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2016 Editors’ Choice: Portable Music Players

2016 Editors’ Choice: Portable Music Players

Astell&Kern AK Jr
$500
Unlike many portable players that include a balanced headphone output and claim to be able to drive every transducer that anyone has ever placed on his head, the Astell & Kern AK Jr is designed to power reasonably efficient headphones. Couple it with one of the many headphone options available in the $300 to $500 range, and for under $1000 you too can have a wonderful portable rig that delivers superb fidelity and simply slides in your pocket without any unsightly bulges. Indeed, the only things that are really junior about the AK Jr are is its size and its price.

2016 Editors’ Choice: Portable Music Players

Astell&Kern AK100 Mk II and AK120 Mk II
$899/$1799
These slick, high-resolution players were hard to fault in their Mk I versions. Both models brought true high-end sensibility and performance to portable music—a liberating development. Once you have held high-res in your hands, you will never settle for less. As good as the AK100 was, the dual-DAC AK120 was even better in purity, air, and bass. The Mk II versions, though more expensive than their predecessors, outdo both in every way. Each supports streaming audio from a PC, as well as DSD playback. And each has exchanged its Wolfson DACs for Cirrus Logic units. The swap yields a significantly quieter background with even greater purity and resolution.


2016 Editors’ Choice: Portable Music Players

Questyle QP1R
$899
With its impeccable sound quality, flexible storage, and ability to drive a wide variety of headphones, the Questyle QP1R ranks among the best portable players I’ve heard. The Questyle Qp1R’s shortcomings are that it is only a portable player. It is not a portable USB DAC or USB-to-SPDIF convertor. If you require more functionality, there are many other options, but if your primary requirement is for excellent sound in a robust and well-designed portable player, the Questyle QP1R should be at the top of your audition list.

2016 Editors’ Choice: Portable Music Players                 

Sony NW-ZX2 Music Player
$1199
Sony, which created the first “Walkman” portable player, has been involved with portable audio since its inception, but lately has not been the dominant player it was in the early days. This could change with the NW-ZX2. This Android-based player can reproduce any commercially available music file including DSD128; plus, it also plays videos from uTube, Hulu, and Facebook. If you had any doubts about Sony’s commitment to high-quality audio, the NW-ZX2 will put them to rest. It delivers excellent sound, and looks, feels, and responds like a high-performance product should.
2016 Editors’ Choice: Portable Music Players

Astell&Kern AK240
$2499
Currently the AK240 ranks as the most expensive portable player on the market. But if you purchase one and lose it, you will have at least 2500 reasons to feel very, very sad because right now the Astell&Kern AK240 is also the best-sounding, most fully featured portable player currently available. Not just a player, it is also a USB DAC and WiFi and Bluetooth streaming device. And unlike most streaming via Bluetooth, which goes from your smartphone or player to your home music system, the AK240 also streams from your home computer’s music library to the AK240.


2016 Editors’ Choice: Portable Music Players

Astell&Kern AK380
$3499
With the AK380, A&K has created a flagship that transcends the genre of audiophile-quality portable players. To be sure, the device delivers superb sound—the best AT has heard from a portable player—via its duel AKM DACs with 384/32 PCM and native DSD support. Additionally, through a set of optional dock and peripheral offerings, the AK380 can rightfully serve as the digital front end to any hi-fi system. When fully accessorized, the fully balanced AK380 can rip CDs, wirelessly stream music from a DLNA NAS drive, and send the analog output of its formidable DACs through XLR connections. Replete with ample storage, a large bright display, and stunning sound, the AK380 is the portable player to beat. 


2016 Editors’ Choice: Portable Music Players

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