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Author Topic: Astell & Kern Jr. Review  (Read 3525 times)

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smithj

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Re: Astell & Kern Jr. Review
« Reply #20 on: July 24, 2015, 10:50:09 AM »
The thing that was immediately annoying with the AK JR was the unresponsive GUI.  Scrolling up and down your library not only looks visually unresponsive but there's also a bit of input lag with the touch screen as well.  For a $700 AUD device, this isn't acceptable in my books.  Its a real shame because the physical aspect from aesthetics to ergonomics is pretty good, especially the tactile volume wheel.

I've been looking at a standalone DAP for work but each time I try one, my brain tells me to just get a portable AMP/DAC like the Geek Out V2 and be done with it.  All of these DAPs are either horrendously expensive or feel really half baked. 
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Griffon

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Re: Astell & Kern Jr. Review
« Reply #21 on: July 24, 2015, 05:36:12 PM »
Quote from: smithj on July 24, 2015, 10:50:09 AM
The thing that was immediately annoying with the AK JR was the unresponsive GUI.  Scrolling up and down your library not only looks visually unresponsive but there's also a bit of input lag with the touch screen as well.  For a $700 AUD device, this isn't acceptable in my books.  Its a real shame because the physical aspect from aesthetics to ergonomics is pretty good, especially the tactile volume wheel.

I've been looking at a standalone DAP for work but each time I try one, my brain tells me to just get a portable AMP/DAC like the Geek Out V2 and be done with it.  All of these DAPs are either horrendously expensive or feel really half baked. 

700 m-f-ing AUD??? Geez this is outright a robbery... The AK stands OK given I can get it at 620 CAD after tax, but for 700 AUD I'm not buying it.
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mosshorn

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Re: Astell & Kern Jr. Review
« Reply #22 on: July 24, 2015, 08:01:34 PM »
Mine is coming in on either Monday or tomorrow....and I have the UERM too! After trying the Fiio X5ii and leaving very impressed (don't kill me), I have high hopes for the JR. Most complaints about it seem to be FW based, which coming from a Hisound player in the past....I can deal with.
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audiofrk

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Re: Astell & Kern Jr. Review
« Reply #23 on: July 24, 2015, 09:04:28 PM »
Why would hurt you for liking something? If you can get enjoyment out of budget gear go for it. We don't chase price here.
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Griffon

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Re: Astell & Kern Jr. Review
« Reply #24 on: July 24, 2015, 09:44:43 PM »
Quote from: mosshorn on July 24, 2015, 08:01:34 PM
Mine is coming in on either Monday or tomorrow....and I have the UERM too! After trying the Fiio X5ii and leaving very impressed (don't kill me), I have high hopes for the JR. Most complaints about it seem to be FW based, which coming from a Hisound player in the past....I can deal with.

We're just a whole bunch of jerks who aren't very used to talk without swearing, so don't take our bashing on some products too literally. We are mostly furious that a lot of products are priced with an extra zero.

OTOH, I don't think X5II's physical bottons are very well implemented, and I could never get around with that UI (FYI I also didn't get around with the iPod wheel - I hated it. Call me a heretic!). It sounded meh~OK to me but I haven't listened it back-to-back against Jr so no comments on comparison.

We look forward to your honest impressions and enjoy your music!
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ohm-image

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Re: Astell & Kern Jr. Review
« Reply #25 on: July 31, 2015, 02:28:36 AM »
If you are interested, I have published RMAA results for the AK Jr with accompanying graphs, both loaded and unloaded:

http://ohm-image.net/data/audio/rmaa-akjr-16-24-bit-loaded-unloaded

I'm a big fan of the WM8740; in fact, it is my favourite mobile DAC of all time. I love how the Jr sounds, but really dislike its length and shape. It hurts in the hands, and is even easier to accidentally trip the volume wheel and jolt thanks to the stupid touch-screen volume controls. Dangerous design, but very good sound.
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ohm-image

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Re: Astell & Kern Jr. Review
« Reply #26 on: August 04, 2015, 11:00:30 PM »
I've finished my formal review of it. If you're interested, you can read it here: http://www.headfonia.com/astell-kern-ak-jr-who-you-calling-junior/?
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Deep Funk

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Re: Astell & Kern Jr. Review
« Reply #27 on: August 04, 2015, 11:20:21 PM »
Quote from: mosshorn on July 24, 2015, 08:01:34 PM
Mine is coming in on either Monday or tomorrow....and I have the UERM too! After trying the Fiio X5ii and leaving very impressed (don't kill me), I have high hopes for the JR. Most complaints about it seem to be FW based, which coming from a Hisound player in the past....I can deal with.

Since Solderdude was positive about the X3 I am keeping an eye on Fiio. A DAP which can function as a decent enough Amp/DAC for not too much money with the basic functionality of a Clip Plus or Fuze, yeah I am paying attention...
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Griffon

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Re: Astell & Kern Jr. Review
« Reply #28 on: August 04, 2015, 11:39:09 PM »
Quote from: Deep Funk on August 04, 2015, 11:20:21 PM
Since Solderdude was positive about the X3 I am keeping an eye on Fiio. A DAP which can function as a decent enough Amp/DAC for not too much money with the basic functionality of a Clip Plus or Fuze, yeah I am paying attention...

Fiio UI is very confusing to me but if memory serves, sonically X3II is very clean and powerful.

Quote from: ohm-image on August 04, 2015, 11:00:30 PM
I've finished my formal review of it. If you're interested, you can read it here: http://www.headfonia.com/astell-kern-ak-jr-who-you-calling-junior/?

If Jr had a Sony-level polished GUI and firmware it should have been the most outstanding DAP in the under-$1K department.
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burnspbesq

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Re: Astell & Kern Jr. Review
« Reply #29 on: August 04, 2015, 11:41:58 PM »
Well, what a coincidence: mere minutes after reading the review complaining about the sharp edges of the Jr.'s casework (a valid beef in my view, but not a deal-breaker), into my inbox comes an email announcing the availability of cases for it.
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