After extensive research and development,
Astell & Kern are proud to announce the
AK PA10, the first lightweight, fully portable Class-A headphone amplifier. Powered by the innovative TERATON ALPHA technology, the AK PA10 delivers stunningly high-quality analog sound anywhere, anytime, with the ability to control gain and amp current for the ideal listening experience with a wide range of listening devices, including 16- to 300-ohm headphones and IEMs.
The AK PA10 sports unbalanced 3.5mm and, rare for portable amps, balanced 4.4mm inputs and outputs as well as a USB-C port for convenient device charging. With up to 12 hours of playback time through the internal, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, you can enjoy audiophile-quality sound on long trips, commutes, walks in the park, get-togethers, or simply in the comfort of your own home.
Great headphone amps generate true and pure sound reproduction, but only when every part of the design, such as power, noise, signal transition, circuit structures, etc. are carefully designed and implemented. AK PA10 is small enough to be portable but operates seamlessly with a wide variety of headphones and IEMs, and it is enhanced with the addition of TERATON ALPHA technology, which is an AK Ultimate Sound Solution, allowing for playback of ultrahigh-quality sound without any distortion.
TERATON ALPHA, engineered through many years of research, is Astell & Kern's unique technology that has been designed to produce audio playback that is as close to the original sound as possible via effective power noise removal, efficient power management, unwavering amplification, and a fully converted audio output interface.
Class-A amps offer the best linear output, providing soft, warm, and natural sounds by amplifying signals without distortions or defects. This characteristic makes them the most sought-after amplification method by music lovers, though it has traditionally been considered impossible for portable audio devices, as they require high power consumption and pose challenging design limitations in handheld devices.
AK PA10 integrates a Class-A amp based on the quality circuit technology of Astell & Kern, offering signature analog sounds. With a unique circuit design that reduces power consumption and increases output while removing noise, AK PA10 is specifically designed to deliver the amazing sounds of a Class-A amp anywhere and at any time.
AK PA10 offers a three-stage control of Class-A amp current, emphasizing the characteristics of Class-A amps relative to the current value and creating a more intense sound. A&K addressed the concern of battery drain due to power consumption, the major reason why Class-A amps are not commonly used for portable devices, by controlling the current value.
You can create sounds that suit the characteristics of headphones and IEMs through the three-stage current control option. Switch between Low (default), Mid (+50mA), and High (+100mA) to find your preferred current draw.
Sufficient amplifier output is required to extract all the subtle nuances in music when played back through varying headphones and IEMs. When connected to the balanced input, AK PA10 can support up to 6.2 Vrms output at high gain.
Choose the gain level that offers the best sound of the headphone and IEM that you use to enjoy crystal-clear audio. AK PA10 brings out the full potential that your audio device has to offer. Choose between Low Gain and High Gain modes to find the perfect balance for your preferred headphones.
Most portable headphone amps switch 3.5mm unbalanced signals to 4.4mm balanced signals or do not support a 4.4mm balanced connections at all. Such input/output combinations limit users from using the pure balanced output of the source device, resulting in loss of signal during the transition process.
Rare for a portable Class-A amp, AK PA10 supports 4.4mm true balanced I/O for high output and vivid audio. It also supports 3.5mm unbalanced input and output ports, so that you can use it with a wider variety of devices.
AK PA10 comes with a built-in 4200mAh lithium-ion polymer battery for 12 hours of continuous playback time without needing to connect it to a power source. Enjoy the analog sound of Astell & Kern anywhere and at any time with AK PA10, which offers great portability and extra long playtime.
