Astell & Kern PD10 Digital Audio Player & Docking Cradle

Venturing Beyond

The PD10 is Astell&Kern's first product to venture beyond the constraints of their existing lineup. It represents a bold new direction in product design and innovation. The PD10 embodies this evolution with a novel take on A&K's iconic volume wheel design. The DAP offers a more intuitive and distinctive path to optimal sound.

Complete HEXA Separation of Digital and Analog

Astell&Kern equipped the PD10 with the same innovative HEXA audio circuit design first developed for the flagship SP3000. The PD10 consists of four AKM AK4498EX DACs and two separate AK4191EQ chips that handle digital signals.

Most digital players process digital and analog signals together inside the DAC. However, Astell&Kern’s advanced HEXA structure reduces the noise of the digital signal input through the AK4191EQ, a separate digital delta-sigma modulator, and the AK4498EX DAC is then designed to process the analog signals separately.

By physically and perfectly separating digital and analog signal processing, the PD10 delivers an astonishing level of sound that has seldom been experienced before.

Independant Dual Audio Circuits

To create not just a great DAP, but a truly innovative DAP, Astell&Kern worked to overcome the limitations of sound by designing an independent dual audio circuit for unbalanced and balanced outputs. By creating two separate audio circuits, one for balanced output and a second for unbalanced output, Astell&Kern maximizes audio performance no matter what output is being used.

Impedance Adaptive Dual Amps

To cater to the diverse listening environments of users, the PD10 is equipped with two distinct amplifiers. Different sound tunings have been applied to each amp, taking into consideration the average impedance of connected earphones and headphones.

• The Normal Gain AMP reproduces delicate details and delivers high-purity sound, faithfully reproducing the original sound.
• The High Gain AMP excels in handling complex and dynamic sounds, rendering audio signals more vividly and with greater clarity for a more immersive listening experience.

Smart Gain

When headphones or earphones are connected, the PD10 instantly detects impedance and auto-adjusts the AMP. Its Smart Gain function ensures optimal amplifier matching, delivering a refined listening experience for all devices.

Docking Cradle

With its included cradle, the PD10 transitions from a portable player to a home audio source, offering USB charging, digital input, and XLR balanced outputs for seamless connection to speakers or a two-channel system. Volume can be adjusted via the PD10 or set to a fixed line-out level, while an LED display indicates track bit-rate through color.

Teraton Alpha, the Essence of A&K Audio

TERATON ALPHA technology ensures playback that faithfully reproduces the original sound through noise removal, power management, amplification, and seamless audio output interface.

ReplayGain

ReplayGain adjusts sound sources with different volumes to identical levels so you can enjoy your own playlists seamlessly.

Native DSD512

The PD10 supports native playback of high-res PCM music up to 32-bit, 768kHz and DSD512.

AirPlay Support

PD10 Supports AirPlay for iPhone users, allowing direct control while listening to music via AirPlay.

Sound Design with DAC Filters

Enjoy creating your own sound style by selecting up to 6 different DAC filters.

Power Delivery 3.0

Power Delivery 3.0 (PD 3.0) support allows you to charge your DAP faster and more efficiently than previous models, reaching a full charge in about 3.5 hours.

Wireless Hi-Fi Sound via BT Sink

Enjoy playback from an external device (ie. smartphone) in high-quality using the BT Sink function.

Contrast Cube Design

The PD10’s stainless steel and glass body exudes elegance, reflecting light for a sleek yet dynamic look. Designed for one-handed use, its intuitive button controls enhance user immersion.

Key Features

• World's First Application of AK4498EX in a DAP
• HEXA Audio Circuit Structure : Complete Separation of Digital and Analog Signal Processing
• Equipped with Impedance-Adaptive Dual Amplifiers
• Automatic Amplifier Matching Mode: Smart Gain
• Overwhelming Audio Performance Through Independent Dual Audio Circuits
• Includes a Docking Cradle for Home Audio Use

Technical Specifications

• General Specifications
  • Mode:l PS10
  • Body Color: Silver
  • Body Material: Stainless Steel
  • Display: 6-inch 1080 × 2160 Touch Screen
  • Supported Audio Formats: WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF
  • Sample Rate: PCM: 8kHz ~ 768kHz (8/16/24/32-bit), DSD64/128/256/512 Native
  • Output Level: Normal: Unbalanced 2.6Vrms
  • CPU: Octa-core
  • DAC: 2x AKM4191EQ + 4x AKM4498EX
  • Decoding: Up to 32-bit / 768kHz Bit-to-Bit Playback
  • Input: USB Type-C (for Charging & PC/Mac)
  • Outputs: 3.5mm Unbalanced, 3.5mm Optical, 4.4mm Balanced
  • Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz)
  • Bluetooth: V5.3 (aptX HD, LDAC, LHDC, AAC, SBC)
  • Dimensions: 75.4 x 149.5 x 17.3 mm
  • Weight: 435g
  • Feature Enhancements: OTA Firmware Updates
  • Operating Temperature: 0°C ~ 40°C
• Audio Specifications
  • Frequency Response:
    • ±0.066dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalanced
    • ±0.066dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) Balanced
    • ±0.62dB (Condition : 20Hz~70kHz) Unbalanced
    • ±0.61dB (Condition : 20Hz~70kHz) Balanced
  • S/N: 125dB (Unbalanced), 128dB (Balanced)
  • Crosstalk: -137dB (Unbalanced), -138dB (Balanced)
  • THD+N:
    • 0.0007% @ 1kHz, Unbalanced
    • 0.0006% @ 1kHz, Balanced
  • IMD SMPTE: 0.0004% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) Unbalanced │Balanced
  • Output Impedance:
    • Unbalanced Out 3.5mm (1ohm)
    • > Balanced Out 4.4mm(1.6ohm)
• Clock Source
  • Clock Jitter: 25pS (Typ.)
  • Reference Clock Jitter: 250 Femtoseconds
• Storage Capacity
  
  • Built-in Memory: 256GB (NAND)
    External Memory: microSD x1 (up to 2TB)
• Battery
  • Capacity: 5,770mAh 3.8V Li-Polymer
  • Charge Time: About 4 hours (PD3.0)
  • Playback Time: About 15 hours (FLAC, LCD Off, Normal Gain)
• Supported OS
  
  • Supported OS: Windows 8/10/11 (32/64-bit), macOS X 10.7+
• Astell&Kern AK Cradle (PES11)
  
  • Model: AK Cradle (PES11)
  • Body Color: Silver
  • Body Material: Aluminium
  • Input: USB Type-C (for PS10 Charging & Data)
  • Output: 3-pin XLR (Stereo Pair)
  • Dimensions: 126 x 97.1 x 166.4 mm
  • Weight: 565g