Crafted to deliver clear and accurate sound as close to the original as possible, the Astell & Kern ACRO CA1000T All-In-One Head-Fi Audio System offers high-level output to drive even high-impedance headphones with 4 levels of gain and up to 15 Vrms. Internally, it sports the latest ESS ES9039MPRO Dual-DAC, a triple amp system with a dual-vacuum tube, and Astell & Kern's TERATON ALPHA processor, which provides stellar bit-to-bit playback up to 384 kHz / 32-bit and 22.4 MHz with native DSD512 support. You can output this audiophile-level, noise-free sound from multiple balanced (2.5 and 4.4mm) and unbalanced (3.5mm and 1/4" ) headphone jacks, as well as stereo RCA and balanced mini-XLR.
Crafted to deliver clear and accurate sound as close to the original as possible, the Astell & Kern ACRO CA1000T All-In-One Head-Fi Audio System offers high-level output to drive even high-impedance headphones with 4 levels of gain and up to 15 Vrms. Internally, it sports the latest ESS ES9039MPRO Dual-DAC, a triple amp system with a dual-vacuum tube, and Astell & Kern's TERATON ALPHA processor, which provides stellar bit-to-bit playback up to 384 kHz / 32-bit and 22.4 MHz with native DSD512 support. You can output this audiophile-level, noise-free sound from multiple balanced (2.5 and 4.4mm) and unbalanced (3.5mm and 1/4" ) headphone jacks, as well as stereo RCA and balanced mini-XLR.
The ACRO CA1000T can be used as a hi-fi sound system with multiple digital and analog inputs, or you can choose to wirelessly transmit high-quality music via Bluetooth 5.0, which supports 24-bit codecs such as aptX HD and LDAC. You can even receive audio from mobile devices with BT Sink to playback through your headphones. The amp can be used stationary or mobile thanks to a built-in 10,100mAh battery with up to 10.5 hours of playback and 256GB of internal storage, which can be augmented with an (optional) microSD card up to 1TB. However you use it, playback and settings are easily managed via the pop-up 4.1" 720p display mounted into the top of the unit.
At a Glance
- Equipped with a ES9039MPRO Dual-DAC for the first time ever
- Drive any headphone/IEM with 4 levels of gain and up to a 15 Vrms output
- Triple amp system with a dual-vacuum tube for hybrid sound options
- Multiple inputs and outputs provide maximum options and compatibility
- Built-in battery for portability and optimum power delivery
High-Quality Head-Fi Sound
- The ACRO CA1000T goes beyond the limitations of a fixed headphone amp with the Head-Fi audio system, which can be set up anywhere and can run independently of its internal battery.
- The ACRO CA1000T offers detailed headphone sound thanks to its built-in high-power headphone amp that does not require a connection to other devices.
- Its all-in-one Head-Fi audio system provides connectivity with external audio devices and speakers thanks to its diverse range of input/output ports, allowing you to easily enjoy network audio playback and music streaming.
Extensive Input/Output Options
The ACRO CA1000T offers an extensive range of input/output options that can meet the needs of audiophiles looking to build their ideal Head-Fi system with maximum utility. For greater ease of use, you can change the input/output settings using the touchscreen on top of the product while multiple cables and devices are connected.
Unbalanced 3.5mm and 6.35mm and Balanced 2.5mm and 4.4mm Outputs
- The output port located on the front side of the product is compatible with a range of sizes, so various headphones and IEMs can be connected, including both low-impedance and high-impedance varieties. The 3.5mm port may also be used as an optical output. Enjoy the powerful output and dual-tube sound with any device of your choice.
Mini XLR, RCA Output
- Balanced mini-XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs with circuits that minimize noise and distortion offer the best sound to the amp and external audio devices through lineout, so it can effortlessly support active speakers or desktop Head-Fi sound environments
4.4mm and Coaxial Optical Inputs
- Receive signals from various external devices via its coaxial and optical digital inputs as well as a 4.4mm analog input, so users can build their perfect audio system. Receive digital and analog signals from an external DAC, interface, and external source devices and use them with the convenient integrated CA1000T system.
USB Input, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- Supports USB-C DAC functionality. Enjoy perfect sound from both Mac and Windows PCs, as the CA1000T can play ultra-high quality sound sources.
- Supports network play such as AK Connect and Roon Ready, as well as various streaming apps through high-quality Bluetooth and Dual-Band Wi-Fi, completing a perfect all-in-one Head-Fi audio system for audiophiles.
TERATON ALPHA
- TERATON ALPHA is Astell & Kern's unique technology that has been designed to produce audio playback that is as close to the original sound through effective power noise removal, efficient power management, and a fully converted audio output interface.
Four Levels of Gain
- Supports 4 gain level settings, so almost any headphones can be driven to an optimal state.
- Create the ideal output for a device's characteristics and sound, allowing you to fine-tune and dial in your desired volume output. With up to 15 Vrms output, it can power high-impedance headphones with ease.
- The output ports' electrical capacity have been raised to add stability when operating devices with different impedances at the gain level setting, and the separate balanced and unbalanced volume controllers optimize electricity flow and reduce noise for the best sound.
Upgraded Sound: Latest ESS Flagship DAC
- Designed with dual ES9039MPRO DACs from ESS, for a vivid and voluminous sound
- The ES9039MPRO is an additional ES9039PRO model that has a built-in stereo hardware MQA renderer. It has even more advanced modulation than the existing flagship DAC to reduce power consumption, noise, and distortion inside the DAC for enhanced audio performance.
- Astell & Kern invented and optimized a new design of amp block to heighten the performance of the ES9039MPRO, allowing it to offer more balanced sounds with higher intensity, deeper and richer bass, and clear highs.
Sound Design by DAC Filter
With the ACRO CA1000T, you can pick and choose from seven DAC filters to create your own EQ/style. Design your own sound with the seven DAC filters.
- Minimum phase (Default): Low latency minimal preringing and low-pass ripple wave
- Linear Phase Apodizing: Full image rejection by FS/2 to avoid any aliasing, with smooth roll-off starting before 20 kHz wave
- Linear Phase Fast Roll-Off: Most common filter with clean suppression and high rejection, best for music with high transients. Provides crisp clean highs wave
- Linear Phase Slow Roll-Off: Low group delay and symmetrical inputs response. Less ringing than Linear Phase, fast roll-off. Punchier bass than LPFR, with clean highs wave
- Minimum Phase Fast Roll-Off: Minimal preringing, preferred for imaging and soundstage. No aliasing in frequency domain. Stronger bass than Linear Phase, clean high waves
- Minimum Phase Slow Roll-Off: Nonsymmetrical filter designed to minimize preringing. Strong punchy bass with good transient attacks wave
- Minimum Phase Slow Roll-Off Low Dispersion: Provides a nice balance of the low latency of minimum phase filters and the low dispersion of Linear Phase filters. Minimal preringing is added to achieve the low dispersion in the audio
Full Balanced Circuit with Dual-Tube
- Dual Twin Triode KORG Nutube tubes, which were implemented for the first time in Astell & Kern's SP2000T, offering advanced tube sounds.
- When a product is equipped with a Dual DAC, and one vac
Astell & Kern Acro CA1000T Specs
Key Specs
Number of Headphone Channels | Single Channel |
Recommended Headphone Impedance | 32 to 600 Ohms |
Headphone Output Power | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
Analog Audio I/O | 1x RCA Stereo Input 1x RCA Stereo Output 1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm Unbalanced Headphone In or Out (Optical/Analog Combo Jack) 1x 2.5 mm Balanced Headphone Output 1x 4.4 mm Balanced Headphone Output 1x 1/4" Unbalanced Headphone Output |
Digital Audio I/O | 1x RCA Coaxial S/PDIF Input 1x TOSLINK Optical S/PDIF Input |
USB I/O | 1x USB-C 2.0 (Digital Input) 1x USB-C 2.0 (Power/Charging Input) |
Wireless | Wi-Fi / Bluetooth 5.0 |
Frequency Response | Analog Outputs: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.031 dB (Unbalanced) 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.029 dB (Balanced) 20 Hz to 70 kHz ±0.079 dB (Unbalanced) 20 Hz to 70 kHz ±0.029 dB (Balanced) RCA Line, Analog Outputs: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.033 dB 20 Hz to 70 kHz ±0.08 dB XLR Line, Analog Outputs: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.002 dB 20 Hz to 70 kHz ±0.008 dB |
Power Requirements | Battery |
Number of Headphone Channels | Single Channel |
Recommended Headphone Impedance | 32 to 600 Ohms |
Headphone Output Power | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
Digital Chipset | DAC: 2 x ESS ES9039MPRO |
Analog Circuitry | Tube: 2x Nutube 6P1 |
EQ | No |
Display | 4.1" Color Touchscreen |
Connectivity
Analog Audio I/O | 1x RCA Stereo Input 1x RCA Stereo Output 1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm Unbalanced Headphone In or Out (Optical/Analog Combo Jack) 1x 2.5 mm Balanced Headphone Output 1x 4.4 mm Balanced Headphone Output 1x 1/4" Unbalanced Headphone Output |
Digital Audio I/O | 1x RCA Coaxial S/PDIF Input 1x TOSLINK Optical S/PDIF Input |
USB I/O | 1x USB-C 2.0 (Digital Input) 1x USB-C 2.0 (Power/Charging Input) |
Wireless | Wi-Fi / Bluetooth 5.0 |
Bluetooth | 5.0 |
Bluetooth Profiles | A2DP, AVRCP |
Supported Audio Codecs | aptX HD, LDAC |
Performance
Frequency Response | Analog Outputs: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.031 dB (Unbalanced) 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.029 dB (Balanced) 20 Hz to 70 kHz ±0.079 dB (Unbalanced) 20 Hz to 70 kHz ±0.029 dB (Balanced) RCA Line, Analog Outputs: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.033 dB 20 Hz to 70 kHz ±0.08 dB XLR Line, Analog Outputs: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.002 dB 20 Hz to 70 kHz ±0.008 dB |
Maximum Output Level | Headphone Outputs: 2 Vrms (Low, Unbalanced) 4 Vrms (Low, Balanced) 4 Vrms (Mid, Unbalanced) 8 Vrms (Mid, Balanced) 6 Vrms (High, Unbalanced) 12 Vrms (High, Balanced) 8 Vrms (Super, Unbalanced) 15 Vrms (Super, Balanced) RCA Analog Outputs: 2 Vrms XLR Analog Outputs: 4 Vrms |
Impedance | 1/4" Headphone Outputs: 1 Ohm (Unbalanced) 1/8" / 3.5 mm Headphone Outputs: 1 Ohm (Unbalanced) 2.5 mm Balanced Headphone Outputs: 2 Ohms 4.4 mm Balanced Headphone Outputs: 2 Ohms Stereo RCA Analog Outputs: 4 Ohms XLR Analog Outputs: 9 Ohms |
THD+N | Headphone Outputs: 0.004% (Unbalanced, 1 kHz) Balanced Headphone Outputs: 0.002% (Balanced, 1 kHz) RCA Analog Outputs: 0.0005% (1 kHz) XLR Analog Outputs: 0.003% (1 kHz) |
SNR | Headphone Outputs: 108 dB (1 kHz, Unbalanced) 112 dB (1 kHz, Balanced) RCA Analog Outputs: 119 dB (1 kHz) XLR Analog Outputs: 128 dB (1 kHz) |
Crosstalk | Headphone Outputs: -115 dB (1 kHz) -112 dB (1 kHz) RCA Analog Outputs: -138 dB (1 kHz) XLR Analog Outputs: 145 dB (1 kHz) |
Distortion | IMD SMPTE Unbalanced: 0.0007% 800 Hz to 10 kHz (4:1) Balanced: 0.0007% 800 Hz to 10 kHz (4:1) RCA: 0.0007% 800 Hz to 10 kHz (4:1) XLR: 0.0007% 800 Hz to 10 kHz (4:1) |
Digital Audio
Sample Rates | Up to 768 kHz (PCM) 2.8 / 5.6 / 11.2 / 22.4 MHz (DSD) |
Bit Depths | 8 / 16 / 24 / 32-Bit (PCM) 1-Bit (DSD) |
Compatibility
OS Compatibility | Windows 10 to 11 macOS 10.7 or Later |
Mobile App Compatible | No |
Mobile Device Compatibility | No |
Power
Power Requirements | Battery |
Battery Type | 1x Internal Rechargeable |
Internal Battery | Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Polymer (LiPo), 10,100 mAh |
Battery Charging Time | 5 Hours |
Approximate Battery Life | 11 Hours |
Physical
Operating Temperature | 32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C |
Dimensions | 6.13 x 4.12 x 1.77" / 15.57 x 10.46 x 4.5 cm |
Weight | 34.6 oz / 980.0 g |
In the Box
- Astell & Kern ACRO CA1000T Headphone Amp and DAC, Wired, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi
- USB-C Cable
- Protective Film for Screen
- 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty
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