Astell&Kern has announced the PD10, a new digital audio player (DAP) designed to offer performance, flexibility and ease of use at home or away. Boasting a bold new look and several technology firsts, PD10, with included docking cradle, is Astell&Kern’s first product to break free from the constraints of the existing lineup. The PD10 instantly reflects this evolution, presenting a novel take on Astell&Kern’s iconic volume wheel design.
Astell&Kern equipped the PD10 with the same HEXA audio circuit design first developed for the flagship SP3000. The PD10 consists of four AKM AK4498EX DACs and two separate AK4191EQ chips that handle digital signals. Also, the PD10 is the world’s first DAP incorporating the newly released AK4498EX chip.
Most digital players process digital and analogue signals together inside the DAC. However, Astell&Kern’s advanced HEXA 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 analogue signals separately.
To create not just a great DAP, but a truly innovative DAP, Astell&Kern 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 maximises audio performance no matter what output is being used.
To cater to the diverse listening environments of users, the PD10 is equipped with two distinct amplifiers. Different sound tunings have been applied to each amp, taking into consideration the average impedance of connected earphones and headphones.
The Normal Gain AMP reproduces delicate details and delivers high-purity sound, faithfully reproducing the original sound, while the High Gain AMP is said to excel in handling complex and dynamic sounds, rendering audio signals more vividly and with greater clarity.
By incorporating two distinct amplifiers in a single player, users can tailor the sound based on the earphones and headphones used. The moment a headphone or earphone is connected to the PD10, the player instantly checks the impedance of the connected device and automatically sets the appropriate AMP.
Regardless of which earphones or headphones are connected, the PD10 automatically distinguishes between low and high impedance and matches it with the optimal AMP, without the user having to worry about manually changing settings to find the optimal match.
Earphones with an impedance of 32ohm or less are set to Normal Gain, providing a maximum output of 5.5Vrms when connected to the balanced output, and earphones greater than 32ohm are set to High Gain, providing ample output of up to 8.3Vrms for balanced out.
The Smart Gain function optimises amplifier matching, providing audio enthusiasts who own a wide variety of headphones and earphones with a unique and refined listening experience.
The PD10’s Crossfeed settings offer further benefits for headphone users. In a headphone environment in which the left and right channels are clearly separated, ear fatigue may increase during prolonged listening.
The Crossfeed setting in the PD10 mixes parts of the original signal from one channel and sends that signal to the opposite channel with a time difference to centre the sound image.
This effect provides the headphone user with a sound profile similar to listening to the same music track in a room with full-sized speakers. Using detailed settings such as Shelf Cutoff, Shelf Gain, and Mixer Level, users can set the level of crossfeed according to their listening preferences.
With the included cradle, the PD10 is not only a portable device but can also be used as a home audio source, while simultaneous device charging and digital signal input via the USB port is supported when the PD10 is mounted in the cradle. The XLR balanced outputs on the back of the cradle allow connection to a two-channel home audio system or directly to powered speakers.
XLR output levels can be controlled using the PD10’s volume controls or set at a fixed output level by enabling the line out option in settings and an LED on the front of the cradle displays colour-coded bit-rate information of the track currently playing.
The design concept of the PD10 is ‘Contrast Cube.’ For the first time in an Astell&Kern DAP, the volume wheel has been replaced with buttons, creating a minimalist look while using distinct material contrast to draw the user’s attention to the control buttons.
The PD10, with included docking cradle, will be available from May at Astell&Kern dealers worldwide, including Amazon, with a suggested retail price of £2,499/$2,499.