Astell&Kern PA10
Portable Class-A Amplifier
The first portable Class-A AMP from Astell&Kern, the PA10 extracts all the subtle nuances in high resolution music when played back through varying headphones and IEMs to deliver a warm, detailed and refined sound.
The premium device showcases the company’s renowned expertise in AMP circuit design technology to reduce the device’s power consumption and increase its output while eliminating distortions or defects.
Despite its small size, the Astell&Kern PA10 supports 4.4mm True Balanced input/output while its crossfeed function is implemented exclusively by hardware circuit design, rather than digital software, offering a more seamless and sophisticated crossfeed effect without degrading the original sound.
Pure Class-A Amplification
Class-A AMPs offer the best linear output, providing soft, warm, and natural sounds by amplifying signals without distortions or defect.
This characteristic makes it the most sought-after amplification method by music lovers, though it is considered impossible for portable audio devices as it requires high power consumption and design that is difficult to be realised for small devices.
Astell&Kern PA10 integrates an analogue Class-A AMP based on the unique circuit design technology of Astell&Kern, offering signature analogue sounds.
With a unique circuit design from Astell&Kern that reduces power consumption and increases output while removing noise, AK PA10 is specifically designed to deliver the amazing sounds of an analogue Class-A AMP anywhere and at any time.
Class-A Current Control
AK PA10 offers a three-stage control of Class-A AMP current, emphasizing the characteristic of Class-A AMP relative to the current value and creating a more intense sound.
Also, they addressed the concern of battery drain due to power consumption, the major reason why Class-A AMPs are not used for portable devices, by controlling the current value.
You can create sounds that suit the characteristics of headphones and IEMs through the three-stage current control option.
Vivid Sound Output via Gain Control
Sufficient AMP output is required to extract all the subtle nuances in music when played back through varying headphones and IEMs.
When connected to the balanced input, Astell&Kern PA10 can support up to 6.2 Vrms output at high gain.
Choose the gain level that offers the best sound of the headphone and IEM that you use to enjoy crystal-clear sounds.
AK PA10 brings out the full potential that your audio device has to offer.
True Balanced Circuit Design
Most portable headphone AMPs switch 3.5mm Unbalanced signals to 4.4mm Balanced signals or do not support a 4.4mm Balanced connection at all.
Such input/output combinations limit users from using the pure balanced output of the source device resulting in loss of signal during the transition process.
Rare for a portable analogue Class-A AMP, Astell&Kern PA10 supports 4.4mm True Balanced input/output for high output and vivid audio.
It also supports 3.5mm unbalanced input/output ports so that you can use it with a wider variety of devices.
Crossfeed
Crossfeed mixes some of the signals from one channel and sends them to the opposite channel with a slight delay, creating a more central and natural sound, recreating sounds similar to that of listening via a speaker system, subsequently reducing listening fatigue.
AK PA10’s Crossfeed function is implemented exclusively by hardware circuit design, not by digital software, offering a more seamless and sophisticated crossfeed effect without degrading the original sound.
Turn on Crossfeed to experience the vivid, authentic and effortless sound this feature has to offer.
What’s in the box – Astell&Kern PA10
- 1x Astell&Kern PA10 Portable Class-A Amplifier
- 1x USB-C to USB-A Cable
- 1x 3.5mm to 3.5mm AUX cable
- 2x Silicone Bands
- 1x Quick start guide
- 1x Warranty Card
Specifications Astell&Kern PA10
Body Color – Graphite Gray
Body Material – Aluminum & Silicone
Analogue Inputs – Unbalanced 3.5mm / Balanced 4.4mm
Headphone Outputs – Unbalanced 3.5mm / Balanced 4.4mm
Input Max Level – Unbalanced 2Vrms / Balanced 4Vrms
Output Level – [Low Gain] Unbalanced 2.1Vrms / Balanced 4.2Vrms (Condition No Load),
[High Gain] Unbalanced 3.1Vrms / Balanced 6.2Vrms (Condition No Load)
Dimensions – 2.87″(73mm)[W] x 5.51″(140mm)[H] x 0.91″(23.3mm)[D]
Weight – about 11.46oz (325g)
Charging Port – USB C Type
Operating Temperature – 0℃ ~ + 40℃ (32℉~ 104℉)
Audio Specifications
Frequency Response
[Low Gain] ±0.2dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalanced / ±0.2dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) Balanced
[High Gain] ±0.06dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalanced / ±0.06dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) Balanced
S/N
[Low Gain] 111dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 115dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
[High Gain] 114dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 117dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
THD+N
[Low Gain] 0.0045% @1kHz, Unbalanced / 0.0015% @1kHz, Balanced
[High Gain] 0.0027% @1kHz, Unbalanced / 0.0013% @1kHz, Balanced
Crosstalk
[Low Gain] -83dB @ 1kHz Unbalanced / -110dB @ 1kHz Balanced
[High Gain] -83dB @ 1kHz Unbalanced / -110dB @ 1kHz Balanced
Output Impedance – 3.5mm (1.1ohm) / 4.4mm(1.3ohm)
Battery
Capacity – 4,200mAh 3.8V Li-Polymer
Charge Time
About 3hours (Standard – 9V / 1.67A Fast Charging)
About 4hours (Standard – 5V / 2A General Charging)
Playback Time – About 12hours (Unbalanced / Input – 1Vrms / Low Gain / Volume 30%)
