Astell&Kern Launches the PD10 Digital Audio Player
Meet the Astell&Kern PD10: an innovation-packed digital audio player that excels, at home or away…
Astell&Kern announces the PD10: a new digital audio player (DAP) designed to offer superb performance, flexibility and ease of use, at home or on your travels. Boasting a bold new look and several technology firsts, PD10, with included docking cradle, will be available from May, with a suggested retail price of £2499/$2499.
The PD10 is Astell&Kern’s first product to break free from the constraints of the existing lineup, representing a bold new direction in product design and innovation. The PD10 instantly reflects this evolution, presenting a novel take on Astell&Kern’s iconic volume wheel design. It is designed to deliver a more intuitive and distinctive experience of 'optimal sound.'
Features of the new PD10 include:
Complete Separation of Digital and Analogue Signals in a HEXA-Audio Circuitry Structure
Astell&Kern equipped the PD10 with the same innovative 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. 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.
By physically and perfectly separating digital and analogue signal processing, the PD10 delivers an astonishing level of sound that has seldom been experienced before.
Stunning Audio Performance with Independent Dual Audio Circuits
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.
Impedance-Adaptive Dual Amplifiers
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.
The High Gain AMP excels in handling complex and dynamic sounds, rendering audio signals more vividly and with greater clarity for a more immersive listening experience.
By incorporating two distinct amplifiers in a single player, users can tailor the sound based on the earphones and headphones used.
Smart Gain – Automatic Amplifier Matching Mode
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, you can set the level of crossfeed according to your listening preferences.
The Cradle That Rocks
With the included cradle, the PD10 is not only a portable device but can also be used as a home audio source.
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.
An LED on the front of the cradle displays colour-coded bit-rate information of the track currently playing.
Other key PD10 tech specs include:
- Native playback of high-res PCM music up to 32-bit, 768kHz and DSD512.
- 256GB of internal memory with support for microSD cards up to 2TB
- 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.
- Dual-band 2.4/5Ghz a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi
- DLNA networking
- A 6-inch Full HD (1080x2160) touch screen provides a high-resolution display.
- An LED ring around the power button provides information on the bitrate of the currently playing track.
- ReplayGain automatically and uniformly adjusts playback volume across different music tracks.
- Using AK File Drop, you can freely transfer files wirelessly through a PC, smartphone, or FTP program located on the same network.
- Music file management is now possible with a cableless, wireless solution.
- AirPlay support allows users to share music and provide direct control from Apple devices.
- Support for aptX HD, LHDC and LDAC™ codecs to provide audiophiles with multiple options for 24-bit audio playback wirelessly.
- The PD10 is Roon Ready certified.
- Bluetooth 5.3 features faster transmission speed and greater range compared to previous Bluetooth versions, therefore providing a more stable wireless connection.
- BT Sink allows the PD10 to connect to an external device via Bluetooth, and functions as a Bluetooth DAC.
- 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.
- Equipped with a 5,770mAh high-capacity battery, the PD10 enables up to 15 hours of continuous playback with its optimised circuit configuration.
The PD10’s new look
As with all Astell&Kern products, design is just as crucial as sound quality in the overall experience. The design concept of the PD10 is 'Contrast Cube.'
The harmony of Stainless Steel and Glass materials in the body creates a simple yet rich image through light reflection. Designed for easy one-handed operation, the intuitive button control enhances user immersion.
To evoke the powerful performance of a high-output audio player, the design resembles a 'Control Tower' that focuses on the core functions of the DAP.
For the first time in an Astell&Kern DAP, the volume wheel has been replaced with buttons, creating a clean and minimalist look while using distinct material contrast to draw the user's attention to the control buttons.
The PD10’s carefully crafted design and production process, which enhances the unique colours of the materials, demonstrate Astell&Kern's exceptional craftsmanship.
Pricing and availability
The PD10, with included docking cradle, will be available from May at Astell&Kern dealers worldwide, including Amazon, with a suggested retail price of £2499/$2499.
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