Astell&Kern ACRO CA1000T

Astell&Kern Acro CA1000T, the perfect combination of versatility and sound quality

Astell&Kern is a company renowned for its expertise in high-end hi-fi products. The CA1000T connected headphone amplifier is a perfect choice for discerning audiophiles. This versatile amplifier offers exceptional sound quality and can also function as a USB DAC, network player, preamplifier, and portable player. The CA1000T retains the design and style of its predecessor, the CA1000, but with significant internal improvements that enhance the details and nuances of your favorite tracks.

Key features:

• Triple amp system with a dual vacuum tube for hybrid sound options
• Equipped with an ES9039MPRO Dual-DAC for the very first time
• Perfectly drive any headphone/IEM with 4 gain levels and up to 15 Vrms output
• Multiple inputs and outputs provide maximum options and compatibility
• Built-in battery for portability and optimal power supply

Unprecedented audio performance

The CA1000T stands out with a fully balanced architecture featuring a dual ES9039MPRO DAC. Each channel, left and right, has its own DAC for separate channel conversion. This design choice optimizes data processing, reduces noise level, and minimizes distortion to an imperceptible level. In terms of audio formats, it supports high-resolution audio formats, including PCM up to 32-bit/768 kHz resolution, native DSD up to DSD512, and MQA.

Extensive connectivity

The CA1000T offers extensive connectivity, with optical and coaxial inputs, two USB ports, a 4.4 mm jack input for connecting a pre-amplified turntable or other analog sources, and a microSD card slot. It also features unbalanced RCA outputs and balanced mini XLR outputs, with fixed or variable levels, allowing integration with hi-fi amplifiers or power amplifiers.

Triple-engine amplification

The CA1000T’s triple amplification system allows the amplification section to operate in different modes: transistors only for maximum dynamics and power, tubes only for a softer and warmer sound, or in hybrid mode with tube pre-amplification and transistor power amplification.

Technical Specifications

Main Features

• 4.1-inch touchscreen (720 × 1280)
• Four ESS ES9039MPRO converters
• Tube amplification: KORG NuTube 6P1 × 2
• Bit-perfect playback up to 32-bit / 768 kHz

Clock

• Clock jitter: 25 ps (typical)
• Reference clock jitter: 70 ps

Storage

• Internal memory: 256 GB
• MicroSD card × 1 (up to 1 TB)

Audio Performance

Frequency Response

• Unbalanced mode: ± 0.031 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
• Balanced mode: ± 0.029 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
• RCA output: ± 0.033 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
• XLR output: ± 0.002 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)

Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise

• Unbalanced mode: 0.004% at 1 kHz
• Balanced mode: 0.002% at 1 kHz
• RCA: 0.0005% at 1 kHz
• XLR: 0.0003% at 1 kHz

Output Impedance

• 3.5 mm, 6.35 mm: 1 Ω
• 2.5 mm, 4.4 mm: 2 Ω
• RCA: 4 Ω
• XLR: 9 Ω

Connectivity

Headphone Outputs

• Unbalanced: 3.5 mm, 6.35 mm
• Balanced: 2.5 mm, 4.4 mm

Other Connections

• Analog input: 4.4 mm × 1
• Analog outputs: XLR (stereo pair) × 1, RCA (stereo pair) × 1
• Digital inputs: coaxial × 1, optical × 1, USB (Type-C) × 1
• Digital outputs: optical (3.5 mm) × 1, USB (Type-C) × 1
• Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 / 5 GHz)

Battery

• Type: lithium-polymer 10,100 mAh 3.8 V
• Charging time: approximately 5 hours (fast charge 9 V / 3 A PD2.0)
• Battery life: approximately 11 hours

Physical Characteristics

• Aluminum chassis
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 104.9 × 45 × 155.8 mm
• Weight: 980 g