Get ready, music enthusiasts! The wizards at Astell&Kern have done it again, conjuring up a seriously clever piece of tech that's about to redefine how you experience your high-res audio. Feast your eyes (and ears!) on the brand-new A&K PD10, a portable music player with a secret weapon: a docking cradle that instantly transforms it into a sophisticated home audio streamer.
For those craving top-tier sound without a tangle of separate devices, this is your audio unicorn. A&K, the South Korean innovators we know and love, have packed their signature magic into a sleek design that feels right at home whether you're hitting the streets or chilling on your couch.
Speaking of looks, the PD10 carries the classic A&K DNA with its premium stainless steel and glass build, showcasing a vibrant 6-inch Full HD touchscreen. Storage? You get a generous 256GB built-in, plus the option to load up to a massive 2TB more via microSD. A subtle but significant change is the move to volume buttons instead of the traditional dial, while a mesmerizing colour-changing LED ring around the power button pulses with the rhythm of your music's bitrate.
But the real sorcery happens under the hood. The PD10 boasts the same incredible HEXA audio circuit design that wowed us in their flagship SP3000 player. This powerhouse combines dual AKM AK4191EQ chips for pristine digital processing with four cutting-edge AKM AK4498EX DAC chips dedicated to the analogue side – keeping those delicate signals pure and interference-free.
A&K didn't stop there. They've implemented separate audio circuits for balanced and unbalanced outputs, ensuring optimal performance no matter your headphone choice. Plus, with two distinct amplifiers (Normal and High Gain), you can fine-tune the sonic character to perfectly match your listening preferences and headphones. And for the ultimate in ease-of-use? A smart gain mode that automatically detects your headphones' impedance and selects the ideal amp setting – say goodbye to manual tweaking!
Now, let's talk about that game-changing cradle. It's not just a charging station; it's your gateway to high-fidelity home streaming. Featuring balanced XLR outputs, you can connect directly to your active speakers or stereo amplifier. Simply slot the PD10 into the cradle's USB-C port, and bam! Your entire digital library is ready to stream to your home system. Control the volume via the PD10's buttons or set a fixed output level. The cradle even sports its own colour-coded LED to keep you informed about the track's bitrate.
The PD10 is a true team player, seamlessly integrating with your existing audio ecosystem. With built-in Wi-Fi, AirPlay, DLNA compatibility, and Roon Ready certification, your options are wide open. And when you do venture out, you can enjoy up to 15 hours of pure listening pleasure. The USB-C port handles charging, file transfers, and even functions as a USB DAC, while Bluetooth 5.3 with support for aptX HD, LHDC, and LDAC codecs ensures top-tier wireless audio. And for the ultimate in audio fidelity, the PD10 natively plays high-resolution files up to 32-bit/784kHz PCM and DSD512.
The Astell&Kern PD10 isn't just another portable music player; it's a versatile audio hub designed for both your on-the-go adventures and your home listening sanctuary. Read the full article for all the juicy details over at What Hi-Fi? Get ready to experience your music like never before!
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