Memory Player: The Astell & Kern Significance

Specifications	Astell & Kern AK Jr.	Apple iPhone 5
Frequency Response	±0.04dB (20Hz~20kHz) / ±0.3dB (Condition: 20Hz~70kHz)	-0.01 dB at 20 Hz -0.08 dB at 20 kHz
Signal to Noise Ratio	112dB @ 1kHz	-116 dBV A-weighted
Crosstalk	120dB @ 1kHz	-75.624 dB
THD+N	0.005% @ 1kHz	0.007% @ 1kHz
Output Impedance	2 ohms	4.5 Ω

The Memory Players of Astell & Kern have been, until this day, underpowered jobbies, in our estimation. With the revision of two in the AK 100 in particular, the tide has been turned. Something of a design has emerged.

We call it "A Better Espresso."

Of the Apple iPhone 5's audio measurements (specifications), we can only say that the cross-talk  has been bettered. The Apple iPhone 5 is better than the AK Jr. at the low-end in terms of linearity, while the Jr. is better at the high-end, due to a higher-sampling rate.

You will frequency response, signal to noise, and THD characteristics roughly equivalent.

Actually, only the cross-talk measurement of the Apple iPhone 5 is hideous. Ken Rockwell did not cover this. [iPhone] He called the output impedance of the device "near zero" but it was not 1 ohm. 2 is better, but there is still some room to go. The Jr. is an entry-level device.

The AK 100 II signaled Astell & Kern's ability to design a better-powered portable device.


The hilight of their series was the AK Jr. We have criticized it, for it's appearance in print. It does not come out looking good. In person, however, it is another matter. It is the first Astell & Kern device that can be used, portably. Smaller than your iPhone, with better specs than your iPhone, likely. And priced more cheaply, too. ($500.00 USD).



The AK 100 in particular was ridonculous. One half of the item for the screen, one half of the item for the case. Can you believe it? You have not seen such a poor screen. How could they release it? Only the knob, like that of the FiiO Olympus, was nice.

The AK 240 was the utter epitome of stupid sophistication.

At 0.68" (17.5 mm) deep, how could you use it?

We have recommended the Blue Note version for the music guy.

The AK 240, because of it's specifications (acceptable to good, to very very good...), and it's accessories (XLR cable...), we have recommended it as a home music as opposed to as a portable, device.

You can say that the players of Astell & Kern have been re-done.


JP 2015/06/16
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