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PD10 Digital Audio Player & Docking Cradle
$2,500.00 USD
Features
World's first DAP application of AKM4498EX DAC chip (quad-DAC configuration)
Impedance-Adaptive Dual Amplifiers with Smart Gain auto-detection
Independent dual audio circuits for unbalanced and balanced outputs
Included docking cradle for home audio use with XLR balanced outputs
6-inch Full HD (1080x2160) touchscreen display
5,770mAh high-capacity battery with up to 15 hours playback
256GB built-in storage plus microSD support up to 2TB
Supports native playback of PCM up to 32bit/768kHz and DSD512
Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) technology for upsampling
Customizable Crossfeed feature for reduced listening fatigue
Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX HD, LDAC, and LHDC codec support
AK File Drop for wireless file transfers
AirPlay support for streaming from Apple devices
ReplayGain for automatic volume level adjustment
6 selectable DAC filters for personalized sound tuning
LED indicators showing current bit-rate information
Video
What's in the Box?
Warranty
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.
Highly-Capable DAP and Home Audio Music Streamer
When it comes to features and functionality, the Astell&Kern PD10 DAP can do just about anything. The player includes 256GB of internal memory with support for microSD cards up to 2TB, dual-band 2.4/5Ghz a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, DLNA networking, USB digital audio output, USB-C for data transfer and charging, and the ability to use the PD10 as an external DAC via Bluetooth or a direct USB connection to a Mac or Windows-based PC. A 6-inch full HD touch screen provides a high-resolution display while a 5,700mAh high-capacity battery enables up to 15 hours of continuous playback with its optimized circuit configuration. Power Delivery 3.0 (PD 3.0) support allows you to charge your DAP faster and more efficiently than previous models, reaching a full charge in about 3.5 hours.
The PD10 supports native playback of high-res PCM music up to 32-bit, 768 kHz, and DSD512, with Bluetooth 5.3 offering 24-bit audio playback wirelessly for aptX HD, LHDC, and LDAC codecs. Astell&Kern's feature, BT Sink, allows the PD10 to connect to an external device via Bluetooth and function as a Bluetooth DAC, while AK File Drop enables you to freely transfer music files wirelessly through a PC, smartphone, or FTP program located on the same network. Music file management is now possible with Apple AirPlay support and Roon Ready certification.
With the included docking cradle, the PD10 transforms from a mundane portable hifi component to a home audio source. When the PD10 is mounted on the cradle, it offers USB charging via the USB Type-C port on the back, digital input, and XLR balanced outputs for seamless connection to speakers or a two-channel system. The XLR output levels can be controlled using the PD10's volume control or set to a fixed level by enabling the line out option in DAP's settings. An LED on the front of the cradle displays bit-rate information of the track currently playing based on color.
Complete Separation of Digital and Analog Signals in a HEXA-Audio Circuitry Structure
The PD10 is equipped with the same innovative HEXA audio circuit design first developed for the flagship SP3000 DAP. At the heart of the PD10 sits four AKM AK4498EX DACs and two separate AK4191EQ chips that handle digital signals. The PD10 is the world's first DAP incorporating the newly released AK4498EX chip.
While most digital audio players process digital and analog signals together inside the DAC, Astell&Kern's advanced HEXA structure takes a different approach. This structure reduces the noise of the digital signal input through the AK4191EQ, a separate digital delta-sigma modulator, and the AK4498EX DAC is then designed to process the analog signals separately. By physically and perfectly separating digital and analog signal processing, the PD10 delivers an astonishing level of sound.
Independent Dual Audio Circuits for Home Audio Use with XLR Balanced Inputs
Embracing the spirit of innovation, Astell&Kern has worked to overcome the limitations of sound by designing an independent dual audio circuit for unbalanced and balanced outputs. Almost all other DAPs use the same internal DAC for both unbalanced and balanced outputs. Since the signal from the DAC is divided into unbalanced and balanced, then delivered to the Amp, an audio switch is essential.
When using a switch, there is a limit to the range of signal sent by the DAC, so most DAPs reduce the signal size first and then when the signal is transmitted back to the amplifier, it is necessary to restore the original signal size. This causes a limitation in improving the audio performance.
By creating two separate audio circuits, one for balanced output and a second for unbalanced output, Astell&Kern maximizes audio performance no matter what output is being used.
Impedance-Adaptive Dual Amplifiers with Smart Gain
To cater to the diverse listening environments of users, the PD10 DAP is equipped with two distinct amplifiers–Normal Gain Amp and High Gain Amp–because two is better than one! Each amp has different sound tunings applied, so you can tailor the sound based on which headphones or IEMs you're using.
- Normal Gain Amp reduces delicate details and delivers high-purity sound, faithfully reproducing the original sound.
- High Gain Amp excels in handling complex and dynamic sounds, rendering audio signals more vividly with greater clarity for a more immersive listening experience.
- Smart Gain instantly detects the impedance of connected headphones or earphones and auto adjusts the amp
The moment you connect a headphone or IEM to the PD10, the player instantly checks the impedance of the connected device and automatically sets the appropriate amp. Regardless of what is connected, the PD10 automatically distinguishes between low and high impedance and matches it with the optimal Amp, without having to worry about manually changing settings to find the perfect match.
Earphones with an impedance of 32 ohms or less are set to Normal Gain, providing a maximum output of 5.5Vrms when connected to the balanced output. Earphones greater than 32 ohms are set to High Gain, providing ample output of up to 8.3Vrms for balanced out.
The Smart Gain function optimizes amplifier matching, providing those who own a wide variety of headphones and earphones with a unique and refined listening experience.
Features
- HEXA Audio Circuit Structure with complete separation of digital and analog signal processing
- World's first DAP application of AKM4498EX DAC chip (quad-DAC configuration)
- Impedance-Adaptive Dual Amplifiers with Smart Gain auto-detection
- Independent dual audio circuits for unbalanced and balanced outputs
- Included docking cradle for home audio use with XLR balanced outputs
- 6-inch Full HD (1080x2160) touchscreen display
- 5,770mAh high-capacity battery with up to 15 hours playback
- 256GB built-in storage plus microSD support up to 2TB
- Supports native playback of PCM up to 32bit/768kHz and DSD512
- Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) technology for upsampling
- Customizable Crossfeed feature for reduced listening fatigue
- Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX HD, LDAC, and LHDC codec support
- AK File Drop for wireless file transfers
- AirPlay support for streaming from Apple devices
- ReplayGain for automatic volume level adjustment
- 6 selectable DAC filters for personalized sound tuning
- LED indicators showing current bit-rate information
What's in the Box?
- PD10 Digital Audio Player
- Docking Cradle
- USB-C Charging Cable
- 4 Screen Protection
- Warranty and Manual
- Leather Case (made with Synt3 eco-friendly polyurethane fabric)
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Model | PD10 |
Body Color | Silver |
Body Material | Stainless Steel |
Supported OS | Windows 8, 10, 11 (32/64-bit), macOS X 10.7+ |
Dimensions | 75.4mm × 149.5mm × 17.3mm |
Weight | 435g (15.34oz) |
Display | 6-inch Full HD (1080×2160) touch screen |
Built-In Memory | 256GB NAND |
External Memory | microSD x1 (Max. 1.5TB) |
Battery Capacity | 5,770mAh 3.8V Li-Polymer |
Charge Time | Approx. 4 hours (PD3.0 Charging) |
Playback Time | Approx. 15 hours (FLAC 16bit/44.1kHz, Vol.50, LCD Off, Normal Gain) |
CPU | Octa-core |
Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz) |
Bluetooth | V5.3 (A2DP, AVRCP, aptX HD, LDAC, LHDC, SBC, AAC) |
Operating Temperature | 0℃ to +40℃ (32℉ to 104℉) |
Feature Enhancements | Firmware upgrade supported (OTA) |
DAC | 2× AKM4191EQ + 4× AKM4498EX |
Input | USB Type-C (Charging, PC & MAC) |
Outputs | 3.5mm Unbalanced (optical capable), 4.4mm Balanced (5-pole) |
Supported Audio Formats | WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF |
Sample Rate | PCM: 8kHz–768kHz (8/16/24/32-bit) DSD Native: DSD64/128/256/512 |
Output Level (No Load) | Normal: 2.6Vrms (Unbalanced), 5.6Vrms (Balanced) High: 4Vrms (Unbalanced), 8.3Vrms (Balanced) Cradle XLR Out: 5.6Vrms |
Decoding | Up to 32-bit / 768kHz Bit-to-Bit playback |
Frequency Response | ±0.066dB (20Hz–20kHz) ±0.62dB (20Hz–70kHz) Unbalanced ±0.61dB (20Hz–70kHz) Balanced |
S/N Ratio | 125dB @ 1kHz (Unbalanced), 128dB @ 1kHz (Balanced) |
Crosstalk | -137dB @ 1kHz (Unbalanced), -138dB @ 1kHz (Balanced) |
THD+N | 0.0007% @ 1kHz (Unbalanced), 0.0006% @ 1kHz (Balanced) |
IMD SMPTE | 0.0004% @ 800Hz/10kHz (4:1) |
Output Impedance | 1Ω (3.5mm Unbalanced), 1.6Ω (4.4mm Balanced) |
Clock Jitter | 25ps (typical) |
Reference Clock Jitter | 250 femtoseconds |