The primary goal of Astell&Kern has always been to deliver the original sound, and we believed that the AK380 did just that. We wanted even more people to experience the AK320 and its ability to deliver the original sound as intended.
AK4490
(Single DAC)
DSD-to-PCM play
Parametric EQ
200fs VCXO
Reference Clock
AK Connect App
Metal Touch Sensor
Home button
Metal Body
(Aluminum)
AMP
(Compatible)
Cradle
(Compatible)
CD-RIPPER
(Support)
AK320 is capable of bit-to-bit playback up to 24bit, 192kHz.
32bit audio is downsampled using a sample-rate converter (SRC). In addition, DSD 64/128 can be played back
via conversion to PCM.
* 32bit, 384kHz is downsampled to 24bit, 192kHz, and 32bit, 352kHz is downsampled to 24bit, 176kHz for
playback.
* DSD 64/128 is converted via DSD-to-PCM to PCM 24bit, 176kHz for playback.
32-bit SRC by the AK320
DSD-to-PCM Conversion by the AK320
A parametric equalizer (PEQ*1) was implemented in the AK320 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.
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.
Graphic equalization divides the audible frequency register into several registers and increases
or decreases the level of each register with a volume slider to adjust the respective
frequency’s characteristics.
The switches of the volume slider are connected like a graph to visually determine the frequency
characteristics, hence the name "graphic equalizer."
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).
A VCXO, or a voltage-controlled crystal oscillator, is a type of crystal oscillation device
that creates oscillation frequencies.
External environmental stimuli, which in this case mean voltage inputs, influence the
frequency value. Adjustments to the voltage input tunes a precise frequency value.
Jitter refers to the undesired deviation in time that occurs in a periodic signal. In this
case,
jitter is the error that occurs in the reference clock required to perform the sampling in
digital audio equipment.
By utilizing a femto clock, the AK380 is able to create a more accurate frequency value and
make
fine jitter corrections. As a result, the AK380 faithfully reproduces analog sound closer
than
ever to the original source when transmitting a digital signal as an analog signal.
The AK320 can be connected to a PC or Mac via USB for use as a USB DAC that supports PCM/DSD. When playing back music stored on a PC or Mac, the Single-DAC is able to deliver richer audio of outstanding soundstage and resolution well beyond the limits of a built-in sound card.
* When using the AK320 as a USB DAC, its PEQ settings are not applied, and output up to 24bit, 96kHz is
supported.
* DSD 64/128 is converted via DSD-to-PCM for playback. playback.
AK320 Native USB DAC
The AK Connect and AK Connect HD apps are available for download from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
Google Play Store Apple App Store
[Phone] AK Connect
[Tablet] AK Connet HD
The AK320 features the same metal touch interface as the AK380. The Metal Touch functions as a home key and interfaces with the device via pressure-sensitive touches.
The AK320 can be expanded to a variety of devices through the micro-USB and balanced audio out ports located
at the bottom of the product.
It can be connected with the AMP as well as professional high-impedance headphones for high output and USB
for data transfer and charging. It can also be connected to the Cradle for balanced audio functionality as
well as the CD-RIPPER to conveniently rip audio CDs.
The AK320's First Accessory AMP
The AK320’s Bedrock Cradle
Perfect Extractor CD-RIPPER
