Astell & Kern
AK PA10 Amplifier
$660.00 USDFeatures
Class-A Current Control (High/Mid/Low)
Gain Control (High Gain/Low Gain)
4.4mm True Balanced Input/Output Support
3.5mm Unbalanced Input/Output Support
Hardware Crossfeed Support
Unique SLOPE Design of Astell&Kern
Up to 12 Hours of Play Time
Power and Battery Indicator
USB Type-C Charger
What's in the Box?
Warranty
The First Class-A Portable AMP by Astell&Kern has been at the forefront of research and development in AMP technology, driven by an unwavering commitment to delivering the purest and most authentic representation of the original audio source. The AK PA10 marks a significant milestone in this pursuit, as it introduces Astell&Kern's first model to feature a Class-A AMP design.
Leveraging their extensive know-how in AMP circuit design technology, Astell&Kern has engineered the AK PA10 to offer the natural and spacious sound signature synonymous with Class-A amplification. However, Astell&Kern has taken this a step further by incorporating their proprietary TERATON ALPHA technology, which enhances the analog sound quality to unprecedented levels.
The AK PA10 is a true embodiment of Astell&Kern's pursuit of sonic perfection, allowing users to experience the pure analog sound that the brand is renowned for. To further elevate the listening experience, the AK PA10 offers a suite of customization options, including adjustable Current, Gain, and Crossfeed settings, ensuring optimal performance and seamless integration with a wide range of digital audio players and source devices.
Whether you're an audiophile seeking the utmost fidelity or a music enthusiast simply looking to unlock the full potential of your audio setup, the AK PA10 promises to deliver an immersive and captivating listening experience. By combining Astell&Kern's expertise in AMP circuit design with cutting-edge technologies like Class-A amplification and TERATON ALPHA, the AK PA10 sets a new benchmark for portable amplification, allowing you to fully appreciate the intricate details and nuances of your favorite recordings.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the Astell&Kern AK PA10 Amplifier with our popular Black Dragon USB Audio Cable. The Black Dragon USB cable utilizes our single crystal UP-OCC copper construction to provide you with the best possible digital bus transmission. Our Black Dragon USB cable will bring an extraordinary amount of detail and resolution to your hi-fi system. The Black Dragon USB cable is designed to transfer digital audio from your source device (like a computer, phone, tablet, or digital audio player) to a USB-capable DAC. It is built to USB Audio specs. The Black Dragon USB Cable is meant for audio data transfer only - meaning that this cable should not be used for high-speed data transmission (via external hard drives). Because of the high-quality materials and cable geometry, Dragon USB cables greatly reduce stock USB cable issues such as packet loss and jitter.
Features
- Application of Class-A AMP
- Class-A Current Control (High/Mid/Low)
- Gain Control (High Gain/Low Gain)
- 4.4mm True Balanced Input/Output Support
- 3.5mm Unbalanced Input/Output Support
- Hardware Crossfeed Support
- Unique SLOPE Design of Astell&Kern
- Up to 12 Hours of Play Time
- Power and Battery Indicator
- USB Type-C Charger
TERATON ALPHA, The Essence of A&K Audio TechnologiesHigh-quality headphone amplifiers excel in producing accurate sound reproduction when they achieve stable output and meticulously design every aspect, including power delivery, noise management, signal transitions, and circuit structures. The AK PA10 exemplifies this by being compact yet compatible with a wide range of headphones and IEMs. It integrates TERATON ALPHA technology, Astell&Kern's ultimate sound solution, ensuring distortion-free playback of ultra-high-quality audio.
TERATON ALPHA, the result of extensive research, is Astell&Kern's proprietary technology designed to deliver audio playback that faithfully reproduces the original sound. It achieves this through effective power noise reduction, efficient power management, unwavering amplification, and a fully optimized audio output interface. The AK PA10 was specifically developed to harness the capabilities of TERATON ALPHA, delivering pure and immersive analog sound experiences.
Distortion-Free Analog Sound of Class-A AMP
Class-A amplifiers are renowned for their linear output, delivering soft, warm, and natural sounds by amplifying signals without introducing distortions or artifacts. This quality makes them highly coveted among music enthusiasts, although traditionally deemed impractical for portable audio devices due to their high power consumption and complex design challenges.
The AK PA10 integrates a Class-A amplifier based on Astell&Kern's unique circuit design technology, ensuring signature analog sound reproduction. This design not only minimizes power consumption but also enhances output while effectively reducing noise. Engineered as Astell&Kern's first portable Class-A amplifier, the AK PA10 allows users to experience authentic analog sound quality anywhere and anytime.
Class-A Current Control - Intense and Spatial Sound of Analog AMPHeadphone amplifiers go beyond merely providing sufficient output for headphones. The AK PA10 regulates current to accommodate various headphones, and IEMs, resulting in more immersive and spatial sound reproduction.
The AK PA10 features a three-stage control of Class-A amplifier current, optimizing the characteristic of Class-A amplification relative to current values to enhance sound intensity. Addressing concerns about battery drain associated with high power consumption, typically a limitation of portable Class-A amplifiers, the AK PA10 effectively manages current consumption. With the three-stage current control option, users can tailor sound characteristics to match different headphones and IEMs. Dive into the textured and spatial sounds crafted by the AK PA10's Class-A amplifier for a truly captivating audio experience.
Vivid Sound Output of Gain Control
To fully appreciate the subtle nuances in music through various headphones and IEMs, sufficient amplifier output is crucial. When connected via the balanced input, the AK PA10 can deliver up to 6.2 Vrms output in high gain mode. Selecting the appropriate gain level optimizes the sound quality for your headphones or IEMs, allowing you to enjoy crystal-clear audio. The AK PA10 unleashes the maximum potential of your audio devices.
*[Low Gain] Unbalanced 2.1Vrms / Balanced 4.2Vrms (Condition No Load)
*[High Gain] Unbalanced 3.1Vrms / Balanced 6.2Vrms (Condition No Load)
4.4mm In/Out True Balanced Circuit Design
Many portable headphone amplifiers convert 3.5mm unbalanced signals to 4.4mm balanced signals or lack support for 4.4mm balanced connections altogether. This setup often leads to signal loss during the conversion process, limiting the purity of the balanced output from the source device.
In a rare feat for a portable Class-A amplifier, the AK PA10 features support for true 4.4mm balanced input/output, ensuring high output and vivid audio reproduction. It also includes 3.5mm unbalanced input/output ports, providing versatility to connect with a wide range of devices. The output matches the size of the input terminal, and it's important to note that ports cannot be mixed for use (e.g., 3.5mm to 4.4mm or vice versa).
AK Analog Sound Anywhere and at Any Time
The AK PA10 is equipped with a built-in 4,200mAh battery, providing up to 12 hours of uninterrupted playback time without requiring a power source. Its exceptional portability and extended playtime make it ideal for enjoying Astell&Kern's analog sound anywhere and anytime.
*Test Condition: Input 1Vrms, PA10 Volume at 1 o'clock position, Low Gain standard. *Actual continuous playback time may vary based on user setup and input/output configurations.
LED battery status indication
PA10 displays remaining battery and battery charge status through its status LED. [Power On] Turned on (Color changes according to the recharge status) White (70% or more) / Yellow (69%-30%) / Red (30% or less) [Charging] Blue lights flashing (Regardless of power on/off) → Blue lights come in when the charging is completed.
Crossfeed Effect Completed by Hardware Circuit DesignHeadphones typically isolate left and right channels, potentially causing increased ear fatigue during prolonged listening compared to speaker setups, which offer more spatial sound. Crossfeed addresses this by blending signals from one channel into the opposite channel with a slight delay, creating a more centralized and natural sound similar to listening via speakers. This helps reduce listening fatigue.
The AK PA10 implements its Crossfeed function exclusively through hardware circuit design rather than digital software. This approach ensures a seamless and sophisticated crossfeed effect without compromising the original sound quality. Activate Crossfeed to enjoy vivid, authentic, and effortless sound enhancement with the AK PA10.
Perfect Circuit Design of High Output and Low NoiseAmplifying small signals to achieve higher outputs typically increases noise levels. However, the AK PA10 introduces a high-output design specifically tailored for driving challenging headphones. It utilizes precise current control and meticulous circuit design, embodying Astell&Kern's commitment to delivering pure, refined audio devoid of noise.
The AK PA10 features Astell&Kern's signature analog volume control, ensuring seamless delivery of Class-A amplifier sounds. Each audio block, including crossfeed, volume control, and amplification, is powered by a dedicated power supply IC. This configuration optimally supplies power without the interference of ripple noise commonly associated with DC-DC converters, thereby minimizing any potential noise amplification. Moreover, a proprietary shield can shield the audio block from external noises and electromagnetic waves. Physical separation of unbalanced and balanced circuits further enhances the AK PA10's capability to deliver high-output, low-noise audio performance.
What's in the Box?
- AK PA10 Amplifier
- USB Charging Cable
- Manual and Warranty
About Portable Headphone Amplifiers
Explore portable amplifiers tailored for headphones and earphones, catering to audiophiles seeking superior audio experiences on the go. These amplifiers integrate cutting-edge features such as Bluetooth connectivity, USB-C compatibility, and MQA decoding for high-resolution audio streaming. Ideal for use with Android devices and desktop headphones, they serve as versatile DAC/amps and Bluetooth DAC/amps, enhancing sound quality with high-end components.
Whether you seek a portable USB DAC, RCA adapter, or a compact solution for streaming music, portable headphone amps deliver robust performance and fidelity. Discover the perfect balance of convenience and audiophile-grade sound reproduction with these essential accessories for portable audio enthusiasts. Portable amps, in some cases, can give you desktop DAC and amp performance in a convenient package on the go. Popular brands and amps include Chord Electronics, Chord Mojo 2, Chord Hugo 2, Audioquest, Earmen, iFi Audio, iFi Go Blu, xDSD Gryphon, iBasso, Fiio, and much more.
FAQ
What is the Astell&Kern AK PA10 Amplifier?
The AK PA10 is a compact, portable headphone amplifier and USB DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) designed by Astell&Kern for use with their digital audio players and other audio sources.
What are the key features of the AK PA10?
Key features include a balanced headphone amplifier, an ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip, native DSD and high-res PCM support, USB and optical digital inputs, and a rechargeable battery for portable use.
What headphone outputs does the AK PA10 have?
The AK PA10 has a 4.4mm balanced headphone output and a 3.5mm single-ended headphone output.
Can the AK PA10 be used as a USB DAC with a computer?
Yes, the AK PA10 can be used as an external USB DAC with computers or other digital sources via its USB input.
What audio formats does the AK PA10 support?
It supports high-resolution audio formats like DSD (up to DSD512), PCM (up to 32-bit/768kHz), and various lossless codecs like FLAC, WAV, and AIFF.
Does the AK PA10 have a built-in battery?
Yes, the AK PA10 has a rechargeable battery that allows for portable use and up to 9 hours of playback time.
Is the AK PA10 compatible with Astell&Kern's audio players?
Yes, the AK PA10 is designed to work seamlessly with Astell&Kern's digital audio players like the A&ultima, A&norma, and KANN series.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Physical Specifications | |
| Model | AK PA10 |
| Body Color | Graphite Gray |
| Body Material | Aluminum & Silicone |
| Dimensions | 2.87" (73mm) [W] x 5.51" (140mm) [H] x 0.91" (23.3mm) [D] |
| Weight | About 11.46oz (325g) |
| Technical Specifications | |
| Analog Inputs | Unbalanced 3.5mm / Balanced 4.4mm |
| Headphone Outputs | Unbalanced 3.5mm / Balanced 4.4mm |
| Input Max Level | Unbalanced 2Vrms / Balanced 4Vrms |
| Output Level | Low Gain: Unbalanced 2.1Vrms / Balanced 4.2Vrms High Gain: Unbalanced 3.1Vrms / Balanced 6.2Vrms |
| Output Impedance | 3.5mm: 1.1Ω / 4.4mm: 1.3Ω |
| Charging Port | USB Type-C |
| Audio Specifications | |
| Frequency Response | Low Gain: ±0.2dB (20Hz~20kHz) Unbalanced / Balanced High Gain: ±0.06dB (20Hz~70kHz) Unbalanced / Balanced |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | Low Gain: 111dB (Unbalanced) / 115dB (Balanced) High Gain: 114dB (Unbalanced) / 117dB (Balanced) |
| Crosstalk | Low Gain: -83dB @ 1kHz Unbalanced / -110dB @ 1kHz Balanced High Gain: -83dB @ 1kHz Unbalanced / -110dB @ 1kHz Balanced |
| THD+N | Low Gain: 0.0045% (Unbalanced) / 0.0015% (Balanced) High Gain: 0.0027% (Unbalanced) / 0.0013% (Balanced) |
| Power Specifications | |
| Battery Capacity | 4,200 mAh 3.8V Li-Polymer |
| Charge Time | ~3 Hours (Fast Charging: 9V / 1.67A) ~4 Hours (Standard Charging: 5V / 2A) |
| Playback Time | About 12 Hours (Unbalanced, 1Vrms input, Low Gain, Vol. 30%) |
| Operating Specifications | |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C ~ +40°C (32°F ~ 104°F) |