Astell&Kern PA10 Portable Class-A Headphone Amplifier

Astell&Kern's First Class-A Amplifier!

Astell&Kern has long been researching and developing AMP technology to deliver on the promise of pure audio. AK PA10 is the first AK model to introduce a Class-A AMP based on Astell&Kern’s know-how in AMP circuit design technology. AK PA10 offers the natural and spacious analog sound of a Class-A AMP, enhanced further with AK's proprietary TERATON ALPHA technology.

Enjoy the pure analog sound of Astell&Kern with any headphone, thanks to AK PA10's versatile Current / Gain / Crossfeed options for digital audio players and source devices.

Distortion-free Analog Sound of Class-A AMP

Class-A amplifiers offer the best linear output, providing soft, warm, and natural sounds by amplifying signals without distortions or defect. This characteristic makes Class-A the most sought-after amplification method by music lovers. Implementing Class-A topology in a portable audio device is very rare, as Class-A designs have high power consumption and introduce design challenges in small devices.

AK PA10 integrates a Class-A AMP based on Astell&Kern's unique circuit design technology, offering signature analog sound. Astell&Kern's unique circuit design reduces power consumption and increases output while removing noise. AK PA10 is specifically designed to deliver the amazing sound of an Class-A AMP anywhere and at any time.

Class-A Current Control - A New Innovation For Portable Amplifiers

On the AK PA10, Astell&Kern has introduced a unique three-stage control of Class-A AMP current. By changing the current value, the characteristics of Class-A AMPs can be more or less emphasised. Class-A Current Control also addresses the concern of battery drain due to power consumption, the major reason why Class-A AMPs are not used for portable devices, by allowing the user to limit current output.

Gain Control for Different Headphones

When connected to the balanced input, AK PA10 can support up to 6.2 Vrms output at high gain. Choose a gain level that offers the best sound for your favourite headphones and IEMs. AK PA10 brings out the full potential of your audio source!

4.4mm In/Out: True Balanced Circuit Design

Most portable headphone AMPs switch 3.5mm Unbalanced signals to 4.4mm Balanced signals or do not support a 4.4mm Balanced connection at all. Such input/output combinations limit users from enjoying the pure balanced output of the source device, resulting in signal loss during the transition process.

Unlike most portable Class-A AMPs, AK PA10 supports 4.4mm True Balanced input/output for high output and vivid audio. AK PA10 also supports 3.5mm unbalanced input/output ports so that you can use it with a wider variety of devices.

Up to 12 Hours of Playback Time

AK PA10 comes with a built-in 4,200 mAh battery for 12 hours of continuous playback time without needing to connect it to a power source. Enjoy the analog sound of Astell&Kern anywhere and at any time.

Crossfeed Effect Completed by Hardware Circuit Design

Unlike speakers, headphones isolate the left/right channels. This can cause increased fatigue to a users ears during extended listening periods, and it offers limited spatial sound in comparison to speakers.

Crossfeed mixes some of the signals from one channel and sends them to the opposite channel with a slight delay, creating a more natural sound.

AK PA10’s Crossfeed function is implemented exclusively by hardware circuit design, not by digital software, offering a more seamless and sophisticated crossfeed effect without degrading the original sound.

Turn on Crossfeed to experience the vivid, authentic and effortless sound this feature has to offer.

Perfect Circuit Design of High Output and Low Noise

Amplifying small signals to get greater output inevitably drives the noise level up.

However, AK PA10 introduces a high output design that can drive even hard to drive headphones, with stable current control, and a low noise circuit design that is the embodiment of the purist philosophy of Astell&Kern.

AK PA10 incorporates an analog volume control that seamlessly delivers the sounds of the Class-A AMP. It also has a separate power supply IC per audio block that is divided into crossfeed, volume, AMP, etc., so that it can comfortably supply the optimal power required for each audio IC. This design eliminates the interfering ripple noise (rippling noise that occurs when power is turned on) of DC-DC power, thereby minimizing audio noises that may be amplified along with the audio.

In addition to this, our proprietary shield can technology is applied so that noises and electromagnetic waves do not affect the audio block. AK PA10's amplifier design also physically separates unbalanced and balanced circuits to ensure high-output and low-noise audio.