- Astell & Kern PD20 is here
- Offers a listening test and triple-amp design
- On sale in late March for $1,970 / £1,799 (about AU$3,000)
I can't say I'm the core target audience for the best digital audio player — I don't have thousands (or even hundreds) to spend on kit like this, so it's the ultra-cheap options like the Majority MP3 that I end up focusing on. But a new release from Astell & Kern is really catching my attention.
Just a few days after its new copper DAP was one of the gadgets I played with at a high-end audio show, A&K has revealed a new device. Meet the Astell & Kern PD20, which is set to go on sale in mid-March for $1,970 / £1,799 (about AU$3,000).
The headline feature of this new digital audio player (often shortened to DAP by people who know about such things) is that it comes with a "Personal Sound" system, as A&K is calling it. This uses the packaged in-ear headphones — yep, no need to worry about buying separate IEMs — to analyze your hearing, and create a bespoke listening profile just for you. The idea is that it can compensate for any flaws or shortcomings in your own hearing; after all, our ears are all unique. For example, if you struggle to hear bass, it could boost it a little bit.
This feature was designed with Audiodo, another testament to its usefulness: this company also designed the build-in listening test in headphones like the Nothing Ear (3), CMF Headphone Pro and Noble FoKus Amadeus. We praised all three, so expectations are high.
It sounds like the listening test requires the dedicated earphones, so make sure not to lose them: it could affect resale value, and cut you off from the key feature.
I absolutely love listening tests, and while a growing number of wireless earbuds come with their own proprietary solutions, they're rather hit-or-miss. I imagine a respected company like Astell & Kern will get it right, especially when working with a reputed audio design brand.
Sounding PD good
Beyond its listening test, the A&K PD20 has a few other draws. It uses a triple-amp design, with a slider letting you easily switch between three listening modes, and a second slider letting you adjust the amp's current to get even more control over your sound.
There are four built-in DACs, and the device uses the Digital Audio Remaster tech that also came in the fantastic SP4000. This creates a more natural sound by putting the audio signal through several stages of processing to restore lost sound.
You can use the PD20 as a USB-connected DAC for computers (both Windows and Macs) which is a neat extra. It offers 2-channel stereo sound and EQ control that doesn't interrupt your playback. There's a sound wheel,
The PD20 has 256GB memory and you can bump that up to 2TB with microSD cards, and it supports aptX HD, LDAC and BT Sink wirelessly to act as a Bluetooth DAC too.
The device itself has a 6-inch FHD+ screen and, according to A&K, lasts for about 14 hours of playback if you're not listening to high-end codecs. It has both 3.5mm and 4.4mm out jacks, and a USB-C port for charging or computer connection.
It all sounds pretty neat, but we'll have to let our dedicated audio reviewers get their hands (and ears) on it, to see how well it runs. Watch this space…
➡️ Read our full guide to the best hi-res music players
1. Best overall:
Activo P1
2. Best budget hi-res player:
Fiio JM21
3. Best step-up hi-res player:
Astell & Kern A&norma SR35
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
And of course, you can also follow TechRadar on YouTube and TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.