Astell & Kern AK100 II initial review

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by bart

Stephen, thank you for your detailed description!

I was thinking about purchasing a portable headphone amp to connect with my iPod, but this might be the way of traveling even lighter and still having better sound quality.
What is your opinion about Chord Hugo and the likes in comparison with the Astell & Kern devices?

Bart,
Yes, this would definitely be less bulky and troublesome than strapping via a rubber band a headphone amp to your iPod, plus it blows the iPod into the weeds with respect to sound quality. You can't really drive it very loud with 300 ohm cans like Senns, but Senn Momentums, etc. or any quality IEM will amaze you.

Haven't heard the Chord Hugo, but I read a review of it by Purrin and a panel of reviewers at that headphone site in a comprehensive DAC review, and he and his panel of reviewers did not like it at all. Also, the Hugo is quite a bit larger, bulkier and heavier than an A&K 100 II, which is literally about the size of an iPhone 5, just thicker. It's screen is about the size of an iPhone 4.

I know I'm coming across with a lot of superlatives, but I am extremely impressed with this device. The sound quality on this thing is quite astonishingly good; and I'm not saying that 'cause I own one or have an agenda, it really is pretty astonishing. And in the best possible way, just pure, clean, and extremely natural-sounding MUSIC.

[scirica]

I really, REALLY, hate reviews like this for the simple fact that I now am considering a new product that I want but can't afford yet. The clincher for for me was when you described the sound via the Shure se535's, which are my primary travel earphones. I've never had the pleasure of listening to hi Rez music with them but I know how great they are just with my iPhone.

I need to pack up my Shures and find a local B&M store for a demo. Any national chains carry this brand?

Thanks for the inspiring review!

[bart]

Originally Posted by scirica

I really, REALLY, hate reviews like this for the simple fact that I now am considering a new product that I want but can't afford yet.

That makes 2 of us!


Already reading other reviews on the web...

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by bart

That makes 2 of us!


Already reading other reviews on the web...

Yes, there's a good one at the guru headphone site...

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by scirica

I really, REALLY, hate reviews like this for the simple fact that I now am considering a new product that I want but can't afford yet. The clincher for for me was when you described the sound via the Shure se535's, which are my primary travel earphones. I've never had the pleasure of listening to hi Rez music with them but I know how great they are just with my iPhone.

I need to pack up my Shures and find a local B&M store for a demo. Any national chains carry this brand?

Thanks for the inspiring review!

Yeah, this thing is pretty amazing with SE535s...I was kinda blown away the first time I tried them with it.

[Chad.Wagner]

I also use the SE535s. Now I want another upgrade.

[imprezap2]

I can also quote numerous other reviews regarding the Chord Hugo with different results.
Same for the AK series, there are good and bad reviews.

Try the Chord Hugo on a good laptop with Foobar and an Audeze LCD-X and be amazed.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by imprezap2

I can also quote numerous other reviews regarding the Chord Hugo with different results.
Same for the AK series, there are good and bad reviews.

Try the Chord Hugo on a good laptop with Foobar and an Audeze LCD-X and be amazed.

Yes, I can't speak about the Chord Hugo personally, I only referenced that the big DAC shootout that I read the reviewer panel didn't care for it much.

The Hugo is, however, quite a bit larger, bulkier and heavier than the A&K AK100 II, though.

Horses for courses.

[imprezap2]

Yes it is a different device, AMP/DAC only, where the AK is a player. That's why I don't understand why you refer to a negative review of the Hugo when Bart is asking if you have compared the two devices, and you haven't heard the Hugo.

With just saying that the Hugo is too large and heavy for you could have been sufficient.

[Glisse]

As others have mentioned, the Chord Hugo is quite a large device and not really portable in the sense of carrying it around in your pocket.

Here's mine connected to my AK120III - Puma Cat's AK100II is a bit shorter than this. And Puma, I did use a Fuji for this shot, in respect for your equipment preferences

HugoAK120II.jpg

I regard them as complementary devices, not competing ones. In terms of their shared functions, the Hugo can drive high impedance headphones well, whilst the A&K struggles (I believe the AK240 amp section is a little more robust).

As DACs, i.e. using the analogue outputs of either device as a source in a stereo system, I think the Hugo is in a different league from my experience with it. But that requires an optimum source (not an A&K player), and serious digital and analogue cables, and how it "fits" as a preamp into the system. And I do not like the Hugo so much with higher resolution material.

In contrast, the A&K players ramp up with higher resolution.

But I would avoid making any definitive generalisation as to whether one product is better than another. Depends entirely on the system, how it is implemented, and in this cases, the headphones being used, and what we like as individuals.

I also have the Sennheiser Momentum over-ears that Puma Cat uses, and agree with everything he said about that combination. They are a terrific match. The Momentums are too bass heavy and closed in with the Hugo.

But my current favourite IEMs are Final Designs Heaven V, and these sound too thin on the AK120II, and fantastic on the Hugo. Of course, I prefer to use IEMs when travelling, and prefer to not take the Hugo for travelling. Murphy's Law

So it's all about synergy. I will check out the SE535s given Puma Cat's comments.