Headphone Amplifiers and DACs
Astell&Kern Acro CA1000

Product code: 124118
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Description

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Description

Astell&Kern Acro CA1000 is a headphone amplifier that combines the functions and portability of a high-performance amplifier with the fundamental sound philosophy of Astell & Kern. Astell&Kern Acro CA1000 sets a new standard for headphone amplifiers, providing powerful and clean sound with features not available in any other headphone amplifiers.

4 levels of gain

Astell&Kern Acro CA1000 supports 4 levels of gain, so that virtually any existing headphones can reveal their potential. The gain adjustment scheme implemented in CA1000 allows for control even over headphones with high impedance without compromising sound quality at a maximum output power of 15V.

Wide range of connectivity options

The headphone amplifier features balanced 2.5mm and 4.4mm, as well as unbalanced 3.5mm and 6.35mm outputs on the front panel, providing compatibility with a wide range of headphone types and impedances. For connecting external devices, there are inputs: optical, coaxial, USB-C, and RCA. All input/output settings can be easily and conveniently selected using the touch screen.

Built-in digital player with 256GB capacity

The integrated, non-removable digital player is equipped with a 4.1-inch touchscreen that can tilt up to 60 degrees, allowing users to easily control playback and settings using the Android OS or lie flat in the aluminum casing. The built-in memory is 256GB (expandable up to 1TB with a microSD card) for storing an extensive library of high-resolution files.

Dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

The Astell&Kern ACRO CA1000 can also receive music via Bluetooth from a connected phone (through BT Sink function) and transmit playback to a pair of wireless headphones thanks to Bluetooth 5.0 support and aptX-HD, LDAC codecs.

TERATON ALPHA Technology

The Astell&Kern Acro CA1000 utilizes the TERATON ALPHA technology previously introduced in the A&futura SE180 player, ensuring optimal sound reproduction through efficient power management and the elimination of amplification distortions and power noises.

Flagship DAC ES9068AS

The flagship digital-to-analog converter Quad ES9068AS supports DSD512 and 32bit/384kHz playback. The device employs 4 chips to guarantee a sound free from noise.

Complete Absence of Noise and Interference

Improper blocking of the signal from each output cascade of the powerful headphone amplifier can lead to the occurrence of noise interference. The Astell&Kern Acro CA1000 boasts a noise-free output with an independent circuitry structure thanks to the use of relays to completely block unused sockets.

Autonomous operation from the built-in battery

A portable amplifier can operate without an external power source, adding convenience compared to existing products. The Astell&Kern Acro CA1000 is equipped with a high-capacity 8400mAh battery, providing premium-class clean sound without distortions and without the need for a separate power connection. With its compact size and high output power, every detail related to power supply has been studied, and the power scheme has been revised several times. As a result, continuous playback for over 10 hours is achieved.

Crossfeed function

In headphones, the left and right channels are clearly separated, which can lead to fatigue during extended listening. When you activate the crossfeed function, you experience clear but comfortable sound. Crossfeed mixes parts of the original signal from one channel and sends this signal to the opposite channel with a time difference to center the sound image.

With detailed settings such as Shelf Cutoff, Shelf Gain, and signal mixing level, you can adjust the level of crossfeed according to your preferences during listening.

Special silver coating

Astell&Kern products use shielded blocks to prevent noise and electromagnetic interference generated by countless components from affecting the audio block.

Astell&Kern Acro CA1000 takes it a step further by applying a highly conductive, ultra-pure silver coating to the existing shielded blocks for perfect shielding, ensuring superior sound quality.

Design

The aluminum chassis and volume control wheel, precision manufactured using CNC machining, represent Astell & Kern's integrated technology and have a durable and elegant finish. As a portable amplifier, the curved surface and pattern on the side prevent the device from slipping when held in one hand.

Features:

  • perfect control of any headphones/IEM with 4 levels of amplification and output up to 15 Vrms
  • multiple inputs and outputs for maximum versatility and compatibility with all your audio equipment
  • equipped with four ESS ES9068AS DACs for detailed and balanced sound
  • support for playback of 32-bit/384kHz PCM and Native DSD512
  • supported audio formats include WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF, MQA
  • built-in battery: the portable amplifier can operate without an external power source
  • up to 10 hours of battery life
  • TERATON ALPHA technology: the embodiment of Astell&Kern audio technology
  • Crossfeed function for a more natural sound in headphones
  • support for the latest Bluetooth 5.0 and wireless 24-bit codecs like aptX-HD, LDAC
  • dual-band Wi-Fi support for faster wireless connections
  • ReplayGain function automatically adjusts the volume level when listening to different music tracks
  • silver coating on important parts of the housing to minimize noise and interference
  • view the screen at any angle with the adjustable display up to 60 degrees
  • outputs include 2.5mm, 4.4mm, 3.5mm, and 6.3mm
  • 4-core processor
  • fast charging function
  • 256GB of built-in memory

Package Contents:

  • amplifier
  • USB cable
  • documentation
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Characteristics

Characteristics

Headphone output
2.5mm jack, 3.5mm jack, 4.4mm jack, 6.35mm jack
Output connectors
RCA
Power output

This is the useful power developed by the amplifier in the load resistance. Amplifiers are usually characterized by the highest power that can be obtained at the output, provided that the distortion does not exceed the specified permissible value. This power is called the output power of the amplifier.

Glossary of terms
15
DAC chip

The chip used for digital-to-analog conversion

Glossary of terms
ES9068AS
DAC bit depth, bits
32
Internal DAC
yes
Sampling rate, kHz

The sampling frequency of a time-continuous signal during its sampling

Glossary of terms
384
Signal-to-noise ratio, dB

The higher signal-to-noise ratio, the clearer sound and the bigger the dynamic range provided by the system

Glossary of terms
115
Powered by USB
yes
Connecting to a computer via USB
yes
DSD support

Direct Stream Digital is a single bit audio format developed by Sony and Philips. It uses density-pulse modulation coding (a kind of sigma-delta modulation) and is used to store records on SACD

Glossary of terms
yes
Built-in battery
yes
The lowest frequency, Hz
20
The highest frequency, kHz

The upper limit of the frequencies reproduced by the device. The human ear hears the standard frequency range: 20 Hz – 20000 Hz.

Glossary of terms
70
Bluetooth version

Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology that allows you to connect headphones or portable speakers, a stereo system or a soundbar to your smartphone or laptop. For a certain version to work, both devices must support it. The versions differ in data transfer speed, power consumption, securing data transfer, anti-interference ability and range of connection.

Glossary of terms
5.0
Circuit design
discrete

The circuit with transistors used.

Словарь терминов
Color
Form factor
portable
Input connectors
Optical, Coaxial, USB-C, RCA
Material
aluminum
Playback via USB
yes

Playing music files via USB

Preamplifier

A preamp is used as a hub to connect other components of the audio system. The preamp can be either integrated, or an autonomous device.

yes
Wi-Fi

Support Wi-Fi technology

yes
Depth, mm
148
Height, mm
45
Width, mm
104
Weight, g
919
Service life, months
24
Warranty, months
12
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