Astell&Kern ACRO CA1000T ultra-compact audio system
The reputed South Korean firm Astell&Kern He has just demonstrated once again his extreme passion by putting the most advanced technology at the service of music reproduction without compromise from ultra-compact devices. This time it has been done with the brand new desktop audio system ACRO CA1000T, replacement of the celebrated ACRO CA1000. Specifically designed for audio enthusiasts at the highest level, the new Astell&Kern is the first audio component to include a triple headphone amplification system equipped with vacuum valves and the d/a converter latest from ESS Technologies, to which must be added a extensive endowment of connections capable of satisfying the expectations of users wishing to build a complete Hi-Fi system around the ACRO CA1000T. Thus, there are outputs with XLR and RCA connectors, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (5.0) to facilitate the connection of both external audio devices and active loudspeakers.
For its part, the incorporation of the most recent reference DAC of the aforementioned ESS Technology, the ES9039MPROcontributes to obtain a extraordinarily transparent three-dimensional sound with improved modulation to reduce power consumption and consequently background noise. Note that this DAC ensures full compatibility with PCM signals up to 32-bit/768 Hz, SD up to DSD512 and MQA 16X, as well as, in this case wirelessly, aptX-HD and LDACturning the ACRO CA1000T into an audio component extremely powerful. Furthermore, the compact dimensions of the audio subsystem employed make it easy to use a circuit redesigned topology, resulting in sound packed with micro-information with deep, rich bass and crystal-clear highs. Another key element of the new Astell&Kern is the presence of two vacuum valves KORG Nutube and fully balanced circuitry with completely separate left and right channels, thus creating an even sweeter, more natural sound.
These high performance devices also benefit from a Triple Amplification System with which users can select between Tube Amp, OP Amp modes or both, thus experiencing three highly personal sonic “signatures”. Like its predecessor, the ACRO CA1000T houses within it the exclusive and sophisticated technology TERATON ALPHA Astell&Kern, which minimizes distortion even at very high output levels, in the case of 15 Vrms corresponding to the Gain Level highest level provided by the four-stage section of this exquisite product. The ACRO CA1000T is completed with the singularity of the industrial design and the construction quality of Astell&AKern, as well as with a internal memory of 256 GB (expandable by an additional 1TB via microSD card) and a practical Battery Protection Mode designed to maximize the useful life of the latter.
Technical characteristics
- Reference ultra-compact desktop audio system.
- Equipped with two KORG Nutube 6P1 vacuum tubes.
- Based on the “pack” of Astell&Kern TERATON ALPHA technologies.
- Equipped with two ESS Technology ES9039MPRO D/A converters.
- DAC section supports PCM up to 32-bit/768 kHz and DSD up to DSD512.
- Support aptX-HD and LDAC.
- Aluminum main body with adjustable tilt touch screen.
- Headphone amplifier with 4 output levels.
- Headphone amplifier compatible with impedances from 32 to 600 ohms.
- Balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) line outputs.
- Coaxial, optical and USB (USB-C) digital inputs.
- Optical and USB (USB-C) digital outputs.
- Bluetooth 5.0 and dual-band Wi-Fi compatible.
- High capacity battery with maximum autonomy of 11 hours.
- 256 GB internal memory expandable by an additional 1TB via microSD card.
- Frequency response of 20-20,000 Hz, +/-0’029 in balanced mode.
- Signal to noise ratio of 128 dB at 1 kHz in balanced mode.
- -145 dB crosstalk at 1 kHz in balanced mode.
- Dimensions: 104’9x45x155’8 mm (W x H x D).
- Weight: 980g.
