Astell&Kern ACRO CA1000 Carryable Headphone Amplifier / DAP

Introducing the Astell & Kern CA1000 Carryable Headphone Amp.

The ACRO CA1000 is a headphone amplifier plus Digital Audio Player that combines the functions and portability of a high-performance amplifier and DAP based on the fundamental A&K philosophy of delivering original sound. ACRO CA1000 sets a new standard for headphone amplifiers, providing powerful and clear sound with the features never available on any other comparable headphone amp.

In order to perfectly drive the most sophisticated headphones, a device must be able to fully deliver output that matches the characteristics of the headphone. ACRO CA1000 supports four levels of gain settings so that almost any existing headphones can be driven to an optimal state. The gain setting circuitry implemented in CA1000 can drive even high-impedance headphones without degrading the sound quality using a max output of 15 Vrms. ACRO CA1000 unlocks the potential of headphones for a fully immersive experience.

ACRO CA1000 features a variety of outputs that can be used by everyone from general users to audiophiles. 3.5mm, 6.35mm Unbalanced, 2.5mm and 4.4mm Balanced output jacks are available to accommodate a variety of headphones/earphones. The CA1000 can be used as a Hi-Fi audio system by connecting devices using a variety of digital inputs/output (Optical, Coaxial, Type-C USB) and analog inputs/outputs (RCA). All Input/output settings can be easily and conveniently selected using the CA1000 touch screen.

ACRO CA1000 is equipped with four ES9068AS DACs, providing perfect decoding capabilities with Astell&Kern's amplifier circuit technology. The clear and overwhelming output expresses the original sound without distortion. 2.5mm, 3.5mm, 4.4mm and 6.35mm output circuits are physically separated by applying tiny, independent relay components. If the signal from each output stage of a high-power headphone amplifier is not blocked properly, this can cause noise interference. CA1000 boasts a noise-free output with an independent circuit structure by using relays to completely block connectors that are not in use.

ACRO CA1000 also features premium sound using Astell&Kern’s proven technology. You can enjoy your favourite music to your heart's content with support for native DSD512 and 32bit/384kHz PCM playback. Bit-to-bit playback is possible up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and 22.4MHz native DSD, so even the smallest details the artist wanted to express in the music can be heard without distortion.

In a headphone environment in which the left and right channels are clearly separated, ear fatigue may increase during prolonged listening. The moment you turn on Crossfeed, the experience of crisp, but comfortable sound begins. Crossfeed mixes parts of the original signal from one channel and sends that signal to the opposite channel with a time difference to centre the sound image. Through the use of detailed settings such as Shelf Cutoff, Shelf Gain, and Mixer Level, you can set the level of crossfeed according to your listening preferences.

The ACRO CA1000 features USB-PD 2.0 charging that supports 9V/3A for faster charging. When used with a USB-C adapter that supports USB-PD 2.0 fast charging, the ACRO CA1000 can charge to 50% in one hour, and fully charge in about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Features

• Perfectly drive any headphone/IEM with 4 levels of gain and up to 15 Vrms output.
• Multiple inputs / outputs provide maximum options and compatibility with all of your audio equipment.
• Equipped with ESS ES9068AS Quad-DAC for detailed and balanced sound.
• Support for 32bit/384kHz PCM and Native DSD512 playback.
• Built-in Battery - Portable amplifier can operate without external power supply.
• TERATON ALPHA, the epitome of Astell&Kern audio technology.
• Crossfeed support for a more natural acoustic experience with headphones.
• Support for the latest Bluetooth 5.0 and wireless 24-bit codecs (Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, LDAC).
• Dual-Band Wi-Fi support for greater wireless connectivity.
• ReplayGain that automatically adjusts sound levels across different music tracks.
• Silver Plating Shield to minimize noise and interference.
• Touch screen sisplay angle adjustable from 0 - 60 degrees.

Specifications

• Model: ACRO CA1000
• Body Colour: Moon Silver
• Body Material: Aluminium
• Display: 4.1 inch 720 x 1280 touch screen
• Supported Audio Formats: WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF, MQA
• Sample Rates: (PCM) 8kHz - 384kHz (8/16/24/32bits per Sample), (DSD Native) DSD64 (1bit 2.8MHz), Stereo / DSD128 (1bit 5.6MHz), Stereo / DSD256 (1bit 11.2MHz), DSD512 (1bit, 22.4MHz) Stereo
• Output Levels (Headphone Out)
• [Low] Unbalanced 2Vrms / Balanced 4Vrms (Condition No Load)
• [Mid] Unbalanced 4Vrms / Balanced 8Vrms (Condition No Load)
• [High] Unbalanced 6Vrms / Balanced 12Vrms (Condition No Load)
• [Super] Unbalanced 8Vrms / Balanced 15Vrms (Condition No Load)
• Output Level (RCA Out) 2Vrms (Condition No Load)
• CPU Quad-core
• DAC ESS ES9068AS x4 (Quad-DAC)
• Decoding Support up to 32bit / 384kHz Bit-to-Bit playback
• Headphone Outputs Unbalanced (3.5mm, 6.35mm) / Balanced (2.5mm, 4.4mm)
• Analog Inputs Outputs RCA (Stereo pair) x1 / RCA (Stereo pair) x1
• Digital Inputs Outputs Coaxial x1, Optical x1, USB(Type-C) x1 / Optical(3.5mm) x1, USB(Type-C) x1
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz)
• Bluetooth V5.0 (A2DP, AVRCP, Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, LDAC)
• Dimensions 4.12"(104.9mm)[W] x 1.77"(45mm)[H] x 5.85"(148.8mm)[D]
• Weight about 32.41oz (919g)
• Feature Enhancements Firmware upgrade supported (OTA)
• Operating Temperature 0℃ - 40℃ (32℉ - 104℉)
• Clock Jitter 25ps (Typ)
• Reference Clock Jitter 70ps
• Built-in Memory 256GB [NAND]
• External Memory microSD x1 (Max. 1TB)
• Battery Capacity 8,400mAh 3.8V Li-Polymer
• Charge Time about 2.5 hours (9V / 3A PD2.0 Fast Charging) | 7 hours (5V 2A General Charging)
• Playback Time about 10.5 hours (Standard : FLAC, 16bit, 44.1kHz, Unbalanced, Vol.40, LCD Off, Low Gain)
• Supported OS Windows 7,8,10 (32/64bit), MAC OS X 10.7 and up

More Information

• ACRO CA1000, by Astell&Kern