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.
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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
I never expected such transparency and spacious soundstage from an IEM.
Simply the best "portable" headphones. Pity it was discontinued.
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FiiO FT1 PRO Over-Ear Wired Headphones
Lielisks pastiprinātājs! Lietoju viņu kopā ar austiņām "HifiMan Sundara" caur balancētu izeju.
Отличный фонокоректор порадовал звуком!
PremiumHIFI отличный магазин,отличный сервис!👍👍👍👍👍
REL Tzero MKIII Subwoofer
Decent device for the money!I am very satisfied with the purchase!Thanks to the PremiumHIFI store!
Отличный настольный ЦАП от FiiO..
Обслуживание на высшем уровне..
Магазину и Аркадию респект!..
Заказал здесь Wiim mini. Пришло за 2 дня. Проигрыватель очень понравился, выдаёт очень хороший звук и хорошую сцену (подключаю к ресиверу через оптический кабель, поэтому звук обрабатывает цап ресивера). Также стоит очень дёшево. Не понравилось только то, что многовато высоких частот (но уже привык или пропали). Рекомендую к покупке.
Ļoti labi cenai atbilstoši skaļruņi. Kad secināju ka manā set up vājš posms varētu būt tieši skaļruņi nomainot tos neesu kļudījies ne pārtērējies. Ar tiem kas klausās mūziku kurā basi nedominē varbūt iztiks bez sabvūfera. Un ja pārdomāšu savu stereo varēšu no Klipsh skaļruņiem būvēt Dolby Atmos, Spatial mājas kino! Un šīs vara krāsas skaļruņi!
The device is good quality and it sounds really great. But it has two issues.
You cannot switch between L/R channels. It lowers both channels volume. The issue is mentioned on FiiO website.
It has LineOut function, where device is playing on max volume and you can use your computer volume bar, but it is so loud that even on the lowest set it is screaming, so you have to choose another option and adjust volume on FiiO device instead.
I wish I knew it before buying.
.
Great product, excellent service - got it in 2 days after ordering to Lithuania. Thanks guys!