- The Astell & Kern PD20 is here
- Offers a listening test and triple amplifier design
- On sale at the end of March for $1,970 / £1,799 (approx AU$3,000)
I can’t say I’m the core audience for the best digital audio player – I don’t have thousands (or even hundreds) to spend on kit like this, so it’s the ultra-cheap options like Majority MP3 that I end up focusing on. But a new release from Astell & Kern really catches my attention.
Just a few days after its new copper DAP was one of the gadgets I played with at a high-end audio show, A&K has unveiled a new device. Meet the Astell & Kern PD20, which is set to go on sale in mid-March for $1,970 / £1,799 (about AU$3,000).
The main feature of this new digital audio player (often shortened to DAP by people who know such things) is that it comes with a “Personal Sound” system, as A&K calls it. This uses the packaged in-ear headphones – yes, no need to worry about buying separate IEMs – to analyze your hearing and create a tailored listening profile for you. The idea is that it can compensate for any errors or deficiencies in your own hearing; After all, our ears are all unique. For example, if you have trouble hearing bass, it can boost it a little bit.
This feature was designed with Audiodo, another testament to its usefulness: this company also designed the built-in listening test in headphones such as Nothing Ear (3), CMF Headphone Pro and Noble FoKus Amadeus. We praised all three, so expectations are high.
It sounds like the listening test requires the dedicated headphones, so make sure you don’t lose them: it could affect the resale value and cut you off from key functionality.
I absolutely love listening tests, and while an increasing number of wireless earphones are coming up with their own proprietary solutions, they’re pretty hit-or-miss. I imagine a respected company like Astell & Kern will get it right, especially when working with a reputable sound design brand.
Sounds PD good
In addition to its listening test, the A&K PD20 has a few other features. It uses a triple amp design, with a slider that lets you easily switch between three listening modes, and a second slider that lets you adjust the amp’s current for even more control over your sound.
There are four built-in DACs and the unit uses the Digital Audio Remaster technology that also featured in the fantastic SP4000. This creates a more natural sound by putting the audio signal through several stages of processing to restore lost sound.
You can use the PD20 as a USB connected DAC for computers (both Windows and Macs), which is a nice extra. It offers 2-channel stereo sound and EQ control that won’t interrupt your playback. There is a sound wheel,
The PD20 has 256GB of memory and you can bump up to 2TB with microSD card, and it supports aptX HD, LDAC and BT Sink wirelessly to double as a Bluetooth DAC.
The device itself has a 6-inch FHD+ screen and, according to A&K, lasts for around 14 hours of playback if you don’t listen to advanced codecs. It has both 3.5mm and 4.4mm output jacks and a USB-C port for charging or computer connection.
It all sounds pretty nice, but we’ll have to let our dedicated audio reviewers get their hands (and ears) on it to see how well it runs. Watch this space…
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