Finally! A new flagship DAP from iRiver! AK100

[Mzeria]

build quality looks quite good

 

[kennethtbh]

any idea whats that knob thing by the side? izzit part of the special volume control feature?

 

[Randius]

Credit goes to Krzysztof Mikołaj Pyzel posting on HeadFonia's facebook page!

He adds:

I had no opportunity to listen iBasso DX100 (you can not buy iBasso in Poland). Iriver is closer to the sound of Colorfly C4 than Hifiman HM-602.

I suppose he meant the sound signature, rather than sound quality? It will be really good if in term of both!

 

[Haonan]

any idea whats that knob thing by the side? izzit part of the special volume control feature?

Should be part of the 150 steps volume control as mentioned in specs, most prolly digital-based and not just an analog pot, like the DX100. One thing I think Hi-Fi portable players like the iBasso DX100 did absolutely right, is their implemented 256-steps digital volume ctrls as it really allows IEM users with sensitive IEMs to control volume levels in precise increments, and this is definitely one area I have to admit that DX100 trashes others PMP players like the Walkman Z and iPods, though I have to emphasize I have no personal exp with regards to how HiFiman/Colorfly DAPs does with their volume ctrls, so I can't speak for how they fare.

Anyway I do agree with bro Randius, somehow the player's overall design still looks weird to me (abit too wide), more notably I think the knob-based volume ctrl part actually spoiled the overall aesthetics feel for me. And I would prefer if the back portion of the player is also made up of that brushed aluminium look, just like my prev HD5. Having it made in glossy plastic material (doesn't look like glass to me), when the front part looks so finely polished, just gives me the vibes that iRiver was actually trying to cut costs along the way by saving on expensive materials.

 

[darkarn]

Finally! I have been waiting for iriver to return to the scene all these while!

 

[TeamStereo]

Nice, used to own their really old models don't remember the name anymore it runs for 50 hours on a single AA battery.

That was the time when 1gb players are considered OK. =x

 

[Randius]

Sounds like the AK100 may be a worthy match for the DX100 and the Altmann Tera Player! Come across a review of the AK100 compared with both DAPs but unfortunately it is entirely in Japanese. Specifically mentioned is that the AK100 has better transparency than DX100 but overall DX100 still has better sound.

AK100 review in Japanese

 

[Guan22]

Why this and the 1964-V6 have to release around same time?! Decisions, decisions

Thank god I am perfectly happy with my Miracle...

In any case, also saving for Harbeth speakers...

 

[Cryok95]

Thank god I am perfectly happy with my Miracle...

And me with mine. Thank goodness for that, or i could say bye bye to USD$650

 

[Guan22]

USD650 for a 6-driver customs is awfully cheap though.

Miracle is around USD925 while JH13 is USD1,099.
No idea how much Heir Audio's 6.A is going for though...

 

[TeamStereo]

Anyone plan on getting the iRiver? =)

 

[Randius]

Anyone plan on getting the iRiver? =)

No plan to get it now. Hopefully later the price will come down or surface in 2nd-hand market.

Will Stereo consider bringing it in?

 

[bobby29]

Alamak, iriver and histudio both just release their DAP. Spoilt for choice...

 

[Hitsugaya87]

Will be nice if Stereo has it!

By the way, this website mentions that it can only support dual microsd up to 96gb.
Iriver Japan outs the Astell & Kern AK100, a new High-End Hi-Fi DAP « Akihabara News

 

[LouisLoh]

Will be nice if Stereo has it!

By the way, this website mentions that it can only support dual microsd up to 96gb.
Iriver Japan outs the Astell & Kern AK100, a new High-End Hi-Fi DAP « Akihabara News

A tester apparently tried 64GB cards and they worked, which brings the total to 160GB.

Output impedance is 22 Ohms though, which is kind of disappointing for people who are looking to use it with low-resistance IEMs.

 

[TeamStereo]

Will check and see hahaha! =)

 

[FatalethaL]

Output impedance is 22 Ohms though, which is kind of disappointing for people who are looking to use it with low-resistance IEMs.

wat happens?

 

[racoiaw]

maybe will have hiss?

 

[FatalethaL]

maybe will have hiss?

HUUUUUH WAI RIKE THAT HUAN?!

 

[rickysio]

Frequency response will get screwed badly with balanced armature based designs, and dynamic drivers could face some roll off.