Astell&Kern Launches First Portable Headphone Amplifier With Pure Class-A Technology

South Korean award-winning audio brand Astell&Kern has announced its new PA10 Class-A headphone amplifier for people who want the ultimate sound while on the move. Enhanced Astell&Kern’s own TERATON ALPHA sonic technology, the new portable amplifier is designed to deliver a more natural, spacious and distortion-free analog sound to premium headphones.

The PA10 is the first portable Class-A amplifier from Astell&Kern and is designed to extract all the subtle nuances in high-resolution music when played back through headphones and IEMs. Astell&Kern claims the overall sound is warm, detailed and refined thanks to the company’s expertise in amplifier circuit design technology that reduces power consumption while increasing output and eliminating distortions or defects.

Astell&Kern’s TERATON ALPHA technology is designed to produce audio playback as close as possible to the original recording by effectively removing power noise and delivering unwavering amplification.

The AK PA10 integrates an analog Class-A amplifier with reduced power consumption and higher output while eliminating noise. The PA10 has two gain levels and the current is controlled to suit a wide range of headphones and IEMs to create intensive and spatial sound.

Despite its compact size, the AK PA10 has Pentaconn 4.4mm True Balanced input/output, while its crossfeed function uses a proper electronic circuit rather than digital software. Astell&Kern says this produces a more seamless and sophisticated crossfeed effect without degrading the original sound.

Like all Astell&Kern products, the PA10 has the same angular and industrial exterior design that fits well in the user’s hand, thanks to its strong aluminum body.

Pricing & Availability: The Astell&Kern PA10 is available from the company’s website and selected retailers for $550 / £549 / €629.

More info: astellnkern.com and astellnkern.co.uk.

Tech Specs:

• Model: AK PA10.
• Finish: Graphite gray.
• Material: Aluminum and silicone.
• Analog inputs: Unbalanced 3.5mm / Balanced 4.4mm.
• Headphone outputs: Unbalanced 3.5mm / Balanced 4.4mm.
• Max input level: Unbalanced 2Vrms / Balanced 4Vrms.
• Output level: [Low Gain] Unbalanced 2.1Vrms / Balanced 4.2Vrms (Condition No Load), [High Gain] Unbalanced 3.1Vrms / Balanced 6.2Vrms (Condition No Load).
• Dimensions: 73 x 140 x 23.3mm [WxHxD].
• Weight: 325g.
• Charging port: USB-C.
• Frequency response: [Low Gain] ±0.2dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalanced / ±0.2dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Balanced [High Gain] ±0.06dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalanced / ±0.06dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Balanced.
• S/N: [Low Gain] 111dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 115dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
• [High Gain] 114dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 117dB @ 1kHz, Balanced.
• THD+N: [Low Gain] 0.0045% @1kHz, Unbalanced / 0.0015% @1kHz, Balanced
• [High Gain] 0.0027% @1kHz, Unbalanced / 0.0013% @1kHz, Balanced.
• Crosstalk: [Low Gain] -83dB @ 1kHz Unbalanced / -110dB @ 1kHz Balanced
• [High Gain] -83dB @ 1kHz Unbalanced / -110dB @ 1kHz Balanced.
• Output impedance: 3.5mm (1.1Ω) / 4.4mm (1.3Ω)
• Battery capacity: 4,200mAh 3.8V Li-Polymer.
• Charge time: About 3 hours (Standard - 9V / 1.67A Fast Charging) | About 4 hours (Standard - 5V / 2A General Charging).
• Playback time: About 12 hours (Unbalanced / Input - 1Vrms / Low Gain / Volume 30%).

Comments are closed.