Astell & Kern AK380 Copper review - Rudi0504

AK380 Copper review

By Rudi0504.

 I have a long history of owning Astell & Kern products.
Such as:

Ak 100 mk 1 Final Audio Design Edition.

Ak 100 mk 1 Gold Japan Edition.
Ak 100 mk 2 Blue LE japan edition.
Ak 100 II.
Ak 240 ss.
Ak 380 copper.

I base my findings and conclusions on the above and also comparisons to other TOTL 

DAPs I mention later in the review.


Build.

The build of the AK380 copper edition is as any Astell & Kern device, a well tooled and finished piece of perfect design.

The weight is more than previous AK devices due to the material employed (about 350g).

It feels solid when resting in ones palm.

The body is machined from a full solid block of copper over four hours.

See here:  http://www.iriver.jp/products/product_119.php#1

Quite an engineering marvel!

Sound.

The sound of the AK380 echoes much of what has gone before within the AK line of Daps. This although still being part of the AK380 series it does have its own particular signature sound revealed by sessions of critical listening.

My earlier initial impressions:

Source:
AK 380 Copper

IEM:
Fit Ear MH 334 custom

Out the Box Sound Quality compared with the standard AK 380 :

High:
On Par with the standard AK 380 with better rendering and more natural sounding highs and smoother.

Mids:
They are cleaner and has better pronounce, sweeter and more natural vocals.

Bass:
Very clean, deep and more accurate sounding bass.
The bass quality is the best from all the AK DAPs I ever heard up to now.

Separation :
Is better in that the individual music instruments placement is more accurate.

Soundstage :
More 3D, like as in a big concert hall.

Background :
The best black background I have ever heard on a Portable DAP.

So far I am surprised what the AK 380 Copper can produce, its their best sound quality in a DAP to date.

Further more recent thoughts and impressions.

I have listened to the AK380 Copper that I own and have also shared it at several meets to gather other peoples opinions to check and verify my own impressions.

Highs:

Better detail and clearer rendering than the previous Daps in the AK380 series.

Mids:

They are sweeter when compared to the original AK380 and vocals are cleaner.

Bass:

The lower end has more impact, it comes across as tight, detailed and with a fast response.

Separation:

The separation of the music, vocals etc is excellent. As is to be expected.

The Soundstage:

It could be akin to a large concert hall. Expansive.

Features.

32/384 kHz playback.

DSD 256 native.

(AKM) AK4490 DAC.

Graphic EQ.

Compatible with the AK accessories such as the extension cradle, amplifier, CD ripper (all not included).

WAV, FLAC, MP3, WMA, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF all supported.

Included items: microUSB cable, leather case, screen protective sheet x2, back protective sheet × 2, microSD card slot cover x2, quick start guide, warranty card (body one year / accessories 90 days), Attention statement.

For full spec details see here:

http://www.iriver.jp/products/product_119.php#2

Value.

I think it performs well within the hierarchy of TOTL Daps.

I compared the AK380 Copper to my Top Of The Line Daps as follows:

The music genres used:

Jazz
Classical
Audiophile songs
Mandarin Audiophile songs.

Below is my order of preference when it comes to TOTL Daps:

1st Place:
AK 380 Copper.

2nd Place:
AK 380 Duralium.

3rd Place:
AK 240 ss

4th Place:
Lotoo Paw Gold.

5th Place:
AK 240 Duralium.

IEMs used:
Fit Ear MH 335 DW Studio Reference.

review by Rudi0504.

*Proof reading, editing: expatinjapan.