Astell&Kern, a global leader in high-resolution audio products and accessories, announces the PD10 Black, a new color option for the popular PD10 DAP released in May 2025. The PD10 Black will be featured at CanJam SoCal September 13 – 14, 2025 and be available at authorized Astell&Kern dealers in the US for $2,410 and worldwide for $2,200 (DAP only, no cradle is included) in late September 2025. A player only version of the PD10 Silver (without cradle) will also be available in late September.
Astell&Kern has consistently offered a diverse DAP lineup, with each product designed to highlight its unique characteristics. However, we have recognized that breaking away from traditional methods is crucial to achieving true innovation. The PD10 is Astell&Kern’s first product to break free from the constraints of the existing lineup, representing a bold new direction in product design and innovation. The PD10 instantly reflects this evolution, presenting a novel take on Astell&Kern’s iconic volume wheel design. It is designed to deliver a more intuitive and distinctive experience of 'optimal sound.'
With the release of the PD10 Black, Astell&Kern will add several new features to the PD10 that are currently only found on the flagship A&ultima SP4000 player. These added features bring the same flagship sound quality found in the SP4000 to a DAP with a unique style not found in previous Astell&Kern players.
The added features, also available on the PD10 silver via a firmware update expected in September 2025, include:
Full Android OS Integration
In response to the growing shift toward streaming-based music consumption, Astell&Kern has integrated full Android OS support, including the ability to install any app via the Google Play Store. Astell&Kern overcomes Android OS’s sampling limitation (SRC) through its proprietary customization technology, ADP (Astell&Kern Direct Path). This allows for bit-perfect, lossless playback even in streaming environments, ensuring the highest possible sound quality during music listening. This provides the PD10 with not only flagship-level audio quality but also offers enhanced convenience.
Advanced Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) Technology
First introduced with the SP4000, the PD10 now features Advanced DAR, Astell&Kern’s second-generation Digital Audio Remaster technology, delivering sound that is even more natural and refined. Rather than sending the audio file directly to the DAR engine, advanced DAR first uses VSE (Virtual Sound Extender) to virtually restore lost harmonics, enhancing the sound quality at the initial stage. Then, the advanced DAR engine performs a second-stage upsampling process with greater precision and completeness. This two-step approach allows listeners to enjoy a deeper, more immersive sound that comes closer than ever to the original recording.
4.5 Generation Graphic User Interface
An upgraded UI, first launched in the SP4000, balances both functionality and emotional experience. The main screen includes an immersive animation where an LP appears to slide in and out as you swipe through albums—turning the act of choosing music into a visually engaging and tactile experience. The interface retains Astell&Kern’s signature Crimson Theme, reflecting the brand’s identity and capturing its distinct emotional sensibility in a refined, modern design.
With Astell&Kern’s Crimson Theme, the graphics are simple and unintrusive, focusing on usability and intuitiveness. Three key concepts, Edge, Simple, and Sensibility, were used to improve usability and increase clarity with a style unique to AK. The black and red theme colors are chosen to reduce eye fatigue, maximize battery usage and reduce heat generation.
Other features of the PD10 include:
Qobuz Connect
Included in the September 2025 firmware update, the PD10 will add official support for Qobuz Connect. With Qobuz Connect, take control of your Hi-Fi music directly from a Qobuz app—no need to juggle remotes or switch between apps. Effortlessly pick up where you left off, whether you’re moving from headphones to your Hi-Fi system or managing playback between your mobile and desktop apps. Compatible with a wide range of Hi-Fi devices, Qobuz Connect gives you access to the complete Qobuz experience, including all its features and the magazine, directly on your Hi-Fi devices, all while enjoying unmatched sound quality (up to 24-bit/192 kHz). Designed for simplicity and convenience, Qobuz Connect lets you focus on what matters most: your music. Simply launch Qobuz, press play, and let the music flow, it’s that simple.
Complete Separation of Digital and Analog Signals in a HEXA-Audio Circuitry Structure
Astell&Kern equipped the PD10 with the same innovative HEXA audio circuit design first developed for the flagship SP3000. The PD10 consists of four AKM AK4498EX DACs and two separate AK4191EQ chips that handle digital signals. The PD10 is the world’s first DAP incorporating the newly released AK4498EX chip.
Most digital players process digital and analog signals together inside the DAC. However, Astell&Kern’s advanced HEXA structure reduces the noise of the digital signal input through the AK4191EQ, a separate digital delta-sigma modulator, and the AK4498EX DAC is then designed to process the analog signals separately.
By physically and perfectly separating digital and analog signal processing, the PD10 delivers an astonishing level of sound that has seldom been experienced before.
Stunning Audio Performance with Independent Dual Audio Circuits
To create not just a great DAP, but a truly innovative DAP, Astell&Kern worked to overcome the limitations of sound by designing an independent dual audio circuit for unbalanced and balanced outputs.
Almost all other DAPs use the same internal DAC for both unbalanced and balanced outputs. Since the signal from the DAC is divided into unbalanced and balanced then delivered to the AMP, an Audio Switch is essential. When using a switch, there is a limit to the range of signal sent by the DAC, so most DAPs reduce the signal size first and then when the signal is transmitted back to the amplifier, it is necessary to restore the original signal size. This causes a limitation in improving the audio performance.
By creating two separate audio circuits, one for balanced output and a second for unbalanced output, Astell&Kern maximizes audio performance no matter what output is being used.
Impedance-Adaptive Dual Amplifiers
To cater to the diverse listening environments of users, the PD10 is equipped with two distinct amplifiers. Different sound tunings have been applied to each amp, taking into consideration the average impedance of connected earphones and headphones.
The Normal Gain AMP reproduces delicate details and delivers high-purity sound, faithfully reproducing the original sound.
The High Gain AMP excels in handling complex and dynamic sounds, rendering audio signals more vividly and with greater clarity for a more immersive listening experience.
By incorporating two distinct amplifiers in a single player, users can tailor the sound based on the earphones and headphones used.
Smart Gain – Automatic Amplifier Matching Mode
The moment a headphone or earphone is connected to the PD10, the player instantly checks the impedance of the connected device and automatically sets the appropriate AMP.
Regardless of which earphones or headphones are connected, the PD10 automatically distinguishes between low and high impedance and matches it with the optimal AMP, without the user having to worry about manually changing settings to find the optimal match.
Earphones with an impedance of 32ohm or less are set to Normal Gain, providing a maximum output of 5.5Vrms when connected to the balanced output, and earphones greater than 32ohm are set to High Gain, providing ample output of up to 8.3Vrms for balanced out.
The Smart Gain function optimizes amplifier matching, providing audio enthusiasts who own a wide variety of headphones and earphones with a unique and refined listening experience.
The player includes 256GB of internal memory with support for microSD cards up to 2TB, dual-band 2.4/5Ghz a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, DLNA networking, USB digital audio output, USB-C for data transfer and charging, and the ability to use the PD10 as an external DAC via Bluetooth or a direct USB connection to a Mac or Windows-based PC. A 6-inch Full HD (1080x2160) touch screen provides a high-resolution display. The PD10 supports native playback of high-res PCM music up to 32-bit, 768kHz and DSD512. A LED ring around the power button provides information on the bit-rate of the currently playing track.
ReplayGain automatically and uniformly adjusts playback volume across different music tracks. Using AK File Drop, you can freely transfer files wirelessly through a PC, smartphone, or FTP program located on the same network. Music file management is now possible with a cableless, wireless solution. Airplay support allows users to share music and provide direct control from Apple devices.
The PD10 includes support for aptX HD, LHDC and LDAC™ codecs to provide audiophiles with multiple options for 24-bit audio playback wirelessly. Bluetooth 5.3 features faster transmission speed and greater range compared to previous Bluetooth versions, therefore providing a more stable wireless connection. BT Sink allows the PD10 to connect to an external device via Bluetooth, and functions as a Bluetooth DAC. Music from an external device, such as a smartphone can now be played back in high-quality, taking full advantage of the advanced audio innovations found in the PD10.
Power Delivery 3.0 (PD 3.0) support allows you to charge your DAP faster and more efficiently than previous models, reaching a full charge in about 3.5 hours. Equipped with a 5,770mAh high-capacity battery, the PD10 enables up to 15 hours of continuous playback with its optimized circuit configuration. Although the screen is larger and the performance is upgraded, users can enjoy music without worrying about battery life with extended playback time.
In a headphone environment in which the left and right channels are clearly separated, ear fatigue may increase during prolonged listening. The Crossfeed setting in the PD10 mixes parts of the original signal from one channel and sends that signal to the opposite channel with a time difference to center the sound image. This effect provides the headphone user with a sound profile similar to listening to the same music track in a room with full-sized speakers. Using detailed settings such as Shelf Cutoff, Shelf Gain, and Mixer Level, you can set the level of crossfeed according to your listening preferences.
The PD10 is Roon Ready certified.
As with all Astell&Kern products, design is just as crucial as sound quality in the overall experience. The design concept of the PD10 is 'Contrast Cube.' The harmony of Stainless Steel and Glass materials in the body creates a simple yet rich image through light reflection. Designed for easy one-handed operation, the intuitive button control enhances user immersion. To evoke the powerful performance of a high-output audio player, the design resembles a 'Control Tower' that focuses on the core functions of the DAP.
For the first time in an Astell&Kern DAP, the volume wheel has been replaced with buttons, creating a clean and minimalist look while using distinct material contrast to draw the user's attention to the control buttons. The PD10’s carefully crafted design and production process, which enhance the unique colors of the materials, demonstrate Astell&Kern's exceptional craftsmanship.
