Astell&Kern
South Korea
www.astellnkern.comAbout Astell&Kern
Founded in October 2013 as a South Korean premium audio company wholly owned by Dreamus, Astell&Kern launched as a high-end successor to iriver products, inheriting nine years of DAP research and development know-how from iriver (established 1999). The brand name combines 'Astell' (Greek for 'star') and 'Kern' (German for 'core'), symbolizing the company's mission to reach the core of music through original sound reproduction. After six Samsung employees left to create iriver in 1999, the legacy continued when Astell&Kern debuted the AK100 media player at CES 2013. The breakthrough came with the AK120 in May 2013, featuring dual Wolfson WM8740 DAC chipsets for independent per-channel signal reproduction, achieving incredibly deep and clear sound with minimal distortion. This dual-DAC innovation, combined with 64GB internal memory and dual memory card ports (192GB total capacity), positioned the AK120 as the premier high-resolution digital audio player for audiophiles. The limited edition AK120 Titan followed in December 2013, cementing Astell&Kern's reputation for portable high-resolution audio excellence and establishing them as the leading manufacturer of premium DAPs worldwide.
Read more
Astell&Kern Launches PD10 Black High-Resolution Audio Player
Astell&Kern introduces new "PD10 Black" and "PD10 Silver" DAP models, priced at ¥363,000, with advanced DAC technology for superior audio processing.
The PD10 features the latest HEXA audio circuit, integrating AK4498EX and AK4191EQ DACs for enhanced digital and analog signal separation and processing.
It supports Full Android OS with ADP technology, enabling unrestricted high-resolution lossless playback and compatibility with streaming services like Qobuz Connect.
Astell&Kern and 64 Audio Unveil Premium IEM "XIO" with Advanced Engineering
The Astell&Kern XIO is a premium wired IEM with 10 drivers, released in collaboration with 64 Audio.
The housing is crafted from durable Stainless Steel 904L with a DLC coating, ensuring a premium finish.
It features a four-way crossover and proprietary technologies like LID and tia for precise sound reproduction.
Astell&Kern PD10 Digital Audio Player Now Available in Black with SP4000 Features
Astell&Kern introduces the PD10 Black, offering flagship SP4000 features at $2,410 US, debuting at CanJam SoCal, September 13–14, 2025.
Enhanced Android OS integration with Astell&Kern Direct Path technology ensures bit-perfect, lossless playback, aligning with modern streaming trends.
Advanced DAR technology provides refined audio through Virtual Sound Extender and precision upsampling, delivering immersive sound quality.
Astell&Kern Unveils the A&ultima SP4000 at High End Munich 2025
Introduces an Octa audio circuit architecture with a Quad DAC setup for exceptional audio clarity and detail.
Features a pure copper shield, HDI PCB technology, and low noise LDO regulator for minimal interference and pristine sound.
Runs full Android with Google Play access, supporting seamless integration with streaming services and bit-perfect playback.
Astell&Kern Introduces the PD10 Portable Audio Player
Introduces HEXA-audio architecture with new AK4498EX DAC chips ensuring high-quality sound separation.
Dual headphone amplifiers auto-adjust based on impedance for tailored audio performance.
Features robust connectivity options, including Bluetooth 5.3, DLNA, AirPlay, and Roon Ready certification.
Activo Volcano IEMs: A Budget-Friendly Audio Marvel
Activo's Volcano IEMs offer high-quality sound at a budget-friendly price (£99 / $80), a third of the Q1 models' cost.
Triple-driver setup includes 8mm + two 6mm dynamic drivers for balanced, immersive audio.
Durable build features hybrid silver-plated copper & oxygen-free copper cables compatible with multiple terminators.
Astell&Kern Unveils the PS10 Digital Audio Player at CanJam Singapore 2025
PS10 debuts as Astell&Kern's first network-streaming-focused DAP, priced at $2,500 with high-res codec support like 32-bit PCM, DSD, and LDAC.*
HEXA audio circuitry with 4 AK4498EX DACs and dual independent outputs ensures superior audio fidelity and minimal signal interference.*
Impedance-adaptive dual amplifiers and Smart Gain feature optimize performance for various headphones without manual adjustments.*
Astell&Kern and 64 Audio Launch the XIO In-Ear Monitors: Redefining High-End Audio
The Astell&Kern and 64 Audio collaboration introduces the XIO In-Ear Monitors, priced at $3,000, targeting audiophiles with premium sound quality.
Featuring a ten-driver hybrid setup with 4-way passive crossover, it delivers precise frequency alignment and superior sound reproduction.
Incorporates 64 Audio's patented technologies like apex® and LID® for enhanced comfort, noise isolation, and consistent sound quality across devices.
Join the HiFi.fan community to discuss experiences with Astell&Kern gear.