News

Astell&Kern has introduced its new desktop headphone amp with digital audio player (DAP) capabilities – the ACRO CA1000, which features a four-step gain level that drives high-impedance headphones with a 15Vrms output or below. It boasts 3.5mm and 6.35mm unbalanced, and 2.5mm and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs, plus an array of digital/analogue inputs, while the onboard ESS ES9068AS Quad-DAC supports high-resolution audio playback up to 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD512.

Using Astell&Kern’s patented TERATON ALPHA Sound Solution technology, it has Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD and LDAC codecs supported. Its 8,400mAh built-in battery provides up to 10.5 hours playback, while USB-PD fast charging means that anyone with a charger that supports USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) can experience improved charging times – a one hour blast provides 50 percent battery, while it takes 2.5 hours for a full charge. A green light on the ACRO CA1000 will indicate when USB-PD fast charging is active.

The ACRO CA1000 boasts 256GB built-in memory that can be expanded up to 1TB via a microSD card slot. Elsewhere, Replay Gain functionality automatically and uniformly adjusts volume playback from sound sources up to 24-bit/192 kHz.

A BT Sink function connects the ACRO CA1000 to an external device, such as a smartphone, via Bluetooth, and alongside dual-band wi-fi support, the headphone amplifier features AK File Drop for wireless file transfers. Users can wirelessly transfer files through a PC, smartphone or FTP programme located on the same network. Control is made easy thanks to the inclusion of a 4.1in touchscreen, which can be angled up to 60°.

The ACRO CA1000 measures 105 x 45 x 149mm (WxHxD), weighs approximately 9.9g and comes in a moon silver aluminium finish..

Available to buy now for £2,000, you can find out more about the ACRO CA1000 here.