Astell & Kern ACRO L1000
The ACRO L1000 brings authoritative drive and an open, detailed presentation to desktop listening. HomeTheaterHifi found its dual-DAC design delivers crisp transients, sweet vocals and striking instrument separation without fatigue. With balanced and single-ended headphone outputs plus a 15W-per-channel speaker stage, this is a remarkably versatile, sculptural hub for serious personal audio.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
87/100
Features Usability
91/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Powerful, authoritative headphone drive with detailed sound across a variety of headphones.
Excellent instrument separation, extended frequency response and lively transient definition.
Versatile connectivity, including multiple balanced and single-ended headphone outputs plus 15W-per-channel passive-speaker amplification.
Cons
The oversized volume control requires several full turns to move from low to high volume, and there is no dedicated mute button.
The chassis can become noticeably warm during spirited listening.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Reviewers describe a powerful, refined and highly engaging presentation, with strong extension, clean separation and a notably sweet vocal character. Its amplifier section was reported to drive every headphone tried with authority, though the supplied reviews offer limited direct comment on background hiss with sensitive IEMs.
Transparency Resolution
93/100
HomeTheaterHifi heard supreme extension at both frequency extremes and unusually clear instrumental separation, with no sense of blur. Cymbals, snare transients and voices were described as convincingly present and well defined.
Tonal Balance Musicality
92/100
The neutral setting was preferred most often, while the available filters remained subtle and none of the modes became fatiguing. Reviewers also heard an appealing sweetness in Thom Yorke's voice and found the L1000 involving enough to keep seeking out more music.
Dynamics
94/100
The L1000 was repeatedly characterized as powerful, authoritative and lively, with convincing snare snap and a sense of bounce rather than brightness. One reviewer considered its drive ahead of all of the amplifiers on hand apart from a far more expensive Simaudio 430HA.
Noise Floor
88/100
HomeTheaterHifi heard at most a faint pop when powering the unit on or off through either headphones or speakers. The reviews do not provide detailed listening evidence about hiss with highly sensitive IEMs.
Headphone Compatibility
93/100
The reviewer reports that every headphone tried was driven with authority, and specifically calls the sound detailed and powerful through any headphone. Its selection of 3.5 mm, 6.3 mm, 2.5 mm balanced and four-pin XLR headphone connections adds practical flexibility for a wide range of cables and headphones.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
87/100
Reviewers praise the distinctive all-aluminum enclosure and the substantial, resistant feel of the volume knob. The chassis can become noticeably warm during spirited listening, particularly in a warm room, but this was not presented as a reliability concern.
Features Usability
91/100
This is an unusually versatile desktop unit, combining a dual-DAC USB input with single-ended and balanced headphone outputs in several connector formats. It also includes binding posts and a separate Class-D amplifier for passive desktop speakers, extending its usefulness beyond headphone listening.
Value for Money
85/100
At its $899 MSRP, the L1000 was highly recommended by HomeTheaterHifi and favorably compared with considerably more expensive amplification. The reviews do not otherwise directly examine competing products or make a detailed value case at the asking price.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
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Specifications
- Model
- ACRO L1000 / DAM11
- Body Color
- Gun Metal
- Body Material
- Aluminum
- Dimensions
- 4.44 ”(112.87 mm) [W] x 6.29 ”(160 mm) [H] x 4.43 ”(112.75 mm) [D]
- Weight
- 32.45 oz (about 920.7g)
- DAC
- AKM AK4490 x2 (Dual DAC)
- Inputs
- USB Micro-B input (PC/MAC)
- Outputs
- PHONES Out(3.5mm, 6.3mm), Balanced Out(2.5mm-only 4-pole supported, 4-pin Balanced XLR), Speaker out (L/R binding posts x2)
- Sample rate
- 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), Stereo
- Output Level
- Unbalance 6Vrms / Balance 8.5Vrms (Condition No Load)
- Power Supply
- 12V adaptor
- Frequency Response
- ±0.064dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalance & Balance / ±0.73dB (Condition: 10Hz~70kHz) Unbalance & Balance
- Signal to Noise Ratio
- 115dB @ 1kHz, Unbalance / 116dB @ 1kHz, Balance
- Crosstalk
- 108dB @ 1kHz, Unbalance / 138dB @ 1kHz, Balance
- THD+N
- 0.003% @ 1kHz, Unbalance / 0.001% @ 1kHz, Balance
- Output
- 15W x2 (4ohm)
- Frequency Response
- ±0.32dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) (Condition: 4ohm, 1kHz, 10% THD)
- Signal to Noise Ratio
- 95dB (Condition: 4ohm, 1kHz, 10% THD)
- Crosstalk
- 110dB (Condition: 4ohm, 1kHz, 10% THD)
- Specification
- - Audio was NOT muted during the measurement. - The image/specification may be changed without notice to improve product performance and quality.
Manufacturer's Description — Astell & Kern
The first Desktop Headphone Amplifier from Astell&Kern.
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
- 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
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.
* Please note. You must lower the volume to zero before connecting any sensitive In-Ear-Monitors or headphones to protect your hearing and your equipment.
* When connecting more than two earphones/headphones, the sound is output to the earphones/headphones of the last connected terminal.
* When connecting to the XLR balanced terminal, all earphone/headphone jacks on the side of the product should not be connected.
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
Filters for Different Audio Preferences
The ACRO L1000 provides three sound settings: Neutral, Bass-Boost, and High-Gain filters to suit your preferences.
The Bass-Boost filter brings you deeper bass. The High-Gain filter provides more power output.
You can switch the different sound filters by simple pressing a button of L1000. The color of the LED light changes with the mode selected.
*Default Setting
- Blue LED for Neutral and default sound,
- Green LED for Bass-Boost filter
- Red LED for High-Gain filter.
DESIGN
The design of the ACRO L1000 resembles the 'Golden Ratio' of the Parthenon of Athens. Like the Golden Ratio
stays consistent and never changes, Astell&Kern has designed the L1000 to serve the never-changing value of
music. Its design signifies something that should never be changed – the original sound, and provides
distortion-free sound.
Therefore, the image of the historical building is the motif, and the L1000 represents a
distortion-free sound. The composed geometrics of the cylinder and the square reaffirms the
everlasting meaning of great music paired with modern technologies to provide the best
listening experience. The entire body is made of aluminum, which maximizes sound clarity,
adds aesthetics, and allows for an ergonomic volume control.
As it sits on a desk, the 30-degree angle will naturally fit your everyday use.
The size of volume wheel is designed to fit for your hand, and the knurled pattern allows
the perfect feel of being in control of your music. The accent of the LED rim lights around
the volume wheel adds a subtle, yet comfortable music listening ambience, and the 12 dots of
LED shows the status of music playback volume.
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- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Advanced MP3 Players — online and in-store — Musselburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (website)
- ALAIN CHOUKROUN — online and in-store — Paris, Île-de-France, France (website)
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- Area Hifi — online and in-store — L'Eixample, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (website)
- Audio 46 — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Audio Advice — online and in-store — Raleigh, North Carolina, United States (website)
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