Activo

Launched as a sub-brand of Astell & Kern and managed by Dreamus (formerly ReignCom/iRiver, founded 1999), Activo was developed to bring high-resolution audio experiences to a younger, more 'active' audience at accessible price points. Originally created in collaboration with Groovers Japan for their hi-res download and streaming service, Activo emerged from the same philosophy as Groovers Japan to let more people enjoy high-resolution music, targeting younger generations with a focus on integrating audiophile sound quality into everyday lifestyle products. Based in South Korea under the Dreamus umbrella (acquired by SK Telecom in 2014), Activo operates with the mission to 'accurately deliver high-quality music playback, just as the artists recorded in the studio' while maintaining Astell & Kern's premium audio DNA at more affordable prices. The brand's product lineup includes the flagship CT10 ($299), their first hi-res portable audio player with MQA support featuring Astell&Kern's Teraton TM200 module with Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC chip, and the newer P1 ($429) featuring dual ESS ES9219Q SABRE DACs with Tetraton Alpha Amp technology. Both devices showcase Activo's commitment to premium sound quality with lifestyle-focused design, targeting consumers who want Astell & Kern's renowned audio engineering without four-figure price points, while maintaining compatibility with high-resolution formats up to 24-bit/192kHz PCM, quad-rate DSD, and MQA decoding capabilities.