I’m a giant fan of Astell & Kern’s sound, and I’ve owned a few their market main DAPs through the years. So, I’m all the time excited to see their latest creations. The AK HB1 is Astell & Kern’s first moveable Bluetooth DAC/Amp, hoping to hitch the likes of FiiO’s BTR5 and iFi’s Go blu in market recognition. What sort of options does the AK HB1 supply? And extra vital, how does it sound?
What’s within the Field?
-
AK HB1 Moveable Bluetooth DAC/AMP
-
USB Sort-C to USB Sort-C Cable
-
USB Sort-C to Lightning Cable
-
Fast Begin Information
-
Guarantee Card
Look and Construct
The AK HB1 is compact little gadget, approximating the dimensions of different best-selling DAC/amps, such because the FiiO BTR5 and iFi Go Blu, although the AK HB1 is admittedly boxier in its very Astell & Kerny method. The DAC may be very light-weight, although not so mild as to make it really feel low cost or flimsy. On the correct aspect of the gadget is a quantity knob along with 3 skinny sliver buttons that management a variety of capabilities, corresponding to Bluetooth pairing, monitor navigation and name answering. Between these buttons are two LED lights that point out data such because the file kind being performed or the battery standing. On the highest of the DAC, you may discover 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced outputs, whereas the underside of the DAC has the USB-C enter.
Design
The whole lot in regards to the AK HB1 appears to be about making your life simpler, however with no working app and a complete consumer information, you could be left feeling a tad silly at occasions. The app didn’t work for me, however I’d count on Astell & Kern to launch an replace quickly. It’s a disgrace for now although, as a result of the HB1 appears to have some helpful options. Along with an equalizer, the AK HB1 provides Bluetooth multi-point performance. There’s a BT Precedence Mode that means that you can obtain a name out of your cellphone, even whereas the USB DAC perform is in use. However with out the app, I’ve no method of figuring out what mode I’m in or how one can swap modes. Nonetheless, it looks like you don’t want the app for each utility; the gadget additionally has a Automotive Mode, as an example, that activates routinely as soon as the AK HB1 is plugged into the automobile’s AUX port.
Lastly, one of many AK HB1’s large promoting factors is its compatibility with all types of gaming units. Particularly, the HB1 helps UAC 1.0 connections along with UAC 2.0. And since many gaming units nonetheless solely help UAC 1.0 connections, the AK HB1 seems to be a uniquely versatile DAC for avid gamers.
DAC
The AK HB1 incorporates ESS’s ES9281AC PRO DAC.
Energy Output
The amp on the HB1 produces a formidable 4 Vrms output (balanced connection). To see how far I might push the AK HB1, I paired it with the Beyerdynamic DT 1770, which has an impedance at 250 Ohms. Whereas there was little headroom, the AK HB1 did an honest job of driving the cans. So, whilst you could not have the ability to drive a brilliant hungry planar magnetic headphone, for instance, the AK HB1 remains to be no slouch.
Battery
You’ll get round 6 hours of battery life from the AK HB1. That mentioned, the gadget is ready to cost and be in use on the identical time. The gadget takes about 1.5 hours to completely cost by way of USB cable.
Bluetooth
AK HB1 sports activities Qualcomm’s CSR8675 Bluetooth chipset, and helps Bluetooth 5.0. Pairing was tremendous quick and straightforward, and even in the midst of Manhattan, I by no means skilled any dropouts or interruptions.
Hello-Res Capabilities
The AK HB1 helps Native DSD256 and 32 bit/384 kHz playback, along with its capacity to render MQA information.
Additional Options
In the event you’re an audiophile who makes lots of calls, the AK HB1 may be an optimum answer. The AK HB1 employs a 4-pole in-line MIC, and incorporates Qualcomm’s Clear Voice Seize know-how, which minimizes ambient noise and enhances caller readability.
As talked about above, as soon as the A&Ok updates its app, it’s best to have in-app management over the gadget’s equalizer. As well as, it is possible for you to to modify between DAC filters, in addition to management different settings, like Automotive Mode and Machine Precedence.
Sound Impressions
What’s so spectacular in regards to the AK HB1 is that it sounds as virtually pretty much as good as my Astell & Kern SR35 DAP, which is round 3 occasions the value. And though the presentation is comparatively impartial, you’ll hear enhanced richness to the tonality and considerably improved transparency. You may as well count on cleaner layering of devices, partly, due to the stainless separation that the AK HB1 delivers. And total that extremely managed A&Ok character comes by way of within the efficiency, which all the time feels disciplined and tightly outlined. Lastly, whereas you should not count on any magical transformation to your soundstage, you’re going to get a contact of added depth and spaciousness along with extra exact imaging total.
Abstract
Whereas I’m left feeling a bit impatient for Astell & Kern to launch an replace to its companion app, there’s no query that AK HB1 sounds rattling candy. Tremendous detailed and well-controlled, the AK HB1 delivers a sound high quality that approximates its higher-priced gamers. So, if you happen to don’t thoughts ready for A&Ok to incorporate a working app with equalizer management (and different neat options), you may at the least relaxation assured that the AK HB1 sounds implausible out of the field.
You should purchase the Astell & Kern AK HB1 at Audio 46.
