft, warm, and natural sounds by amplifying signals without distortions or defect.
The AK PA10 is small enough to be portable and operates seamlessly with a wide variety of headphones and IEMs. The AK PA10 offers a three-stage control of Class-A AMP current, creating a more intense sound. Rare for a portable Class-A AMP, the AK PA10 supports 4.4mm True Balanced input/output for high output and vivid audio. It also supports 3.5mm unbalanced input/output ports so that you can use it with a wider variety of devices. With two gain modes, low and high, you can control the AMP output — When connected to the balanced output, the AK PA10 can support up to 6.2 Vrms output at high gain.
The AK HC5 Portable USB DAC Headphone AMP brings flagship Astell&Kern sound to a device that fits in your pocket. It's the first USB DAC to use the AK4499EX DAC chip, previously found only in AK's top-tier players like the SP4000. The AK4499EX is paired with the AK4191EQ digital processor to keep noise out and detail in. High Driving Mode, borrowed from the SP4000, delivers 5Vrms balanced power, enough to bring IEMs and easy-to-drive headphones to life. The sound is natural, refined, and slightly warm, with excellent resolution and smooth treble. You can shape it further with DAR upsampling up to DSD256 and six selectable DAC filters. The HC5 adds a 1.62-inch OLED display, a 150-step precision volume wheel, and dual-shielded cables, and it works with phones, computers, and gaming consoles. If you've been settling for the sound your phone gives you, upgrade to hi-fi on the go with the Astell&Kern HC5.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: Black Dragon USB Cable
Astell&Kern "Car Mode"
"Car Mode" sounds promising, right?
In actuality, Astell&Kern's Car Mode amounts to a horizontal or vertical layout for the music player, creating larger and more manageable controls. By enlarging the play/pause, back, and forward buttons, the layout transforms into a driver-friendly design much like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay do for your connected devices.
Officially, Astell&Kern Digital Audio Players are not compatible or optimized for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Despite Astell&Kern's players running on an Android operating system, the device has not been made to integrate into Android Auto like other Android devices have been developed to work with car systems. Why have Astell&Kern DAPs not been optimized for car systems? We're not sure, but that doesn't mean that they won't work with your car's audio.
The fact is that Astell&Kern DAP music players do one thing, and they do it well: play music. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible infotainment systems are designed to act as an extension of your phone and integrate various functions into your vehicle's personalized control scheme.
Just because Astell&Kern hasn't officially made their devices optimized for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay doesn't mean that they won't have some functionality with the audio system. We won't get into the compatibility of the devices with different systems, since they vary so much by audio system and car manufacturer. The downside to all this is that you could have a vehicle that might integrate fairly well with your music player, whereas others might have one that hardly retains any functionality whatsoever. You'll ultimately need to test your own device with your vehicle.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are car assistant systems that help integrate your Android or Apple phone into your vehicle audio/infotainment and control systems. CarPlay is optimized for Apple phones and Android Auto for Android phones. Most modern auto infotainment systems allow for both OS types to be integrated into the vehicle, unless otherwise stated. As phones become more of an extension of ourselves, the more essential it is for them to be assimilated into our vehicles to provide a safer driving experience free from distractions that require us to look away from the road.
Of course, we are not here to determine whether car assistant systems make you a safer driver, but one thing that is certain is we like to have our devices ready at the touch of a button. The biggest draw of the CarPlay and Android Auto integration is the ability to make calls with your audio system. This is something that will obviously be a moot point to Astell&Kern users, and should not play a big part in determining how your device will work with your vehicle.
The main question is: how will your music player work connected to your vehicle?
The good news is that vehicle functionality shouldn't be your deciding factor in choosing an Astell&Kern DAP, since none of the music players are officially compatible and should work in the same way across the entire product line. So your SA700 will work just like the KANN Cube, depending on how your vehicle integrates external audio devices.
The bad news is that since Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are designed to integrate various functions of, say, your phone, this won't be the case with your Astell&Kern music player. Since the sole purpose of the device is to play music, this will be the only functionality that will transfer to the vehicle infotainment system (if at all). So don't expect to be able to make calls, use GPS and map features, along with various other application support.
#1 Starting Up Your Astell&Kern Music Player
When you start your #2 Android-Based Controls for the first time, you'll see a music playback screen, complete with a blank album, unknown album name, unknown artist name, and playback controls.
At the bottom of every screen, you'll see the navigation bar, offering you three main choices: (from left to right) the Services shortcut (indicated by 4 round circles), Home (indicated by a house icon), and Back/Return (indicated by a left-facing arrow "<").
Tapping right above the navigation bar brings up the main music player screen, with play/pause and track skip forward/backward controls. Tapping the icon to the left of the track skip backward control toggles through the repeat function. Tap once to repeat the album and then tap again to repeat the song. To the right of the track skip forward button is the shuffle control. You can also scroll to a destination in the song with the slider control on this screen.
Tapping the album art enhances the album cover into a fullscreen view, and it will show the lyrics to the song underneath the album art if available. The music note icon in the upper right-hand corner will slide over the "Now Playing" list, showing you what is on tap next and allowing you to edit the order if desired. Tapping the "<" in the upper left-hand corner returns you to the previous screen.
#2 Android-Based Controls
If you swipe your finger from the top of the screen down you'll access the main device controls. Swiping down brings up a half-screen which displays the controls for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth connections, the amplifier gain settings, Pre-Line out settings, and DAR (Digital Audio Remaster technology). Under those icons you'll find the screen brightness slider.
If you swipe left from that screen you'll see additional settings for EQ, Crossfeed, Car Mode, Wheel Lock, and main Settings.
- Wi-Fi: here you can select the network you want to join or turn off the Wi-Fi functionality all together.
- Bluetooth: Select the devices you want to connect to the music player whether they be Bluetooth headphones, speakers or more.
- AMP: Repeatedly tapping the icon cycles through the gain settings from Low, Mid, High, and/or Super (if available). Note that the music player's volume setting will reset after each gain adjustment as a safety feature.
- Pre-Line Out: if you have a cable attached to the Pre-Line Out jacks, you can select the output from Line to Headphones here.
- DAR: Astell&Kern players support a new Digital Audio Remaster technology, providing upsampling possibilities for your favorite music.
- EQ: Equalizer settings - set frequency boosts and cuts depending on your desired listening preferences.
- Crossfeed: Turn on or off crossfeed settings here, giving the listener a more loudspeaker-like simulated listening experience.
- Car Mode: Adjusts the layout for a larger and more simplified control experience, converting the controls to a landscape layout for your vehicle.
- Wheel Lock: Locks the volume wheel. Perfect if you are placing your music player in your pocket or bag.
- Settings: Here are your main device settings.
#3 Services & AK Technologies
Clicking on the top left icon with the horizontal bars brings up the main Astell&Kern features like Services and their proprietary technology. Here you'll find the following options:
- AK Connect: Choose this if you want to turn your music player into a UPnP streamer.
- Services: This is where you'll find access to your favorite music streaming services.
- AK File Drop: Select this if you want to set up your AK DAP as a network drive. You can drag and drop music files remotely from a computer on the same network.
- Roon Ready: Set up your music player as a Roon endpoint with all the integration that entails.
- Equalizer: Set up your listening preferences if you want to boost or cut specific frequencies.
- AMP: Access the gain settings for your Astell&Kern player. Depending on the model you can select from Low Gain, Mid, High, and Super (if available).
- DAC Filter: Choose from a number of filters that tailor the sound to your listening preferences. Simply choose the one that sounds best to your ears.
- Time Settings: Set the power off, screen timeout, and sleep timer settings for inactivity.
AK Connect is a feature that allows you to wirelessly stream music from your DAP to compatible devices such as smartphones, tablets, and network players. Here's how to use AK Connect:
- Ensure Wi-Fi Connectivity: Make sure your Astell&Kern DAP is connected to a Wi-Fi network.
- Open AK Connect: On your DAP, navigate to the menu and find the AK Connect option.
- Select AK Connect: Select it to open the AK Connect menu.
- Start AK Connect Server: Select the option to activate the AK Connect server on your DAP.
- Connect from External Device: On your smartphone or tablet, download the AK Connect app (available for iOS and Android).
- Open AK Connect App: The app should automatically detect the AK Connect server running on your DAP.
- Select Your DAP: Select it to establish a connection.
- Browse and Play Music: Select songs, albums, playlists, and more to play directly through your DAP.
- Control Playback: The app lets you control playback, adjust volume, and skip tracks from your smartphone or tablet.
- Enjoy Music Everywhere: Enjoy your music library on a variety of devices throughout your home.
Dragon Audio Cables
Audio cables are the icing on your audio cake, and they can make or break your listening experience. At Moon Audio, we craft custom cables to improve the sound of your headphones and other audio gear. Your choice of cable is going to depend on a couple of factors, the first being the sound signature of your DAP. We recommend the Silver Dragon Headphone Cable for warmer DAPs and the Black Dragon Headphone Cable for more analytical-sounding DAPs. That being said, the sound signature of your headphones is also going to be a factor. Bottom line: If you are looking to add weight and warmth to the overall sound, or if you want a smoother top end, go with the Black Dragon. If you are looking for more detail, clarity, and top-end sizzle, go with the Silver Dragon.
Our HiFi Dragon Audio Cables bring out more of what you love in your music and audio gear. If your USB cables keep dying - as many stock cables do - then check out our quality USB Audio Cables. We say time and time again that materials matter, and our audio cables and custom geometries actually help to bring out those desired properties in your gear and music. We make tons of custom options for our customers so that you can get the right HiFi Audio cable for your exact needs. If you have any questions feel free to Contact Us and we'll be more than happy to help.
Enjoy the Detailed, Resolute Sound of Astell&Kern Products
Astell&Kern designs and manufactures their products with one goal in mind: To deliver music that touches people's hearts, rather than just their ears. Every AK product is created with passion, craftsmanship, and innovation with the latest proprietary technology. For more than a decade now, Astell&Kern has become a household name among audiophiles, transforming how we listen to our favorite HiFi music on the go. From DAPs like the SP3000T to Bluetooth DAC/Amps, Astell&Kern delivers intuitive, easy-to-use products that fit into your lifestyle. Users can enjoy that signature AK sound — Analytical, detailed, and resolute — with the goal of reproducing the most accurate sound possible, just the way the artist intended.
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