We had been thinking that Astell & Kern had closed up shop with new product announcements after mentioning a new DAC, but there’s another product on the block that also looks to improve the sound of your portable devices.
The PA10 is the first portable Class-A amp from Korean brand Astell & Kern, which is says is able to extract “all the subtle nuances in high resolution music” when played back through headphones and in-ear monitors (IEMs) to produce a warm, detailed but refined performance.
By integrating a Class-A amplifier into the PA10’s circuitry, its presence is said to reduce power consumption and increase output while removing noise, with 2-gain levels that Astell say “deliver crystal clear sounds”. The portable amplifier is also able to control current to suit different headphones and IEMs to create a more intense, spatial sound.
The PA10 is about the same size as a mobile phone (73 x 140 x 23.3mm (WHD)), but still makes space for wired connections with support for 4.4mm True Balance input/output, while its crossfeed function is done via hardware circuit design and not digital software. Astell & Kern say this offers a more seamless and sophisticated crossfeed effect without degrading the original sound.
And as this is an Astell & Kern product, the design is just as unique and as off-kilter as you might have expected. Made from aluminium, with an octagonal pillar-shaped body, there is more to the headphone amplifier’s design than just how it looks, with A&K stating a “great ergonomic fit in the hand” as well.
The PA10 is available to buy from Astell & Kern’s website and selected retailers for £549 / $550.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
