Astell&Kern AK300 Portable High-Resolution Audio Player - 64GB, Black

To start things off, these types of players are very expensive compared to simple $100 MP3 players and the like. There really has to be point of diminishing returns, and I think this player is it.If you are OK with mediocre ergonomics and very good sound quality (7/10), buy something like a HiFiMan Super-Mini player. If you want very good ergonomics and even better sound quality (8/10) buy the A&K AK70. Having said that, what does another $300 get you in the A&K line? Well, you get a bigger screen, a supplied case that actually fits the player, better battery performance, and excellent sound quality (9/10). The difference between the AK70 and the AK300 can be easily heard I think. It is like the AK300 lifts a light veil off of the soundstage, detail, and overall response from Treble to Bass.What the last month has taught me is that there IS a difference between cheap basic players and players like these. Whether a prospective buyer thinks $400 or $600 or $900 is worth the sound you get, I can't say.However when I hear many songs that I've listened to for 40+ years on the AK300 that are a complete revelation, where I hear details that I've never noticed before, well it does not get better than that. Whether it is listening to the opening of Styx's "Come Sail Away" where I can clearly hear Dennis deYoung's right-hand melody that is just a tad louder than the left hand, or the second verse of "Hell's Bells" where you can clearly hear Brian Johnson softly chuckle to himself as he sings "then I'm sticking to the right", or finally during the instrumental end of "Hotel California" where there is a very soft rhythm guitar playing along side the dual solos, this player rocks. By the way. it's not like you can't actually hear some of these details on less expensive players, it's just that I never NOTICED them before. I can't wait to hear the other 1,500+ songs that I have yet to play on the AK300.

I'm not sure if this is a review of the product, the manufacturer, or the seller (who may have bought failed QA items). I was very excited to receive this product. I ordered it two days ago and received it today. I charged it for four hours. The unit became so hot I could have fried and egg on it. The battery did not charge and unit would not start. Sadly, I'm returning it the day that I received.

It’s an amazing device with one critical exception: Tidal content is not available offline. Tidal HiRes streaming is only available when tethered to WiFi. This is not the case with Tidal on other streaming devices. I would not have purchased if this critical fact was highlighted in the description. So disappointed that I have to return it, but I don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on purchasing HiRes music. I purchased the AK300 primarily to be a “portable” device with Tidal.

Great and fluid sound with weak battery life time and clumpsy Android UI.

Yes, it's expensive. But, the sound quality will make you forget that.Some perspective to understand my review: I come from FiiO X1 and X3 2nd Gen (DAPs), Audioquest DragronFly v1.2 and Red (DACs), Cypher Labs Picollo and FiiO A5 (Amps), the Chord Mojo (DAC and Amp), Audeze's LCD 2s and Sine (Headphones).Now, in terms of pure sound quality, the AK300 blows away all my possible previous combinations. The one thing that is unique is that instruments just sound real. It's not really about hearing new things I had never heard before (although, that's also there), it's about instruments sounding real.I particularly don't like the very sharp edge of the AK, but they also make it look unique. The OS is rather slow to my tastes, however. Album thumbnails take a second to refresh, it's a bit annoying if you're used to current smartphones (which by the way cost less).But, yeah! Once the music starts playing you really stop thinking about the UI, the cost, etc. It has a great, not harsh, beautiful, non-fatiguing sound.Very much recommended.

I've owned several DAPS and this is the best. Build quality is noticeably above that of its forbears and less expensive units. Music Interface is easier to access on a large touch screen. Sound quality is much improved throughout the full range. Music storage capacity, both internal and external, combined, are approaching overkill. Quality has its price and this is worth what was asked.

Do not buy, this model is now obsolete and no longer able to login to Tidal for high res MQA streaming due to Tidal’s new unsupported login authentication procedure! I wasted $$$ on this unit, it is now a bricked paperweight.

I own this model, I bought it from Amazon, and I've been using it for more than a year. I've read that the much more expensive models do not sound much better, which is why I stated that this will save you money. Just buy this and you're good to go.Here's what you need to know:-Do not use a micro SD card larger than 128 GB. The manual states that 128 GB is the limit, and I can verify that this device does not like the bigger SD cards. They will not break your device, but bear in mind that songs will sometimes not play if you decide to ignore the instruction manual. The recommended brand is SanDisk.-The sound quality is insane. This thing is all you need. Get rid of all that big equipment.-The battery life is not good. This thing is voracious.-Do not transfer files to the micro SD card through the adapter. Instead, put the micro SD card in the AK300, and transfer directly via USB, while the card is in the device. In other words, put the card in and don't take it out. I've found that this is the best method. I don't know why - this device just prefers that you transfer files while the micro SD card in inserted and do not use the adapter.-It is a beautiful piece of technology.

Very satisfied. Trutone ship fast. The AK300 Play my NAS super easy. Great sound strong build. I love it.

I received this machine this morning and have been listening all dayThe initial loading of the internal 64Gb with 50Gb of music took almost two hoursStill the wait was worth it and it allowed me to fill a 128Gb cardWhen all was done it took the player seconds to complie all the tracksAlso it took seconds to log onto my wifi and about 5 minutes to update itselfListening to my music is fantasticMy hi Rez files have never sounded so goodI could now spend 20 min droning on about it but noAll I can say is that it really is worth the extra the sound is sublimeAmazon pulled a blinder as wellI had ordered the AK70 but I changed my mind last night at 23:00 to buy the AK300I received it at 10:00am well done Amazon

Possibly one of the worst purchases I have made. Very poor user interface, inadequate instructions, poorly constructed website. The unit may have great sound but I never got that far. User friendliness and ability to enjoy what it was built for were clearly at the bottom of this company's list of priorities. I'd avoid this like the plague. Design wise not great either, quite clunky construction and although the sound is probably superior Apple has nothing to fear with this.

Bought myself as an early Xmas gift. After a months use I have to say this is a beautiful bit of kit. Using Westone umpro50 with a balanced cable.Sound is super smooth and easy on the ears. Battery life seems pretty decent.If you can afford it I highly recommend.

Bigger and better sounding than the AK70 - glad I decided to upgrade. A bit on the heavy side though - maybe not that suitable for use on the move. Sounds terrific with Beyerdynamic T51p Portable Headphones. Also has really good UI - same as AK70.