The new Astell & Kern Hi-Res music player also serves as a hi-fi streaming upgrade, thanks to its included dock.
The new direction of Astell & Kern promises a high-fidelity audio experience that delivers satisfaction.
Astell & Kern has introduced a new direction in the design of its audio players, solidifying its position as one of the best in the high-resolution audio world. The PS10, their new digital audio player, will be officially unveiled at CanJam Singapore on April 5 and 6, 2025. This device stands out not only for its innovative design but also for its desktop base that facilitates streaming updates in home audio systems.
The PS10 incorporates the new AKM AK4498EX chips, marking a milestone in the industry, and its docking base features balanced XLR outputs as well as USB and USB-DAC for digital audio. The device supports native high-resolution PCM audio playback of up to 32 bits and 768 kHz, as well as DSD512. A significant change is the removal of the iconic volume control that characterizes other models from the brand, opting instead for a button-based approach.
In terms of technical specifications, the PS10 has four AKM AK4498EX DACs and two AK4191EQ chips for digital signal management. It utilizes the same HEXA audio circuitry developed for the SP3000 model, ensuring effective separation between analog and digital signals, promising "amazing" sound. Additionally, it incorporates distinct audio circuits for balanced and unbalanced outputs, as well as two amplifiers with different settings: the normal gain amplifier, which focuses on reproducing subtle details and providing high-purity sound, and the high gain amplifier, which efficiently handles complex and dynamic sounds.
An innovative feature of the PS10 is its Smart Gain functionality, which automatically detects the impedance of connected headphones and adjusts the amplifier accordingly. Thus, headphones or earbuds with an impedance of 32 ohms or less utilize normal gain, with a maximum output of 5.5Vrms on the balanced output, while those with more than 32 ohms receive high gain of up to 8.3Vrms.
The PS10 comes with 256 GB of internal storage and supports microSD cards of up to 2 TB. It offers dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity (2.4/5GHz), DLNA network capability, digital audio USB output, a USB-C port for data transfer and charging, as well as the option to use it as an external DAC via Bluetooth or direct USB connection.
The Astell & Kern PS10 is scheduled for availability in May 2025, with an estimated price of $2,500. While the price in the UK is expected to be around £2,500, the international cost has yet to be announced.