To start things off, these types of players are very expensive compared to simple $100 MP3 players and the like. There really has to be point of diminishing returns, and I think this player is it.
If you are OK with mediocre ergonomics and very good sound quality (7/10), buy something like a HiFiMan Super-Mini player. If you want very good ergonomics and even better sound quality (8/10) buy the A&K AK70. Having said that, what does another $300 get you in the A&K line? Well, you get a bigger screen, a supplied case that actually fits the player, better battery performance, and excellent sound quality (9/10). The difference between the AK70 and the AK300 can be easily heard I think. It is like the AK300 lifts a light veil off of the soundstage, detail, and overall response from Treble to Bass.
What the last month has taught me is that there IS a difference between cheap basic players and players like these. Whether a prospective buyer thinks $400 or $600 or $900 is worth the sound you get, I can't say.
However when I hear many songs that I've listened to for 40+ years on the AK300 that are a complete revelation, where I hear details that I've never noticed before, well it does not get better than that. Whether it is listening to the opening of Styx's "Come Sail Away" where I can clearly hear Dennis deYoung's right-hand melody that is just a tad louder than the left hand, or the second verse of "Hell's Bells" where you can clearly hear Brian Johnson softly chuckle to himself as he sings "then I'm sticking to the right", or finally during the instrumental end of "Hotel California" where there is a very soft rhythm guitar playing along side the dual solos, this player rocks. By the way. it's not like you can't actually hear some of these details on less expensive players, it's just that I never NOTICED them before. I can't wait to hear the other 1,500+ songs that I have yet to play on the AK300.
Similar items that may ship from close to you
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Compare with similar items
This Item  Astell&Kern AK300 Portable High-Resolution Audio Player - 64GB, Black |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $549.00 | -9% $68.00 List: $74.99 | $125.99 | $649.99 | $79.99 | $999.99 |
| Delivery | Get it May 16 - 20 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16 | — |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sound quality | ||||||
| Battery life | ||||||
| User interface | ||||||
| Sold By | ProStudio Sound & Music | Amazon.com | HIFI WALKER | All About Office | Innioasis-US | S-Waves Electronics |
| display size | 0 inches | 1.77 inches | 2 inches | 5.5 inches | 4 inches | 5.5 inches |
| memory capacity | 64 GB | 8 GB | 64 GB | 4 GB | 80 GB | 64 GB |
| supported standards | PCM, DSD | MP3 | APE,WAV,WMA,FLAC,DFF,Aiff,AAC,OGG,MP2,MP3,DSD | MP3,OGG,AAC,AIFF,WMA,APE,FLAC,ALAC,WAV | AVI | MP3 |
| connectivity tech | Bluetooth | USB | USB | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB |
| media type | CD | Micro SDXC | APE,WAV,WMA,FLAC,DFF,Aiff,AAC,OGG,MP2,MP3,DSD | SD Card, Micro SD, MP3 | Micro SD, Micro SDHC, Micro SDXC, SD Card, SDHC | — |
| model name | AK300 | NWE394B | H2 | M11Plus | mp3 player with bluetooth | m15 |
| component type | Digital Signal Processor | Battery | Memory, Battery, Display | Battery | Battery, Display, Memory, Playback Controls, Speakers | Display, Playback Controls |
| battery average life | — | 35 hours | 10 hours | 11.5 hours | 80 hours | — |
Reviews with images
A nice player for my B&O A8 and ie80
This player has a smooth treble and a well-structured sound stage. Very suitable for listening piano and other instruments.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2018
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2018
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2021
Top reviews from other countries
Dr James M Featherstone
Possibly one of the worst purchases I have made
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 13, 2017
Matt
Bigger and better sounding than the AK70 - glad I decided to ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 28, 2016