DAP’s, Portable Rig And Driveline Specs Updated For Reviews, Going Forward…
The Updated Specs are in Bold below.
AK120 Portable Digital Audio Player and Amplifier Stack ©Christmachine 2017
VinylTransfer(Needledrop) / Reel To Reel Transfer/ HD TRAcks/ CD to FLAC/ALAC/ WAV/.mp3(320kbps) -> AK120 (No Mods) 24/192 Capable Portable Audio Reference Server (2 X Stock Wolfson WM8740 DAC’s [One For Each Channel]) w/ 3-ohm output impedance (64GB Onboard FLASH + 2 x 200GB San Disk Micro SDXC-10 Cards) -> ALO Audio SXC 22 mini to mini 3 Wire Silver Plated Copper -> ALO Audio International Headphone Amp w/ 24bit96kHz DAC w/ Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC Chip -> ALO Audio Green Line (balanced universal mini XLR) w/classic copper sends and silver-plated copper returns -> ALO Audio Green Line RSA 4 pin Balanced XLR -> Audeze LCD2 Bamboo rev. 2G w/mini XLR Metal Reinforced Male Input Connects.
Additional DAP Source Players: Fiio X5 & The Pono Player (For Cross Reference Listening).
Additional Headphones Used: Sennheiser HD700, Audio Technica ATH M50 (OLD Model w/ Coil Chord), Sony MDRV6 (Studio Monitor w/ Coil Chord).
Note #1…I do not use IEM’s (In Ear Monitors) so one has to know whether or not their particular IEM’s match with the 3 Ohm Output Impedance of the AK120.
Note #2…You will notice that the AK120 was not modified (for lower output impedance) as I did with the AK100. The reason I chose not to modify is because I wanted to use a stock AK120 player…so others could hear what I was hearing if they so choose.
Here Is a link to the Spec Sheet for the AK120 (PDF Opens New Tab).
http://www.soundfidelity.co.uk/media/downloads/products/AstellKern_AK120_Manual_English.pdf
Disclaimer: As you know this site is not here to sell anyone anything, so I must disclose that the Pono Player was given to me, as I was an early stage beta tester. I did not know I was going to be asked to be a beta tester nor did I know that we would be able to keep the player after testing was completed. More on that another time…I will say that whatever you have read, the people behind Pono are well intentioned. They created a damn good DAP…all criticisms aside, they really were and are (in the end) just trying to move Hirez forward. This is a win for all. The Pono Player will not be a main feature in reviews…I just wanted to let people know my source DAP’s for info.
As Far as the other DAP’s:
Some quick thoughts that might be helpful. I never use the bundled software with the DAP units. You want headaches…then use the software. I simply use the DAP’s as default external drives, when plugged into the computer, just drag and drop my music files / folders into the onboard flash or memory cards. I fill the memory cards by using the adaptor that comes with the cards and do the heavy transferring of music files via the memory card slot on the computer.
Another helpful hint, with the exception of the Pono Player which automatically scans my it’s memory at startup, I never ever ever scan my AK120 DAP…there is no need for me to do so. I turn automatic scanning off on the AK120 and just remember where I put the files. I just organize the folders in a way that makes it pretty simple to navigate. On occasion it will take a minute or two to find something but it’s not a burden.
I don’t listen the way most people do…I do not use playlists, I tag my own files with mp3 Tag freeware, I listen to full albums (except for maybe electronic). Every time I listen to an album I try to listen for something I never heard before, and every time…no matter how many listens, it presents itself. I’m not trying to tell anyone how to listen to their music but I see people giving excellent DAP’s a bad review because the software was buggy, or they fill their memory cards with hundreds of GB of music while in the DAPs’ expansion slots. Sometimes the GUI in the player itself is a little glitchy, but never miserable unless you’re expecting iPhone fast.
I Have had the AK120 for 2 years now and I use it daily with no battery issues…recharge is slow, just plug in at night and it’s ready to go the next morning. I do not use the DAP’s continuously all day, I switch between the phone to DAP’s throughout the day and they just work. A little clunky but sounds damn good enough to make up for any shortfalls.
Next Up Reviews…
If there’s anything I forgot I will add to the update section below this sentence.
Update:
As of today 02/23/17 No Updates At This Time.
Thanks For Reading & All Your Endless Support!
Love You Lots! Stay Well, Be Kind & Bless.
Tak Tak, Bless!
Grazie, Ciao!
Obrigadx, Tchau! Adeus!
Gracias, Adios!
Danke, Tchuss!
Merci, Au revoir!
Dank je…Bedankt, Alstublieft!
Merci Vilmal, Adeau!
Gracies, Adieu!
Gracies, Adeu!
CM ☕
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