Astell&Kern AK500N

[SoundRebels]

Just arrived on tests - Astell&Kern MQS Portable System AK500N

 

[Audioseduction]

What is that?

 

[Audioseduction]

I see it's a music server. I have to say it's ugly looking. Looks like something Darth Vader would own.

 

[highEndguy]

Price $?

 

[SoundRebels]

This is All in One hi-res network player,RipNAS & DAC for ... $12,000

 

[Ritmo]

I hope it sounds good. The looks are not very appealing.

 

[SoundRebels]

I hope it sounds good. The looks are not very appealing.

After several hours of playing sound is much better than Yesterday ;-)

 

[bmichels]

After several hours of playing sound is much better than Yesterday ;-)

Did you tried it's headphone out ?

Does it sound better than the AK240 that cost 1/4 it's price ...

 

[SoundRebels]

Did you tried it's headphone out ?

Does it sound better than the AK240 that cost 1/4 it's price ...

Not Yet, but after 48h of burn in the sound is very mellow and detailed, but without any offensiveness.

 

[bmichels]

Not Yet, but after 48h of burn in the sound is very mellow and detailed, but without any offensiveness.

I will be VERY VERY interested to hear your listening feed-back

- Expecially if you can compare it to the AK240 that I know well (I am quite anxious about it's PDM->DSD conversion that seems to be mandatory instead of a feature the user can choose...if I understand well)

- Also, I would like to know if AK500n can stream HiFi quality from QOBUZ like it is possible with an AK240.

 

[SoundRebels]

bmichels - I'll try to compare AK500n vs AK240.

 

[bmichels]

bmichels - I'll try to compare AK500n vs AK240.

thanks a lot

 

[SoundRebels]

....

- Also, I would like to know if AK500n can stream HiFi quality from QOBUZ like it is possible with an AK240.

Unfortunately for now (according to manual) "The currently supported STORE is ‘Groovers’.(...) Purchase/Payment via ‘Groovers’ is only available in the Republic of Korea." . But keep in faith, because even dedicated remote app isn't available now (should be released on April).

 

[SoundRebels]

Thanks to Polish A&K distributor I've received AK240 with dedicated dock and headphones AK T5p / Beyerdynamic-Astell&Kern Special Edition:

 

[bmichels]

Thanks to Polish A&K distributor I've received AK240 with dedicated dock and headphones AK T5p / Beyerdynamic-Astell&Kern Special Edition:

Lucky man....you have a wonderful job

 

[SoundRebels]

Yep, and I love it :-D

 

[bmichels]

so... now you can compare the AK500 and the AK240, booth with SE & balanced headphones...

Will be interested to know also if the AK500 headphone amp is the same than the AK240's Amp or if it is more powerfull...

 

[SoundRebels]

David vs Goliath - Astell&Kern​ AK240 vs AK500N :-D

 

[bmichels]

Si let's the fightstart ��

 

[SoundRebels]

With AK T5p on balanced output AK500N is a little bit powerful, but ... When You decide to use longer cable than with AK240 connection for me it has no sense to invest in AK500. From my point of view AK500N is very serious Hi-Fi/High-End gear and its place is in full size systems