Astell&Kern AK240

Compact high-res digital audio player. DSD (Direct Stream Digital) is a digital audio file format originally developed for SACDs (Super Audio CD). Regular digital audio file formats such as PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) is separated into 65,000 (16bit) to 16,700,000 (24bit) of information on the Y axis, and 44,100 (44.1kHz) to 192,000 (192kHz) across the X axis for digital signals. DSD files have 1bit (0s or 1s) for Y axis and is separated into 2,800,000(2.8MHz) to 5,600,000 (5.6 MHz) of information for X axis. One of the approaches we decided that would help us move a step closer to the original sound quality was to provide native DSD playback without having to convert it into PCM. This was indeed a difficult task. In order to provide native DSD playback on the AK240, we had to select a different DAC chipset. Making the decision to change the DAC was not easy, but in order to reach our goal, we had to make a bold move which was to start from scratch. The unbalanced method is the most commonly used basic method which consists of ''left and right signals + ground line''. This setup includes a ground line which blocks out external noises from the outside. However, since the ground line cannot block out all of the external noises completely, external noises can be mixed into the signals that are transmitted, which then result in changes to the sound. The longer the signals travel, the more external noises that will be mixed into the sound which is why it is used within a short distance of 1 to 2 meters. Frequency response: +/- 0,023 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz) // +/- 0,3 dB (10 Hz - 70 kHz). Max. SPL: 116 dB / 1 kHz. Impedance: 1 / 2 Ohm. Dimensions 66 x 107 x 17,5 mm. Weight: 185 g.