1-Year Local Warranty.
Any mention of "us," "we," "our," etc is by Astell&Kern, not AV One.
Features
What’s in the Box
Complete Separation of Digital and Analogue Signals in a HEXA-Audio Circuitry Structure
Astell&Kern equipped the PS10 with the same innovative HEXA audio circuit design first developed for the flagship SP3000. The PD10 consists of four AKM AK4498EX DACs and two separate AK4191EQ chips that handle digital signals. The PD10 is the world’s first DAP incorporating the newly released AK4498EX chip.
Most digital players process digital and analogue signals together inside the DAC. However, Astell&Kern’s advanced HEXA structure reduces the noise of the digital signal input through the AK4191EQ, a separate digital delta-sigma modulator, and the AK4498EX DAC is then designed to process the analogue signals separately.
By physically and perfectly separating digital and analogue signal processing, the PD10 delivers an astonishing level of sound that has seldom been experienced before.
Stunning Audio Performance with Independent Dual Audio Circuits
To create not just a great DAP, but a truly innovative DAP, Astell&Kern worked to overcome the limitations of sound by designing an independent dual audio circuit for unbalanced and balanced outputs.
Almost all other DAPs use the same internal DAC for both unbalanced and balanced outputs. Since the signal from the DAC is divided into unbalanced and balanced then delivered to the AMP, an Audio Switch is essential. When using a switch, there is a limit to the range of signal sent by the DAC, so most DAPs reduce the signal size first and then when the signal is transmitted back to the amplifier, it is necessary to restore the original signal size. This causes a limitation in improving the audio performance.
By creating two separate audio circuits, one for balanced output and a second for unbalanced output, Astell&Kern maximises audio performance no matter what output is being used.
Impedance-Adaptive Dual Amplifiers
To cater to the diverse listening environments of users, the PD10 is equipped with two distinct amplifiers. Different sound tunings have been applied to each amp, taking into consideration the average impedance of connected earphones and headphones.
The Normal Gain AMP reproduces delicate details and delivers high-purity sound, faithfully reproducing the original sound.
The High Gain AMP excels in handling complex and dynamic sounds, rendering audio signals more vividly and with greater clarity for a more immersive listening experience.
By incorporating two distinct amplifiers in a single player, users can tailor the sound based on the earphones and headphones used.
Smart Gain – Automatic Amplifier Matching Mode
The moment a headphone or earphone is connected to the PS10, the player instantly checks the impedance of the connected device and automatically sets the appropriate AMP.
Regardless of which earphones or headphones are connected, the PD10 automatically distinguishes between low and high impedance and matches it with the optimal AMP, without the user having to worry about manually changing settings to find the optimal match.
Earphones with an impedance of 32ohm or less are set to Normal Gain, providing a maximum output of 5.5Vrms when connected to the balanced output, and earphones greater than 32ohm are set to High Gain, providing ample output of up to 8.3Vrms for balanced out.
The Smart Gain function optimises amplifier matching, providing audio enthusiasts who own a wide variety of headphones and earphones with a unique and refined listening experience.
Docking Cradle for Home Use
With the included cradle, the PD10 is not only a portable device, but can also be used as a home audio source. Simultaneous device charging and digital signal input via the USB port is supported when the PD10 is mounted in the cradle. The XLR balanced outputs on the back of the cradle allows connection to a two-channel home audio system or directly to powered speakers. XLR output levels can be controlled using the PD10's volume controls or set at a fixed output level by enabling the line out option in settings. An LED on the front of the cradle displays bit-rate information of the track currently playing based on colour.
The player includes 256GB of internal memory with support for microSD cards up to 2TB, dual-band 2.4/5Ghz a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, DLNA networking, USB digital audio output, USB-C for data transfer and charging, and the ability to use the PD10 as an external DAC via Bluetooth or a direct USB connection to a Mac or Windows-based PC. A 6-inch Full HD (1080x2160) touch screen provides a high-resolution display. The PD10 supports native playback of high-res PCM music up to 32-bit, 768kHz and DSD512. A LED ring around the power button provides information on the bit-rate of the currently playing track.
Body:
Stainless steel in silver colour
Dimensions:
2.96" (75.4mm) W × 5.88" (149.5mm) H × 0.68" (17.3mm) D
Weight:
15.34oz (435g)
DAC:
AKM4191EQ ×2 (Dual Modulator) + AKM4498EX ×4 (Dual+Dual DAC)
Audio Output Levels:
Normal Gain: Unbalanced 2.6Vrms | Balanced 5.6Vrms
High Gain: Unbalanced 4Vrms | Balanced 8.3Vrms
Cradle XLR Output: 5.6Vrms
Signal-to-Noise Ratio:
125dB @ 1kHz (Unbalanced) | 128dB @ 1kHz (Balanced)
THD+N:
0.0007% @ 1kHz (Unbalanced) | 0.0006% @ 1kHz (Balanced)
Output Impedance:
Unbalanced 1Ω | Balanced 1.6Ω
Clock Jitter:
25pS (Typical) with 250 Femto Seconds reference
Battery:
5,770mAh 3.8V Li-Polymer with ~4 hour charge time (PD3.0)
Connectivity:
USB-C, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), Bluetooth 5.3
Outputs:
3.5mm Unbalanced/Optical, 4.4mm Balanced (5-pole)
Supported Audio Formats:
WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF
OS Support:
Windows 8, 10, 11 (32/64bit), MAC OS X 10.7
