Astell&Kern AK HB1 Portable DAC & Headphone Amplifier
Astell&Kern AK HB1 Portable DAC & Headphone Amplifier
🚚 Delivery in 1-4 days in the Baltics. 2-8 days EU
💰 14 days return
🔒 Secure payment: PayPal, 💳card, invoice
🛡️Shipping insurance
🟢 2 years warranty
🧱 Installation service
💲Seen a better price? Let us know and we'll match it.
Out of stock
Shipping Terms
Shipping Terms
- Shipping method: Standard
Shipment cost: - EU 25€
- LT, EST 6€
- LV 3€
- RU, USA 200€
- Other countries 200€
- Dispatched usually 2 - 5 business days after order placement
- Some times, dispatched up to 20 business days, we will inform additional, after order placement.
🟠 Taxes 🟠
🟠 Taxes 🟠
Prices include VAT for EU countries. For non-EU countries, prices are shown without tax. Additional customs duties may apply. Please check with your local customs office for details.
🧾 Overview
The Astell&Kern AK HB1 is a premium portable DAC and headphone amplifier that bridges wired and wireless worlds with true audiophile precision. Combining the ESS ES9281AC PRO DAC with a high-performance Qualcomm CSR8675 Bluetooth chipset, it supports both LDAC and aptX™ HD for Hi-Res playback over Bluetooth — or pristine 32-bit/384 kHz wired performance via USB-C. Compact, elegant, and built for pure sound on the go.
✅ Key Features
- ✅ ESS ES9281AC PRO DAC with native DSD256 and PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz
- ✅ Qualcomm CSR8675 Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC, aptX™ HD, aptX™, AAC, and SBC codecs
- ✅ Dual outputs: 3.5 mm unbalanced (CTIA compatible) and 4.4 mm balanced
- ✅ 2 Vrms (SE) / 4 Vrms (balanced) output power with ultra-low noise floor
- ✅ USB-DAC mode supports UAC 1.0 / 2.0 for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows
- ✅ OTA firmware updates via Astell&Kern app for future improvements
- ✅ 600 mAh battery providing ≈ 6 hours of playback (1.5 h charging time)
- ✅ Premium build: polycarbonate body with aluminum volume wheel, 40 g total weight
📊 Technical Specifications ▼
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | AK HB1 |
| Body Material / Colour | Polycarbonate + Aluminum / Shadow Black |
| Bluetooth Chipset | Qualcomm CSR8675 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Supported Codecs | LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC |
| Profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP |
| DAC | ESS ES9281AC PRO |
| Sample Rates | PCM 8 – 384 kHz (8/16/24/32-bit) • DSD 64/128/256 (Native) |
| Output Level | Unbalanced 2 Vrms • Balanced 4 Vrms (no load) |
| Inputs | USB-C (supports UAC 1.0 & UAC 2.0) |
| Outputs | 3.5 mm (CTIA 4-pole) • 4.4 mm (5-pole balanced) |
| Frequency Response | ±0.135 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz, SE) • ±0.136 dB (Bal) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 117 dB (SE) • 118 dB (Bal) @ 1 kHz |
| Crosstalk | −112 dB (SE) • −112 dB (Bal) @ 1 kHz |
| THD + N | 0.0005 % @ 1 kHz (SE / Bal) |
| IMD SMPTE | 0.0003 % @ 800 Hz / 10 kHz (4:1) |
| Output Impedance | 3.5 mm 0.8 Ω • Balanced (2.5/4.4 mm) 1.8 Ω |
| Battery | 600 mAh 3.8 V Li-Polymer |
| Playback / Charging Time | ≈ 6 h (AAC) • ≈ 1.5 h charging |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 33 × 68.4 × 16.5 mm (excl. wheel) • 39.8 × 68.4 × 16.5 mm (incl.) |
| Weight | ≈ 40 g |
| Firmware | OTA updates via A&K App |
| Country of Origin | South Korea 🇰🇷 |
📦 What’s in the Box
- 📦 Astell&Kern AK HB1 Wireless & Wired DAC
- 🔌 USB-C → Lightning Cable
- 🔌 USB-C → USB-C Cable
- 📖 Quick start guide
- 🧾 Warranty card
🔄 Compatibility
✔ Works with iOS, Android, Windows & macOS devices via USB-C or Lightning.
✔ Supports all Bluetooth headphones and Hi-Res codecs (LDAC / aptX HD / aptX).
✔ Compatible with 3.5 mm & 4.4 mm headphones, IEMs, and portable amps.
✔ Functions as both Bluetooth receiver and wired USB-DAC / amp.
📦✈️ Shipping & Returns
- 📦 Insured EU & worldwide delivery
- 🔄 14-day return policy
- 🛡️ 2-year EU warranty
📝 Reviews
- 🔹 Head-Fi — “AK HB1 brings flagship A&K sound to your pocket. Clean, dynamic, musical.”
- 🔹 SoundGuys — “Tiny but serious DAC with balanced output and Hi-Res Bluetooth support.”
- 🔹 What Hi-Fi — “Stylish and transparent sound quality that rivals larger desktop units.”
⚠️ Warning
⚠️ Warning: Pairing the AK HB1 with high-end IEMs may cause unexpected audio bliss, extended listening sessions, and a sudden disinterest in your phone’s built-in jack.
Let customers speak for us
🤘 Nakamichi Gold Plated Banana Speaker Plugs Hi-Fi Pro Quality Red/Black Pack of 8 💯
Super speakers, it's fullfilled my dolby atmos ! Thx !
Звучит очень ярко, и сочно.Не понравилось как звучит металл.При регуляторе громкости на 9 часов уже громко.Современная музыка и электронная звучат изумительно.Слушаю на акустике Dali.мне кажется акустика 8 ом чуствительность до 90 была бы больше в балансе.
🕺 TEAC TA-TS30UN-BW Washi Paper Turntable Sheet 🎵
Great amplifier. Highly recommended.
Excellent
Alla was correct. Delivery was ON ne t day after payment. Good!
Arrived in few days. Product is new and as described. Works and the price was the best in the region
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FiiO FH5S Black In-Ear Wired Headphones
Sound is fabulous.
I never expected such transparency and spacious soundstage from an IEM.
Simply the best "portable" headphones. Pity it was discontinued.
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