Astell&Kern A&Ultima PD5 DAP

Astell&Kern A&Ultima PD5 DAP

The Astell&Kern PD5 is about getting full-size digital audio player (DAP) performance into a player you can comfortably use with one hand. It weighs about 198g and has a curved 4.1-inch display. Astell&Kern describe its design concept as "Grip Control", and it is built to go everywhere with you without giving up the sound the brand is known for.

Inside are eight Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs, and the PD5 lets you choose how to use them. Dual Drive Mode switches between two configurations. Quad-DAC mode gives Astell&Kern's natural, smooth signature sound with up to 6Vrms balanced output and up to 28 hours of playback from the 4,000mAh battery. Octa-DAC mode runs all eight DACs for greater detail, wider dynamic range and better channel separation, raising output to 8Vrms balanced, enough to drive demanding headphones, with around 15 hours of playback. The measurements are excellent in both modes: 129dB signal-to-noise and -147dB crosstalk balanced, with THD+N of 0.0006%.

EnviroTune makes it particularly useful on the move. The built-in microphone measures ambient noise in real time, band by band, and restores the frequencies that background noise would otherwise mask, so detail isn't lost on a train or in the street and you don't need to turn the volume up. Astell&Kern's ESA (Enhanced Signal Alignment) reduces group delay so that all frequencies arrive together. TERATON ALPHA handles power noise removal and amplification. Digital Audio Remaster can upsample PCM to 352.8kHz or 384kHz, or convert it to DSD128. You can also choose from four DAC filters, adjust Crossfeed to get a more speaker-like presentation on headphones, and use ReplayGain to keep playlist volume consistent.

It plays PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD256. Storage is 64GB built in, plus a microSD slot that takes cards up to 1.5TB. Dual-band Wi-Fi supports streaming, with Roon Ready certification and Qobuz Connect built in. Bluetooth 5.3 supports aptX HD, LDAC and LHDC, and BT Sink lets you stream to the PD5 from your phone. It has 3.5mm unbalanced and 4.4mm balanced outputs, and charges over USB-C in about 2.5 hours with PD 3.0. The USB-C port also connects it to a PC or Mac. Firmware updates arrive over the air.

What Astell&Kern say about the PD5

Compact in Form, Infinite in Sound

Engineered for effortless portability, it delivers music with total freedom and comfort, without ever compromising on performance or sound quality.

Designed to fit comfortably in one hand, the PD5 combines a compact form factor with all-day battery life. Going far beyond the physical limits of its size, it delivers Astell&Kern's signature deep, detailed, and rich sound.

Achieving the perfect harmony between portability and high performance, the PD5 brings the ultimate audio experience into your everyday life.

• Octa-DAC (Switchable Quad / Octa DAC)
• Up to 28 Hours of Continuous Playback
• EnviroTune: Analyzes ambient noise to automatically deliver optimal sound
• Compact Design that fits perfectly in one hand

Octa-DAC, Uncompromised Sound

Engineered with an Octa-DAC architecture, it delivers extraordinary audio fidelity, without sacrificing power or precision.

Powered by eight CS43198 DACs, the PD5 achieves an expansive dynamic range with exceptional channel separation. Going far beyond conventional signal processing, it unveils the purest sound, capturing even the most subtle musical nuances.

Unlocking up to 8Vrms of output to effortlessly drive any headphone, the PD5 brings Astell&Kern's true signature sound into complete perfection.

Dual Drive Mode: Tailored to Every Listening Environment

Dual Drive Mode allows users to select the optimal DAC configuration for any listening environment or preference. Discover the ideal balance between performance and power efficiency.

Quad-DAC: Balanced Sound (Natural & Smooth), Efficient Power, 6Vrms, 28 Hours Playback. Astell&Kern's signature sound with a natural and smooth sonic character, optimized for efficient power consumption and extended playback time.

Octa-DAC: Ultimate Sound (Greater Detail), Maximum Performance, 8Vrms, 15 Hours Playback. Delivers extraordinary audio fidelity with an expansive dynamic range and exceptional channel separation.

Longer, More Convenient Listening: Up to 28 Hours of Continuous Playback

Offering up to 28 hours of continuous playback, it allows complete immersion in music without worrying about battery life. Stay focused purely on your sound with a single charge, from long commutes to travel, and all the way until bedtime.

Weighing approximately 200g with a curved 4.1-inch display that fits naturally in the hand, it delivers exceptional portability and a comfortable grip for effortless listening over extended periods.

Smart Sound that Understands Your Environment, EnviroTune

A blend of 'Environment' and 'Tune,' EnviroTune is an intelligent sound-tuning technology that analyzes listening surroundings in real time to restore musical details easily lost to ambient noise.

The built-in microphone detects changes in ambient noise in real time, analyzing input sound by frequency band to automatically compensate for frequencies masked by noise.

Without unnecessarily raising the volume, the sound continuously adapts to your environment, allowing complete immersion in the original detail of your music, anywhere, anytime.

*EnviroTune is supported on PCM audio up to 24-bit/192kHz.

Minimizing Group Delay with Proprietary ESA (Enhanced Signal Alignment) Technology

The PD5 drastically improves group delay, a chronic issue in audio systems, through proprietary ESA (Enhanced Signal Alignment) technology. By aligning frequency signals to arrive with greater uniformity, ESA minimizes frequency distortion and elevates sound quality to be clearer and more pristine.

*What is Group Delay? It refers to the time difference required for various frequencies to pass through an audio system, causing sound signals across different frequencies to arrive at slightly different times rather than simultaneously.

TERATON ALPHA

To deliver the ultimate DAP experience like never before, we incorporated the latest DACs and upgraded specifications, while further advancing TERATON ALPHA, Astell&Kern's Ultimate Sound Solution. Perfected through relentless research, TERATON ALPHA is Astell&Kern's proprietary audio technology designed to deliver sound closest to the original source through effective power noise removal, efficient power consumption, unwavering amplification, and a seamlessly converted audio output interface.

Vivid Original Sound: Digital Audio Remaster Technology

The PD5 features Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) technology, developed to deliver the refined sound of higher sample rates. DAR upsamples the sample rate of played audio tracks to transcend the physical limitations of the original source format. Higher sample rates enable more delicate and precise playback, bringing sound closer to true analog expression. It vividly reproduces original recordings, allowing you to experience subtle musical nuances and rich sound at an elevated level.

• PCM option: PCM in 44.1kHz family converts to 352.8kHz; PCM in 48kHz family converts to 384kHz; DSD tracks play as original without conversion
• DSD option: PCM under 192kHz converts to DSD128
• The DAR function can be turned On/Off depending on the playing source and personal preference.
• Supports conversion up to maximum PCM Rate 384kHz / DSD128, automatically adapting to the sample rate of the source audio.

Sound Design Shaped by DAC Filters

Select from four distinct DAC filters to tailor your personal listening preference. Take full control of your sound characteristics with custom signal shaping.

• Low Latency Fast: Enhanced bass response driven by post-ringing decay.
• Low Latency Slow: Pure original sound preserved with subtle natural reverb.
• Phase Compensated Fast: Powerful, dynamic sound character shaped by balanced pre/post-ringing.
• Phase Compensated Slow: Natural acoustic texture featuring light, gentle reverberation.

Crossfeed: A Speaker-Like Experience via Headphones

Crossfeed blends a portion of the original signal from one channel and sends it to the opposite channel with a slight time delay, centering the soundstage. This recreates the natural spatial presentation of listening through loudspeakers while reducing ear fatigue during extended listening. Tailor the sound to your preference with detailed settings including Shelf Cutoff, Shelf Gain, and Mixer Level.

Automatic Volume Adjustment with ReplayGain

ReplayGain automatically normalizes track volumes across different music files, ensuring a consistent playback level throughout your playlist without manual adjustments.

ReplayGain supports audio tracks up to 24-bit/192kHz.

Dual-Band Wi-Fi (2.4/5GHz)

Equipped with Dual-Band Wi-Fi (2.4/5GHz), the device provides enhanced network performance for seamless high-resolution music streaming and Roon Ready integration.

Wireless Hi-Fi Sound via BT Sink

The BT Sink function allows you to connect external devices to the player via Bluetooth, much like linking a smartphone to a wireless speaker, streaming high-fidelity music directly to the device from an external source.

Roon Ready network players

Roon Ready network players from our partners have Roon's high-resolution streaming technology built right in. They combine simple setup, daily reliability, and support for the highest level of digital audio performance in the industry. Every Roon Ready player is certified by Roon to guarantee the same stellar experience, regardless of its manufacturer, its price, or its features.

Qobuz Connect support

With Qobuz Connect, seamlessly enjoy the full Qobuz experience. This feature offers the ability to control your Hi-Fi music directly from a Qobuz app, switch between devices while your music continues from the exact moment you left off, and control various Qobuz applications with each other. Simply launch Qobuz, press play, and enjoy the highest sound quality and an unmatched listening experience with CD/lossless and Hi-Res quality up to 24-bit/192 kHz, it's that simple.

Perfect Fit. Natural Feel

It may look like an ordinary case at first glance, but no detail was overlooked. Designed to seamlessly complement the PD5, this case is crafted in South Korea using premium TPU raw materials from Covestro, Germany. The soft, flexible material provides a snug, seamless fit with comfortable button feedback and reliable protection. Its high transparency preserves the original beauty of the device's design. While TPU naturally discolors over time, a special UV stabilizer is applied to slow down discoloration and keep the case looking clear and clean for longer.

DESIGN: Grip Control

The design concept of the PD5 is 'Grip Control.' It embodies lightweight portability to seamlessly accompany you anywhere, alongside the sleek, minimalist design identity defining the PD lineup.

Featuring a perfectly balanced feel in hand and a compact form factor, it delivers exceptional grip. The curved 4.1-inch display optimized for DAP usage offers effortless readability and tactile control, even during long listening sessions.

At the top, the microphone for EnviroTune and the power button are symmetrically arranged to achieve balanced aesthetic harmony, integrating functional elements into a single refined structure.

Effortless to carry and designed for daily enjoyment, the PD5 is lifestyle audio made to bring hi-fi DAP listening seamlessly into your everyday life.

Specifications