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Astell&Kern AK100II - Next Generation Portable HiFi System The Astell&Kern AK100II sets a new standard in portable high-resolution audio, delivering rich, warm sound with advanced features designed for audiophiles seeking exceptional music playback on the go. Key Features Single DAC with Balanced Output for superior sound quality Supports 5.6 MHz DSD playback via DSD to PCM conversion Full USB DAC functionality compatible with PC and Mac Wi-Fi enabled for MQS streaming and network playback 3.31" AMOLED full touchscreen with intuitive album and music list views Detailed 10-band EQ with 0.5 dB step adjustments and multiple user presets 64GB internal storage plus microSD slot supporting up to 128GB (total 192GB) Over-The-Air (OTA) firmware updates for seamless improvements Sound Quality and Output The AK100II focuses on delivering sound that "feels" right, prioritising auditory experience over purely mechanical specifications. It features a single CS4398 DAC paired with a re-tuned amplifier designed specifically for balanced output, providing dramatic depth and clarity in audio performance. Balanced vs Unbalanced Output: Unlike the common unbalanced output, which uses left/right signals plus a ground line that cannot fully block external noise, the balanced output adds a cold signal to cancel out noise effectively. This results in cleaner sound and increased output power, especially over longer cable runs. 5.6 MHz DSD Support The AK100II supports high-resolution 5.6 MHz DSD playback by converting DSD to 176 kHz PCM using its Dual Core CPU, overcoming previous hardware limitations that restricted DSD playback to 2.8 MHz. USB DAC Functionality The AK100II fully supports USB DAC functionality, allowing it to act as an external DAC (sound card) when connected to a PC or Mac via USB. This enables high-quality sound output from stored music on any computer. Specifications: Supports USB Audio Class 1.0 (UAC 1.0) output at 24-bit/96 kHz. Note that EQ settings are not applied during USB DAC mode. Network Playback and MQS Streaming With built-in Wi-Fi, the AK100II allows wireless streaming and downloading of music from your PC or Mac on the same network without the need for file transfers. Simply install the "Astell&Kern MQS Streaming Server" software on your computer and share your music folder. Over-The-Air (OTA) Firmware Updates The AK100II supports OTA firmware updates, notifying users of new firmware releases automatically when connected to Wi-Fi, ensuring your device stays up to date effortlessly. Display and User Interface The device features a 3.31" AMOLED full touchscreen, an 82% increase in size over the previous model. The larger screen offers enhanced album view with six albums displayed at once and an improved music list with two-line title display for easier navigation. Advanced Equaliser The AK100II offers a detailed 10-band equaliser with 0.5 dB step adjustments, doubling the bands and halving the step size compared to the previous model. Multiple user EQ presets allow custom sound profiles for different music genres. Storage Capacity The AK100II includes 64GB of internal flash storage and supports a microSD card up to 128GB, providing a total maximum storage capacity of 192GB. This allows storage of approximately 625 MQS (24bit/96kHz, 4-minute, 90MB) songs internally. Specifications DAC: CS4398 Single DAC with Balanced Output Display: 3.31" AMOLED full touchscreen Storage: 64GB internal + microSD slot (up to 128GB) DSD Support: Up to 5.6 MHz via DSD to PCM conversion USB DAC: Supports UAC 1.0 (24-bit/96 kHz) Connectivity: Wi-Fi for MQS streaming and OTA updates EQ: 10-band, 0.5 dB step with multiple user presets What's in the Box Astell&Kern AK100II Portable HiFi Player USB Cable User Manual Protective Case (if included)