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The Astell & Kern PD5 is a portable digital audio player built around eight Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs, with a choice of Quad-DAC or Octa-DAC playback. Its headline battery figure—up to 28 hours—applies only to a specific Quad-DAC test condition, not to every use. The player also has 64GB of internal storage, a microSD slot, and both 3.5mm unbalanced and 4.4mm balanced headphone outputs.
What is the Astell & Kern PD5?
The PD5 is a dedicated portable music player with a 4.1-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, and wired headphone outputs. Its aluminum body measures 69.7 × 119.7 × 16.1mm and weighs about 198g, according to Astell & Kern’s UK product specifications.
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The central feature is its switchable DAC arrangement: the player has eight Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs and can operate in Quad-DAC or Octa-DAC mode. Astell & Kern positions Quad-DAC as the more power-efficient mode; Octa-DAC engages all eight DACs. These are design and operating-mode descriptions, not independent evidence that one mode sounds better.
How long does the PD5 battery last?
Astell & Kern specifies up to 28 hours in Quad-DAC mode, but only under this stated test setup: FLAC at 16-bit/44.1kHz, volume 50, and the LCD off. This is a manufacturer figure, not an independent battery measurement. The company does not state a corresponding runtime for Octa-DAC mode, so the 28-hour figure should not be applied to it. Astell & Kern’s specifications list a 4,000mAh battery and about 2.5 hours for charging with PD 3.0.
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Which headphone outputs does it have?
The PD5 provides a 3.5mm unbalanced output and a 4.4mm balanced output. Astell & Kern specifies five-pole support for the 4.4mm connection. Its stated output levels are no-load figures, meaning they do not by themselves establish how the player will perform with a particular headphone.
| Mode | 3.5mm unbalanced | 4.4mm balanced |
|---|---|---|
| Quad-DAC | 3Vrms, no load (Astell & Kern specification) | 6Vrms, no load (Astell & Kern specification) |
| Octa-DAC | 4Vrms, no load (Astell & Kern specification) | 8Vrms, no load (Astell & Kern specification) |
Check your headphone’s plug before buying: a 3.5mm plug uses the unbalanced output, while a compatible 4.4mm balanced cable is needed for the balanced jack. Output figures alone do not guarantee compatibility or establish real-world loudness, sound quality, or suitability for every headphone.
Rank #2
- An emotional retro redesign with new LED Indicator and GUI. A true high-resolution music player, bit-to-bit playback up to 32bit/384kHz and Native DSD (DSD256)
- Dual AKM AK4492ECB DAC chips and quad-core CPU for outstanding response and performance
- Intuitive user interface and 4.1 inch display touchscreen to create the best viewing experience
- 128GB of internal memory and 1 microSD card slot (up to 1TB card support); USB Type-C support for charging and data transfer; up to 8.5 hours of music playback
- WiFi and Bluetooth aptX HD for wireless streaming including Open App Streaming for online/offline on select apps such as Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc.
How much storage does the PD5 have?
The player includes 64GB of internal storage and one microSD slot rated for cards up to 1.5TB, according to Astell & Kern. A microSD card is not listed among the included items. If you plan to carry a large local music library, confirm card compatibility before purchasing a card.
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Astell & Kern lists support for WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, and DSF. Its specifications list PCM playback up to 384kHz and native DSD playback up to DSD256.
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- Astell&Kern AK Jr 64GB Hi-Resolution Music Player and DAC - Micro USB Cable - Set of Screen Protectors - Astell&Kern 1 Year Limited Warranty
- Limited edition collaboration with K-Pop group Super Junior. Comes pre-loaded with 20 high resolution Super Junior songs!
- Supported Audio Formats: WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE(Normal, High, Fast), AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF
- Body Material: Aluminum
- Display: 3.1" WQVGA (240 x 400) Touchscreen
Wireless specifications include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac on 2.4GHz and 5GHz, plus Bluetooth 5.3. Listed Bluetooth codecs are aptX HD, LDAC, LHDC, SBC, and AAC. The product page also names Roon Ready and Qobuz Connect.
Those details do not confirm that every third-party streaming app is available on the PD5 in every region. A launch report from What Hi-Fi? dated 4 August 2026 described some service compatibility as uncertain at launch and treated examples such as Tidal, Amazon Music, and Apple Music as assumptions rather than confirmed support. Check the current app availability for your region before buying if a particular streaming service is essential.
Rank #4
- Astell&Kern AK500N Network Media Player, AK T5P Beyerdynamics Special Limited Editon Headphones, ProStudio Optical/Coaxial Audio Connection Kit
- The AK500N is the first desktop network audio product from Astell&Kern that truly combines advanced digital technology with analog sound. The AK500N is the culmination of the experience and know-how accumulated from work on the AK series including the AK240. One-click CD-ripping and perfect noise isolation through battery-only operation. PCM to DSD conversion faithful to the original sound and excellent compatibility with a wide range of devices. Easy DLNA-based networking and high-reliability SSD.
- Although the AK500N is desktop audio device, it was designed to use a built-in battery for noise isolation. The AK500N physically blocks noise generated in the AC power supply to prevent sound degradation at all levels. Music playback on the AK500N is achieved with battery-only operation, creating a truly Pure Sound. The SMPS (Switched Mode Power Supply) employed in the AK500N is an outstanding device with a Level 5 efficiency rating. The noise-sensitive power ripple noise* is below 50mVp-p at full load (5A).
- The AK500N features a dedicated DSD chipset for DSD playback and converts PCM file to DSD64 data through audio engine of Astell&Kern. The AK500N converts high-resolution 32 bit/384 kHz WAV PCM and 24 bit/352 kHz FLAC PCM file to DSD64 data without any down-sampling. In Addition, real time PCM file to DSD64 data playback available.
- The AK500N features multi-level cell (MLC) SSD rather than a triple-level cell (TLC) SSD for increased durability and reliability. The vibration noise generated by conventional HDDs has been eliminated completely. Save and load large amounts of data even faster than traditional HDDs through the superior speed and stability of SSDs.
What comes in the box?
Astell & Kern lists a USB-C-to-USB-C cable, TPU case, three screen protectors, quick start guide, and warranty card as included items. The company also lists a separate PD5 Case; that optional accessory is distinct from the TPU case included with the player. The official specifications do not list a microSD card as an included item.
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The Astell & Kern UK storefront displayed a price of £899 and marked the PD5 “Sold out” when checked on 7 October 2026. That is a UK listing observed on that date, not a global price or a guarantee of current availability. Check the manufacturer’s product page or an authorized local retailer for the price, stock, and warranty terms in your market.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Professional High-Resolution Audio Player】This digital music player features advanced FPGA, DAC chip, and DSD decoding technology, delivering native hardware DSD256 decoding, impressive SNR of up to 120dB, and ultra-low THD +N at just 0.0005% @ 1kHz, ensuring an exceptional audiophile-grade sound experience!
- 【Perfect Lossless Audio】Our HiFi music player boasts advanced ESS Sabre ESS9038Q2M DAC chip, ensuring crystal-clear, lossless audio playback. With a maximum sampling rate of 32-bit/384 kHz, experience unprecedented music quality, supporting all major lossless music formats: FLAC, WAV, WMA, M4A, MP3, and more.
- 【4.4mm/3.5mm Outputs】F35 hi res music player with independent amplification channels, with single-ended 3.5mm, balanced 4.4mm, and 1Vpp coaxial type-C outputs, delivering powerful amplification, wider soundstage, and exquisite detail. The unique ALPS scroll control wheel enables smooth operation, ensuring you get the best listening experience.
- 【Humanized Design】This Bluetooth high resolution MP3 player features a 4.0-inch TFT touch screen (480*800), an integrated aluminum body, and a 5-axis CNC technology alloy chassis, providing a comfortable grip and touch, not to mention durable protection for prolonged durability, offering a rich and premium feel!
- 【Bi-Directional Bluetooth】Upgraded bi-directional 4.2 Bluetooth functionality transforms this Bluetooth MP3 player into a versatile audio hub. It can serve as both a Bluetooth audio source and a professional Bluetooth decoding amplifier. Supports AAC, SBC, and other high-quality lossless transmissions, allowing you to enjoy true HiFi music while running, exercising, or driving!
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
