If you like to follow the audio device development, you must
be familiar with Astell & Kern. This brand is very well known for its
super-premium portable music players. Astell & Kern products are touted as
the audiophiles' iPod.
But recently, Astell & Kern does something different.
This company spreads its wings from portable segment to home-based segment by
introducing all-in-one audio system device called AK T1, this device combines a
series of speakers, amplifiers, and connectivity that are packed in metal
design which looks modern.
AK T1 looks very different form the other hi-fi audio devices
you used to see. The shape looks like a podium, with a vertical longitudinal
section that's containing six speakers: a pair of 0.75-inch tweeters, a pair of
2-inch midrange drivers and a pair of 6.5-inch woofers.
The six speakers are powered by innovative hybrid amplifier
system: analog amplifier for a pair of its tweeters, digital amplifier for
midrange drivers and woofers. This combination is claimed to produce a balanced
sound at a frequency of 48-22000 Hz.
Borrowing the technology that's carried by Astell &
Kern's portable music players, AK T1 also comes with a pair of DAC
(digital-to-analog converter) chip that's made by Cirrus Logic which has a high
reputation among audiophiles. With this chip, AK T1 is able to play audio files
in various formats, either 24-bit / 192kHz lossless or DSD that are regarded as
the best formats in the digital music industry.
About the connectivity, there are a series of ports that can
be used as sources. You can plug the microSD to play music directly without
connecting other devices, or by using a USB connection, optical or standard 3.5
mm jack.
To accommodate the modern generation, AK T1 is also equipped
with wireless technology. You can forward the music from a mobile device via
Bluetooth, or play music that's stored on NAS via Wi-Fi (DLNA) or Ethernet. You
can set all of them through the 4 inch touch screen which has a neat user
interface.
Because it's categorized as hi-fi device, Astell & KernAK T1 is offered at a high price, i.e. $ 3,700 per unit. AK T1 will soon be
available in selected dealerships by the end of August.