Astell & Kern revealed their new flagship digital audio player - the AK240

[snowComet]

Astell & Kern was known for their expensive high end audio player, like the AK100 & AK120. In CES 2014, they have revealed their new flagship model, AK240.

 

AK240 is a digital audio player that runs on custom OS, not Android. It includes a 3.31in AMOLED touchscreen with 800x480 resolution; Dual Cirrus Logic 4398 Digital-to-Analogue Converter chipsets and native DSD support – including DSD64 and DSD128 files. It also includes T256GB internal memory, and a microSD card slot supporting up to 64GB of microSD card storage.

 

 

 

This player will be available in q1 2014. For its price, it is not yet confirmed, but there are some rumors over head-fi.org that it may priced at $2400. Interestingly, this player is now available for pre-order in Hong Kong for HK$29,000 (around USD$3700) .

 

http://www.whathifi.com/news/astell-kern-unveils-new-ak240-portable-audio-player-at-ces

 

product page:

http://www.astellnkern.com/kor/htm/ak240/ak240_feature.asp

 

TBH, it would be ridiculously expensive if the price is really $2400 ( or even $3700 ). I would buy Sony's ZX1, or the AK100 MK II if I want a digital audio player.

[SirRoderick]

That seems LUDICROUSLY expensive for a music player O-o

 

What the hell are they charging for?

[kuddlesworth9419]

Could they make one that is under £100 because then I could actually buy one. I have been looking for a decent music player for a while but they are all either too expensive (£1000+) or they are too cheap and are crap.

[LAwLz]

Could they make one that is under £100 because then I could actually buy one. I have been looking for a decent music player for a while but they are all either too expensive (£1000+) or they are too cheap and are crap.

Sansa Clip+

[Dudenstein]

Yeah...my 120gb ipod classic works fine...I'll just keep using it

[MatheusSanzo]

For that price... My reaction was the same as the avatar above me.

[kuddlesworth9419]

Sansa Clip+

Thanks, that is a really cool little music player. it even plays FLAC. Do you know if you can use Sennheiser 558's with it though. 

[Lukiose]

256GB?, time to load up this with all FLACs! 

'Looks at price'

 

[LAwLz]

Thanks, that is a really cool little music player. it even plays FLAC. Do you know if you can use Sennheiser 558's with it though. 

The 558's might be a bit of a stretch. The problem is that while the Sansa Clip+ might be able to drive them properly for the most part, the 558's has a massive impedance spike (several it goes above 200 ohm if I recall correctly) at some frequencies and they might not get enough power for that. Your best bet is to Google it.

[SnypeUXD]

Could they make one that is under £100 because then I could actually buy one. I have been looking for a decent music player for a while but they are all either too expensive (£1000+) or they are too cheap and are crap.

Another really good Hi-Fi company called Fiio already has. They released their new Fiio X3 just last year for just $200 USD. They also have a higher end (X5) and lower end (X1) in the works.

[kuddlesworth9419]

The 558's might be a bit of a stretch. The problem is that while the Sansa Clip+ might be able to drive them properly for the most part, the 558's has a massive impedance spike (several it goes above 200 ohm if I recall correctly) at some frequencies and they might not get enough power for that. Your best bet is to Google it.

No it's 50 ohm.

[kuddlesworth9419]

Another really good Hi-Fi company called Fiio already has. They released their new Fiio X3 just last year for just $200 USD. They also have a higher end (X5) and lower end (X1) in the works.

Thanks a bunch. Because of you I have finally found a replacement cable for my 558's. The cable that comes with the headphones is way too long and the connector needs a converter that comes with it to fit into the standard sized jack port so it sticks out too much. The one I found is really nice too and cheap.