Seoul – High-resolution portable-audio company Astell&Kern is expanding its home audio presence with the late-August shipment of the $3,700-MAP AKT1 all-in-one high-resolution audio system.
The AKT1 is a slim t-shaped 39-inch-tall AKT1 sound system that stands on the floor and incorporates stereo speakers. It’s positioned as a space-saving way to play back high-res audio at home.
The company’s first home audio product, launched earlier this year, is the $12,000-MAP high-res 500N Network Music Player with 1TB SSD drive. It connects to existing home audio systems.
The AKT1 contains six speakers in a three-way configuration consisting of two 0.75-inch tweeters, two 2-inch midranges and two 6.5-inch woofers. It plays back 24-bit/192 KHz PCM files and native DSD64 and double-rate DSD128 DSD audio files. Playback sources include microSD card, optical and auxiliary inputs, and networked sources connected via wired Ethernet and 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi. It also features a variety of streaming services and Internet radio stations as well as stereo Bluetooth 3.0 with aptX.
Astell&Kern is the high-end audiophile brand launched in October 2012 by iriver.
