Astell&Kern has stayed on the course, offering the truest and most natural sound possible. The Astell & Kern AK380 portable music player offers the most authentic sound from any digital music format with enhanced features that are sought-after by Pro-Audio.
32bit 384kHz Bit to Bit Playback, Native DSD (up to 5.6 MHz) Playback, Parametric EQ with 20bands 0.01dB, 200 Femto Seconds VCXO Reference Clock, Scalable Amp, DNLA based AK Connect App, Metal Touch Sensor Home Button
All of the Astell & Kern AK380’s circuit design including the digital-analog converter (DAC) are ready for 32-bit processing to handle 32-bit music natively.
Other products have traditionally used sample rate converter (SRC) method down sampling for playback. However, the Astell & Kern AK380 is capable of playing back 32-bit, 384 kHz original sound without any down sampling.
The result is the Astell & Kern AK380 plays up to 32-bit, 384 kHz, any 24-bit music files, or double layer DSD 5.6MHz natively, without conversion or compression.
PEQ (Parametric EQ)
A parametric equalizer (PEQ*1) was implemented in the Astell & Kern 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.
* The PEQ supports up to 8 kHz – 192 kHz (8/16/24-bit) formats, but DSD and 32-bit audio are not supported.
What is Parametric Equalization (PEQ*1)?
Parametric equalization 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.
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).
By utilizing a femto clock, the Astell & Kern AK380 is able to create a more accurate frequency value and make fine jitter corrections.
As a result, the Astell & Kern AK380 faithfully reproduces analog sound closer than ever to the original source when transmitting a digital signal as an analog signal.
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.
Pressure-sensitive etal Capacitive Touch
The Astell & Kern AK380 is the first Astell&Kern product to utilize a metal capacitive touch interface.
The pressure-sensitive Metal Touch home button responds to fine pressure changes so users operate the device with just a light touch on the metallic pad.
More Expandable Options
The Astell & Kern AK380 offers great expandable options through its micro USB connection and balanced out ports on the bottom of the unit.
The Astell & Kern AK380’s functionality is expandable by connecting to a variety of devices. You can increase the output and connect to a greater variety of high-impedance professional headphones through the upcoming AK380 Amp. The AK380 Cradle features balanced output in addition to USB data transfer and charging capabilities, and the AK380 CD-ROM drive rips audio CDs directly to the AK380.
Design Concept
The light and the object are the main theme of the Astell & Kern AK380 design. Any shadow of an object portraits the exact shape from the perspective of the light at that moment. The way of reproducing the true sound of music from digital formats is quite similar. Nothing more or nothing less. The design motif of the Astell & Kern AK380 reflects our philosophy of music and sound.
Hence, the “light” and the “shadows” became the inspiration of the Astell & Kern AK380.
The Astell & Kern AK380’s design was inspired by “light” and “shadow”
While the design of the Astell & Kern AK240 captured as a moment in time of light and shadow, the Astell & Kern AK380 is designed to express the change of time with more angles on its body. You will notice the different angles of surface design as you view the Astell & Kern AK380.
AK believes that the beauty of the design shall reflect what the Astell & Kern AK380 can do with music. As different angles of light casts different shadows, different music will give you a variety of emotions.
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