- Astell & Kern PD20 is here
- It offers a listening test and a triple amplifier design.
- On sale at the end of March for $1,970/£1,799 (around AU$3,000)
I can’t say I’m the primary target audience for the best digital audio player; I don’t have thousands (or even hundreds) to spend on equipment like this, so I end up focusing on the ultra-cheap options like the Majority MP3. But a new release from Astell & Kern is really catching my attention.
Just a few days after their new copper DAP was one of the devices I played with at a high-end audio show, A&K revealed a new device. Meet the Astell & Kern PD20, which goes on sale in mid-March for $1,970/£1,799 (around AU$3,000).
The main feature of this new digital audio player (often abbreviated to DAP by people who know these things) is that it comes with a “personal sound” system, as A&K calls it. This uses the included in-ear headphones (yes, no need to worry about purchasing IEMs separately) to analyze your hearing and create a personalized listening profile just for you. The idea is that you can compensate for any defects or deficiencies in your own hearing; After all, our ears are all unique. For example, if you have trouble hearing the bass, you could increase it a little.
This feature was designed with Audiodo, another testament to its usefulness: this company also designed the built-in listening test in headphones like the Nothing Ear (3), CMF Headphone Pro, and Noble FoKus Amadeus. We praise all three, so expectations are high.
It looks like the listening test requires dedicated headphones, so make sure you don’t lose them – it could affect resale value and exclude you from the key feature.
I love listening tests, and while an increasing number of wireless headphones come with their own proprietary solutions, they’re pretty hit or miss. I imagine a respected company like Astell & Kern will do well, especially when working with a reputable audio design brand.
Sounds good PS
Beyond its listening test, the A&K PD20 has some other attractions. It uses a triple-amplifier design, with one slider that lets you easily switch between three listening modes and a second slider that lets you adjust the amplifier current for even more control over your sound.
There are four DACs built in and the device uses the Digital Audio Remaster technology that also comes in the fantastic SP4000. This creates a more natural sound by subjecting the audio signal to several stages of processing to restore lost sound.
You can use the PD20 as a USB-connected DAC for computers (both Windows and Mac), which is a great bonus. It offers 2-channel stereo sound and equalizer control that doesn’t interrupt playback. There is a wheel of sound,
The PD20 has 256GB of memory and you can increase it up to 2TB with microSD cards, and it supports aptX HD, LDAC and BT Sink wirelessly to also act as a Bluetooth DAC.
The device itself has a 6-inch FHD+ display and, according to A&K, is rated for around 14 hours of playback if you’re not listening to high-end codecs. It has 3.5mm and 4.4mm output jacks and a USB-C port for charging or connecting to a computer.
It all sounds pretty good, but we’ll have to let our dedicated audio reviewers get their hands (and ears) on it to see how well it performs. Watch this space…
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