Astell&Kern AK120 Portable Player
The previous few years have already been an interesting time for fans of hires portable music players and Astell&Kern has attracted a lot of interest from fanciers, and with great reason. Both versions improved on the AK100's storage capacity of only 32GB upping it to 64GB (while doubling its price), and when you add two 64GB micro SD cards the miniature player is effective at supplying an enormous 192GB capacity, affording space for several thousand HD tracks.
This can be only one of the more sober-looking models in the group and it seems just a little aged compared with increased cutting edge designs. Though the 2.4in IPS touchscreen screen isn't nearly as sophisticated as the ARM2, it puts album artwork neatly behind the menus without any clashes and the menus function just as easily. Also on board are dual mono Wolfson WM8740 24-bit/192kHz DACs to improve audio quality, as well as the AK120 may be used as an outboard DAC hooked up via its USB or optical digital inputs into a source and output via a suitable jack output lead from your headphone/line out socket to an external amplifier.
The volume control on the side has wheel guard extensions that are protective and you also get a fairly nice Italian leather case to safeguard the dinky unit. The only other accessories will be the USB lead that is micro, the Quick Start guide and self-adhesive screen protectors. When completely topped up, charging is via USB and claims to give up to 14 hours of continuous playback use.
Sound quality
The AK120 gives a tasteful and enjoyable demo with all the opening of Do Not You Worry 'Bout A Thing by Stevie Wonder and is a thrilling listen. The clearly identifiable enhancement of the dual mono DACs gives a good awareness of stereo separation and detail and the accompanying piano at the start of the track features a remarkable sense of positioning that seems threedimensional weighed against the somewhat flat rendition from the lower-priced FiiO X5, by way of example.
Convincing bass is some thing that A&K players have in spades thanks to their low frequency range extension, and the AK120 is capable to take out the bass line from London Grammar's Hey Now (24-bit/44.1kHz) to tremendous effect and it seems as if hung in mid air in the stereo graphic, making it among one of the most pleasurable variants that I 've heard. One of many pleasures of resolution that is high is the sense of reverb and actual air around the vocals of Hannah Reid and this makes the track an excellent listen.
Desperado by Diana Krall downloaded from highresaudio.com is as sensitive and complicated as it will be with her rich and silky vocals coming through effortlessly on the AK120. With the latest firmware version installed, DSD sampler tracks are simply astonishing with an amazing deep bass and the rich tones of the orchestral pieces seeming more lifelike than ever before.
