Astell&Kern (A&K), known for producing high-priced, hi-res audio portable digital audio players (DAPs) among audiophiles, has just introduced its most budget-friendly model so far.
The P1 by Astell&Kern will be available on Amazon in August for $430. This price, while not exceptionally low for a modernized iPod alternative, is significantly more affordable compared to A&K’s current entry-level SR35 player ($799) and flagship SP3000T ($3,000).
Despite its affordable price, the P1 – also known as the Activo P1 in other countries – boasts many of the features expected from A&K products. These include full support for various hi-res formats, a touchscreen interface with Android-based OS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, expandable storage, high-quality DACs, and the ability to drive different IEMs and headphones.
One distinctive feature of the P1 is its unique aluminum and polycarbonate body design, a departure from A&K’s traditional angular, all-aluminum designs.
A&K emphasizes the tactile design of the player, where buttons on either side are uniquely shaped for easy differentiation by touch. The P1 also features a cleverly integrated control key for seamless device operation.
Key specifications of the P1 include:
- 3.5mm unbalanced and 4.4mm balanced headphone jacks
- Dual ESS ES9219Q Sabre DACs in a dual-mono setup
- OctaCore processor
- Support for PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, DSD256, full MQA decoding
- Astounding sound capabilities with Teraton Alpha sound technology
- Dual-band Wi-Fi, up to 1.5TB microSD card support
- 4.1-inch HD touchscreen, Bluetooth 5.3, LDAC or aptX HD codecs
- PD 3.0 fast charging, Crossfeed and Roon Ready support
- USB audio mode, up to 20 hours of continuous playback
One of the standout features of the P1 is its Google Play Store support, allowing users to install streaming music apps like on a regular Android smartphone.
The user interface has been revamped for increased usability, presenting main navigational elements as familiar shapes like triangles, circles, and squares for easy navigation.
Nevertheless, the P1 retains advanced features for power users, such as a parametric equalizer with fine control settings and multiple DAC filter options to enhance audio quality.
