Astell&Kern ACRO CA1000T Transportable Headphone Amplifier

Astell&Kern ACRO CA1000T Transportable Headphone Amplifier

 

The Astell&Kern ACRO CA1000T Transportable Headphone Amplifier is the perfect choice for audiophiles looking for the highest quality sound in a compact and portable form factor. This device is equipped with a powerful ES9039MPRO Dual-DAC and headphone amplifier, 4 levels of gain, a dual-tube applied Triple Amp System, and a host of connectivity options to easily connect it to external audio devices. Additionally, it has a built-in battery for portability, USB-PD 2.0 charging, and an LED light for checking bit depth information. With features like MQA Technology and AK File Drop, this device is the perfect choice for listening to your favourite songs with studio-quality sound. The ACRO CA1000T provides audiophiles with a powerful and portable option for their audio needs, and it's sure to please even the most discerning listeners.

 

What Astell&Kern Say

The Astell&Kern ACRO CA1000T is an all-in-one head-fi audio system that delivers high-fidelity sound in a compact and portable design and can be setup anywhere you want. The CA1000T builds on the success of the CA1000 device and is equipped with a high-performance ES9039MPRO Dual-DAC and powerful headphone amplifier, making it a versatile option for the home or office. The CA1000T also features 4 levels of gain, dual-tube applied Triple Amp System, and a host of connectivity options, including USB, coaxial, Bluetooth, and optical inputs, making it easy to connect to a variety of external audio devices and speakers.

To run the most detailed IEMs and most demanding headphones perfectly, an output that matches the characteristic of the receiving device is required. The ACRO CA1000T supports 4 gain level settings so that almost any headphones can be driven to an optimal state. The 4-levels of gain setting can create the ideal output for a device’s characteristics and sound, allowing users to fine tune and dial in their desired volume output. And with up to 15 Vrms output, it can run high-impedance headphones with ease.

The output ports' electrical capacity has been raised to add stability when operating devices with different impedances at the gain level setting, and the separate balanced and unbalanced volume controllers optimize electricity flow and reduce noise for the best sound.

 

Features

• Equipped with a ES9039MPRO Dual-DAC for the first time ever
• Perfectly drive any headphone/IEM with 4 levels of gain and up to 15Vrms output
• Triple Amp System with a dual-vacuum tube for Hybrid sound options
• Multiple inputs and outputs provide maximum options and compatibility
• Built-in battery for portability and optimum power delivery
• Custom design to minimise microphonic noise - flexible silicon covers fixed on both sides of the vacuum tube and a magnetic force is used to physically seperate the tube from the PCB, which offers greater isolation when the tube is operational
• Crossfeed - mixes parts of the original signal from one channel and sends that signal to the opposite channel with a time difference to center the sound image to prevent ear fatigue
  • Shelf Cutoff
  • Shelf Gain
  • Mixer Level
• USB-PD 2.0 charging with 9V/3A
• 11 hours of continuous playback when fully charged
• Battery protection mode to help extend battery life - When battery protection mode is enabled, the battery is charged up to 85%, and then the charge stops. If the battery drops below 80%, the battery will start charging again and charge up to 85%
• LED light for checking bit depth information of currently playing music or the amp mode being used
• aptX HD LDAC
• MQA Technology
• AK File Drop - Freely transfer files wirelessly through a PC, smartphone, or FTP program located on the same network
• ReplayGain - adjusts sound sources with different volumes to an identical level
• BT Sink Function
• Roon Ready

 

Overwhelming Output 15 Vrms

ES9039MPRO Dual-DAC

Dual Vacuum Tube

Powerful Connections

Crossfeed

Dual-Band Wi-Fi

aptX™ HD LDAC

Roon Ready

 

Extensive Input/Output Options

The ACRO CA1000T offers an extensive range of input/output options that can meet the needs of audiophiles looking to build their ideal Head-Fi system with maximum utility. For greater ease of use, you can change the input/output settings using the touch screen on top of the product while multiple cables and devices are connected.

3.5mm, 6.35mm Unbalanced, 2.5mm 4.4mm Balanced Output	The output port located on the front side of the product is compatible with a range of sizes so that various headphones and IEMs can be connected, including both low-impedance and high-impedance varieties. The 3.5mm port may also be used as an optical output. Enjoy the powerful output and dual-tube sound with any device of your choice.
Mini XLR, RCA Output	Balanced Mini XLR and Unbalanced RCA output with circuits that minimise noise and distortion offers the best sound to the amp and external audio devices through lineout, so that it can effortlessly support active speakers as well as a desktop Head-Fi sound environment.
4.4mm, Coaxial, Optical Input	ACRO CA1000T can receive signals from various external devices via its coaxial and optical digital inputs as well as a 4.4mm analog input, so that users can build their perfect audio system. Receive digital and analog signals from an external DAC, interface, and external source devices and use them with the convenient integrated CA1000T system.
USB Input, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi	ACRO CA1000T supports Type-C USB DAC functionality. Enjoy perfect sound from both Mac and Windows PCs, as the CA1000T can play ultra-high quality sound sources. In addition to this, it supports network play such as AK Connect and Roon Ready, as well as various streaming apps through high-quality Bluetooth and Dual-Band Wi-Fi, completing a perfect all-in-one Head-Fi audio system for audiophiles. * Roon Ready function will be released through a firmware update.

 

Mini XLR Cable PIN Map

[ Pin1 ] Ground [ Pin2 ] Hot, + [ Pin3 ] Cold, -

 

Teraton Alpha Technology

TERATON ALPHA, engineered through endless research, is Astell&Kern's unique technology that has been designed to produce audio playback that is as close to the original sound through effective power noise removal, efficient power management and unwavering amplification, and a fully converted audio output interface. TERATON ALPHA features Astell&Kern's patented technologies, which are the result of tens of thousands of hours of continuous research and development to produce sound close to the original sound the artist and producer intended.

It would have been impossible to realise the powerful output from the most detailed headphones and the complicated signal path of a dual tube and triple amp system with minimal noise without TERATON ALPHA, AK's Ultimate Sound Solution. Astell&Kern further improved TERATON ALPHA using knowledge learned from the design of the Hybrid Tube System found in our SP2000T and the noise removal from the CA1000.

 

 

The World's First Use of the Newest ESS Flagship DAC

The ACRO CA1000T is designed with dual ES9039MPRO, using the newest flagship DAC from ESS for the first time ever. The ES9039MPRO is an additional ES9039PRO model that has a built-in stereo hardware MQA renderer. It has even more advanced modulation than the existing flagship DAC to reduce power consumption, noise and distortions inside the DAC for enhanced audio performance. Astell&Kern have invented and optimised a new design of amp block to heighten the performance of the ES9039MPRO, allowing it to offer more balanced and intense sounds with deeper and richer bass sounds and clear highs.

 

Sound Design by DAC Filter

With the ACRO CA1000T, you can pick and choose from seven DAC filters to create your own sound style. Design your own sound with the seven DAC filters.

 

Filter	Description	Impulse Response
Minimum phase (Default)	Low latency, Minimal pre ringing and low passband ripple
Linear Phase Apodizing	Full Image rejection by FS/2 to avoid any aliasing, with smooth roll-off starting before 20k
Linear Phase Fast Roll-Off	Most Common filter with clean suppression and high rejection, best for music with high transients. Provides crisp clean highs
Linear Phase Slow Roll-Off	Low group delay and symmetrical inputs response. Less ringing then Linear phase fast roll off. Punchier bass than LPFR, with clean highs
Minimum Phase Fast Roll-Off	Minimal Pre Ringing, preferred for Imaging and soundstage. No aliasing in frequency domain. Stronger bass than Linear Phase, clean highs
Minimum Phase Slow Roll-Off	Non Symetrical filter designed to minimize pre ringing. Strong punchy bass with good transient attacks
Minimum Phase Slow Roll-Off Low Dispersion	Provides a nice balance of the low latency of Minimum phase filters and the Low Dispersion of Linear Phase filters. Minimal pre-ringing is added to achieve the low dispersion in the audio band

 

Full Balanced Circuit with Dual-Tube

The ACRO CA1000T has dual Twin Triode KORG Nutube tubes. When a product is equipped with a Dual DAC, and one vacuum tube there must be a separate circuit to convert the signal to Balanced right before the output terminal. This structure requires a process to convert an unbalanced signal to a balanced signal, during which, noise gets amplified in the process. The CA1000T, however, offers a complete balanced circuit that separates left and right channels with two vacuum tubes, creating even more natural and softer sounds. Both Tube AMP mode and OPAMP provide a powerful 15 Vrms output, and the headphone ports allow you to enjoy the unique sounds of vacuum tubes without any limitations.

 

Triple AMP System

The ACRO CA1000T exceeds the standard approach to AMP Mode selection, based on the type of music you are listening to. Select between TUBE AMP mode, OP AMP mode, or the brand-new HYBRID AMP mode.

• OP AMP mode puts Astell&Kern's AMP technology expertise to use, delivering extreme clarity and dynamic sound,
• TUBE AMP mode provides a uniquely warm and musical sound.
• HYBRID AMP mode - a first for digital audio players - enhances the resolution and clarity of the existing TUBE AMP mode to express more musical detail. HYBRID AMP mode, combines the advantages of retro analog performance and high-resolution output, giving you the pleasure of a brand new tonal characteristic.

 

Design

The ACRO CA1000T inherits its form and style from the previous model, the CA1000, with a darker color to tone down the increased complexity of the parts such as the amp button and the upper lighting glass, giving it a more impactful design aesthetic compared to the CA1000.

The upper lighting glass shows an image of the amp gleaming through the vacuum glass when the vacuum amp is in operation in an etched pattern, while simultaneously allowing users to easily understand the amp mode’s current status. The volume wheel design, which is the key AK interface and has a gently widening diameter, expressing a powerful burst of output that has been compressed through the vacuum amp. The golden-colored accent ring was changed from aluminum to stainless steel to add a hint of luxury to the design, while also allowing it to have a more intense reflection that juxtaposes it against the dark color of the rich gray body.

The ACRO CA1000T has a tilted display that can be adjusted with just a gentle touch, but is still heavy enough to stand firmly on a desk or a table. You may adjust it by up to 60 degrees to suit your environment and preferred viewing angle.

 

Specification

• Built-in Memory: 256GB [NAND]
• External Memory: microSD x1 (Max. 1TB)

 

About Astell&Kern

Astell&Kern is the ultimate digital music source that brings you Mastering Quality Sound or MQS. Astell means ‘Stars’ in Latin and Kern means ‘Center’ in German. We believe Astell&Kern is the center of music.

Today, original music performances can be captured in digital almost exactly as they were performed due to new, advanced recording technology currently available. However, these high quality recordings are mainly listened to through inferior sound formats, such as MP3 or through streaming services. With the debut of the MP3 format, music lovers sacrificed sound quality for the convenience of being able to carry their music collection wherever they went. Because the MP3 format heavily compresses files for the sake of convenience, the vocals and instruments you hear are only an inferior version of the original. The soundstage and the ambience of the original performance often disappears when listening to compressed MP3 music. After pondering these issues, Astell&Kern was our solution to poor sound quality for the sake of portability, and our way in reviving the original sound quality of music, MQS, for music artists, recording engineers, and professionals.

Astell&Kern's pursuit is to provide natural and original sound without distortion. It showcases the presence of the original recording with miniscule details you may not have noticed from other music systems, while playing back high-resolution music bit by bit, exactly as it was recorded. The ability to play back the exact recording of any live performance is what Astell&Kern is known for.

The power of true sound from Astell&Kern can now be experienced and has been part of many famous audio exhibitions around the world. Astell&Kern is now admired by music lovers from many countries, including the USA, China, Japan, UK, France, and many more around the world.