Desktop

Our Take 
Coolest looking headphone amp ever made? Easily. We are huge, huge fans of the L1000 not just because the Dual AK4490 DAC sounds beautiful, but mostly because we can't keep our hands off of that volume wheel. Momma Mia, that thing is dope. Set this beauty on your desk, connect any kinda headphone you have, plug in some speakers, and bam...you're living the high life. File this one under "Sleeper Hit of the Year."

From Astell&Kern
Step up to a new world, ACRO L1000

• Dual High-End AK4490 DACs Built-in 
• PCM playback up to 32bit/384kHz, Native DSD 256 playback supported 
• Support for various audio output options for Hi-Fi Audiophiles 
• 15W Audio Output per Channel for Stereo Speakers 
• Filters for Different Audio Preferences (Bass-boost, High-Gain) 
• Optimal design for both usability and sound playback

Astell&Kern introduces a new sub-brand of desktop audio products called ACRO. Astell&Kern has taken their expertise in designing best-selling, world-class portable audio devices and put that knowledge in to the first desktop audio product, the ACRO L1000. The ACRO L1000 is the first Desktop Headphone Amplifier from Astell&Kern.

Dual High-End AK4490 DACs Built-in
The ACRO L1000 features two AK4490 DAC chips, the same proven performance DACs found in the popular and successful Astell&Kern AK380 players. The Dual DACs deliver proven consistent and high performance digital music playback. With the Dual DAC configuration, the ACRO L1000 delivers superb resolution and rich spatial sound. 

The Dual-DAC implementation is re-designed to perform at its best efficiency with the new AMP circuit design in the L1000. This new design allows the ACRO L1000 to deliver master-quality sound with minimal distortion.

PCM playback up to 32bit/384kHz, Native DSD 256 playback supported
The L1000 plays back bit-to-bit high-resolution PCM digital audio up to 32bits. A 32-bit CPU has also been added for the most accurate processing of digital audio playback, without compromising audio quality. As a result, the ACRO L1000 can reproduce up to 32bit/384kHz PCM as originally recorded, with no down-sampling. The L1000 also supports native DSD playback up to 11.2MHz, without conversion.

- The maximum audio output would be limited based on the output capacity of your source device.

Support for various audio output options for Hi-Fi Audiophiles
The ACRO L1000 provides multiple audio output options to fit your needs. 

It can be connected to a universal 3.5mm/6.3mm jack, or to a headphone or earphone with a 2.5mm/4-pole XLR balanced jack. Unlike other headphone amplifiers, the ACRO L1000 features speaker binding posts offering a maximum audio output of up to 15W per channel at 4 ohms.

Easy Connection to Computers and other Digital Music Sources
The ACRO L1000 can be connected to your PC or MAC via Micro USB cable.

Using an Astell&Kern portable player as a source device will give you more powerful audio experience with your L1000.

- When connecting with a PC or a MAC, you may be required to download a USB DAC driver for your OS.
Sound output will be available through ‘Audio-Output’ option in your sound settings.
- An OTG USB cable is not included in the package.
- Please check the capability of Astell&Kern portable players before using it as a source device: 
The L1000 will be compatible with: AK380, AK320, AK300, KANN, AK70, AK70 MKⅡ, or SP1000

Our Take 
"Astonishing" is the best word we can use to describe the Hugo 2. Chord Electronics' cutting-edge proprietary DAC technology will leave you hopelessly addicted. Easily a true reference DAC that can be added to any serious high end speaker system, you can also slip the Hugo 2 in your bag and take what may be the ultimate portable DAC/amp experience anywhere you want. An endgame transportable without a doubt; our highest recommendation.

From Chord Electronics 
In 2014, we introduced Hugo, a revolutionary portable DAC and headphone amp that became a landmark product in the audio landscape. Advances in digital technology, including the latest FPGAs and WTA (Watts Transient Aligned) filters, have enabled us to introduce a next-generation version, Hugo 2, featuring flexible new features, plus next-generation technical and sonic performance.

Hugo 2 can be used both at home and on-the-go, either with headphones or within a conventional audio system. Its line-level output and full-function remote control adds real flexibility in full-size and desktop systems.

The device offers four digital inputs (optical, coaxial and HD USB) plus extended-range Bluetooth, with high-resolution file playback up to 768kHz and up to DSD512 (Octa DSD), via its HD USB input. Analogue outputs include 2x RCA, plus 3.5mm and 6.35mm headphone outputs.

A four-function switch filter offers a useful degree of user-selectable frequency-shaping, bringing warm and soft or transparent and incisive presentations, giving additional flexibility and user control. For headphone-listening, Hugo 2 retains the popular digital crossfeed function of the original and offers three operation modes. The system duplicates the effect of listening to speakers and is based on advanced binaural audio research.

Hugo 2 features four spherical control buttons, which illuminate with colour-coding information and control power, input, filtering, plus the unit’s crossfeed functions.

Battery playing time is around seven hours and two modes of automatic charging are included using the dedicated Micro USB charging port; an indicator shows charging and battery-charge status.

Materials: Clamshell precision machined aluminium casing with polycarbonate  buttons, acrylic signal window, and glass viewing portal. Available in a choice of two colours – natural silver, and satin black

Battery: 2x Rechargeable custom Enix Energies 3.7v 9.6Wh Li-ion (lithium-ion (2600mAh) batteries*

Tap length filter: 49,152 – 10 element Pulse Array design

Play time: In excess of seven (7) hours

Charging: Nominal four (4) hours via Micro USB at 1.8amps (fast charge) – Nominal eight (8) hours at 1amp (slow charge)

Connectivity (input): Micro USB (White): 44.1kHz – 768kHz – 16bit – 32bit

Coax via 3.5mm Jack (Red): 44.1kHz – 384kHz – 16bit – 32bit

Dual data mode input (using both BNC coax inputs together): 44.1kHz – 768kHz – 16bit – 32bit

Optical (Green): 44.1kHz – 192kHz – 16bit – 24bit

Connectivity (input wireless): Bluetooth (Apt X) (Blue): 44.1kHz – 48kHz – 16bit

Connectivity (output): 1x ¼” jack headphone output

1x 3.5mm jack headphone output

1x stereo (L & R) RCA output

PCM support: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 358.8kHz, 384kHz, 717.6kHz, and 768kHz.

DSD support: Native playback supported. DSD64 (Single) to DSD512 (Octa-DSD)

Volume control: Digital, activated in 1dB increments. Last known state saved upon shutdown, with exception of line-level mode

Line-level mode: Activated via dual press of middle ‘Source’ and ‘Crossfeed’ buttons. Line level = 3v via all outputs. Reset by power cycle

Power saving mode: Auto-shutdown after ten minutes of input inactivity

Driver support: Driverless with Mac OS X and Linux, driver required for Windows OS

• 2 amp USB Charger

• 1.2m USB to Micro USB Cable

• 15cm Micro USB Cable to Micro USB OTG Cable

• Hugo 2 Owners Overview Manual

• IR Remote control

Our Take 
The Qutest is the our top choice for a DAC under five grand. Until you reach the Hugo TT 2 level, you simply cannot find a better DAC. Pair this with a high quality headphone amp or use it in your 2-channel setup – we promise you will be absolutely floored by its performance. And if you really, really want to transcend to absolute digital audio nirvana, pair your Qutest with a Hugo M Scaler (available via special order), and you may never leave your house ever again.

From Chord Electronics 
Qutest is our "pure" DAC (it does not contain headphone amplification or rechargeable batteries like some of its range stablemates) and is designed to improve sound quality in the home. It is the latest evolution of our most affordable standalone DAC, the multi-award-winning 2Qute, which it directly replaces.

Qutest is based on our award-winning proprietary FPGA technology developed for the class-leading Hugo 2 DAC/headphone amp, giving it proven class-leading technical and sonic performance. Perfectly equipped to bring the benefits our digital technology to a wide range of connected devices, it features a galvanically isolated USB-B, optical and coaxial digital input, giving an instant performance upgrade, plus the ability to modernize aging digital source components.

The Qutest chassis is all-new, too. It has significantly greater mass than its predecessor and has been precision-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminum billet. The Qutest PCB nestles within a shallow cavity in the solid aluminum chassis, giving the circuit board greater protection within the casework and additional isolation from external vibration compared to previous designs.

Qutest offers Hugo 2’s proprietary user-selectable frequency-shaping filters and input selection controls, available via two fascia-mounted spheres, introducing useful flexibility. It also features RCA analogue outputs for connection to integrated amplifiers, preamps and headphone amps, plus high-resolution dual-data digital inputs for connection to future Chord Electronics products.

A further new feature is a user-selectable output voltage available in 1, 2 and 3V RMS outputs for flexible connectivity with a wide range of partnering devices.

Materials: Precision machined aluminum casing with polycarbonate  buttons and glass viewing portal. Available only in Jett Black.

Device power supply: 5v 2amp Micro USB

Tap length filter: 49,152 – 10 element Pulse Array design

Connectivity (input): USB Type B (White): 44.1kHz to 768kHz – 16bit to 32bit

2x BNC Coax (Red): 44.1kHz – 384kHz – 16bit to 32bit

1x Dual data mode input (using both BNC coax inputs together): 44.1kHz to 768kHz – 16bit to 32bit

Optical (Green): 44.1kHz to 96kHz – 16bit to 24bit

Connectivity (output): 1x stereo pair of RCA (Left and Right)

PCM support: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 358.8kHz, 384kHz, 717.6kHz, and 768kHz.

DSD support: Native playback supported. DSD64 (Single) to DSD512 (Octa-DSD)

Variable output: Fixed, but selectable between 3v (blue), 2v (green), and 1v (red) via dual press of ‘Filter’ + ‘Input’ upon startup

Driver support: Driverless with Mac OS X and Linux, driver required for Windows OS

Digital designer: Rob Watts

Mechanical designer: John Franks

Country of manufacture: England

• 1.5m 5v 2a Switching Micro USB Power Supply

• 2m Type A to Type B USB Cable

• Qutest Owners Overview Manual

• Raw Silk Drawstring Bag

Our Take 
This is where we would've inserted Emperor Palpatine's "UNLIMITED POWER" gif, but alas, our site's doesn't support animated gifs (truly tragic). Instead, I guess we just need to say that if you want an endgame headphone amp with moar power than any human being could ever need, you've come to the right place. Oh, and you want both Class A solid state AND tube circuits? Oh, and it needs to be fully balanced with full differential internal signalling? Oh, and have features like XBass analogue bass correction, 3D Holographic dual-analogue matrices, 3 gain stages, and all kinds of headphone port types? I mean, come, dawg...just buy this thing, it's friggin amazing.

From iFi
The iFi Audio Pro iCAN is the flagship studio-grade headphone amplifier and audiophile line-stage processor with individual solid-state and tube amplification sections. The unit utilizes an Alps motorized rotary volume potentiometer, which features "6-tracks" for true balanced volume control regardless of balanced or single-ended connections. The unit features a variety of line-level inputs including two balanced XLRs and three stereo pairs of unbalanced RCAs, while line-level outputs include two balanced XLRs and a stereo pair of RCAs.

The Pro iCAN's front panel offers a selection of headphones, boasting the ability to drive anything from custom in-ear monitors to difficult-to-drive models, such as the AKG K-1000. For balanced headphones, there are no less than four sets including an 1/8" TRRS, two 1/4", two XLR (3-pin), and a single XLR (4-pin). For single-ended headphone outputs, a single 1/8" TRS and 1/4" TRS are provided.

The amplifier audio circuit is a development of iFi's proprietary 'Tube-State' design. It is fully discrete, fully balanced with either tube or J-FET inputs switchable, bipolar second stage and MOSFET-buffered bipolar class-A Power stage (with Class-AB for low-impedance headphones at very high levels). The resulting circuit may be best described as 'tri-brid' where each device is used to greatest sonic advantage while minimizing any drawbacks. Furthermore, the circuit is pure DC coupled to avoid using any conically degrading coupling capacitors.

The Pro iCAN is chocked full of premium components including TDK Japanese-made C0G-type capacitors and Vishay MELF-type thin film resistors. These are complimented by Panasonic Japanese-made ECPU film-capacitors explicitly designed for audio use with extremely low distortion (<0.00001% @ 1V/10 kHz). Additionally, iFi employed ELNA Japanese-made Silmic II capacitors for the power supplies. These use special silk-fiber paper for the isolating barrier resulting in decreased odd-order distortion and reduced microphonic/mechanical resonances.

HEADS UP: this is the new 4.4mm balanced headphone output version (instead of 2.5mm). It's slightly more powerful with 4200mW @ 16ohms and has improved circuit design for better sonics and stability. In stock and ready to ship!

Our Take 
Gee whiz, this is a whole lot of high end audio crammed into one beautiful desktop unit. Our pals at iFi didn't just create a reference DAC and call it a day...they built a box that works beautifully as a preamp, network streamer, and both solid-state and tube headphone amplifier. We've been using it in our office for months now and continue to be impressed with its performance and capabilities day in and day out. This is an endgame DAC and then some. If you really want to go all out, pair it with the Pro iCAN and get ready to have your face melted off.

From iFi
There’s no wrong way to enjoy your music as long as you’re enjoying it, so we’ve created the Pro iDSD reference grade DAC and amp combo to be the centerpiece for whatever strikes your mood. When convenience matters, stream from your favorite services like Spotify, Tidal, and Qobuz over WiFi for up to 24 bit / 192 kHz high resolution streaming audio.

For the ultimate in hi res audio connect your PC, laptop, tablet, digital audio player, Android, or iPhone (with Apple Camera Connection Kit, not included) to the high speed USB 3.0 input for native playback of all formats, including FLAC, WAV, PCM, DSD and even MQA decoding. The micro SD TF card slot and USB A inputs let you connect your external library, and you can run a network usb drive through the built-in ethernet port. Dust off your CD collection and plug in your DVD player via the SPDIF optical toslink jack to rediscover old classics.

On the back, RCA jacks and a balanced 3 pin XLR output connection work directly with your home audio amplifier or receiver allowing the Pro iDSD to function as the preamplifier for your home audio. When speaker listening isn’t an option, the built-in headphone amplifier will drive your favorite pair of headphones with ease as you listen to your favorite beats. Choose a filter from one of five options or apply DSD Remastering to dial in the perfect sound signature, and switch between solid audio amplifier or tube audio amplifier on the fly for just the right amount of warmth. No matter the way you listen, this is the only digital audio converter you need for your home.