Astell&Kern PA10
Portable Class A headphone amplifier from Astell&Kern, featuring Teraton Alpha technology and gain, current and crossfeed settings to fine-tune the headphone listening experience.
Description
The PA10 is a portable headphone amplifier from Astell&Kern, the brand's first to incorporate Class A amplification. Designed to be paired with a digital audio player or source, it enriches the output signal to offer greater control and rendering on headphones, particularly with more demanding models.
The octagonal aluminium chassis houses a Class A amplification circuit combined with Teraton Alpha technology. The user can adjust the Class A current across three levels (low, medium, high) as well as the gain (low, medium, high), allowing the power reserve and sound rendering to be adapted to the impedance of the headphones in use. A crossfeed setting is also available to affect the spatialisation of the listening experience. On the balanced output, the unit delivers up to 6.2 Vrms in high gain and 3.1 Vrms in low gain, while the unbalanced output reaches 4.2 Vrms in high gain and 2.1 Vrms in low gain. Frequency response extends from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, with a signal-to-noise ratio of up to 117 dB balanced and 114 dB unbalanced depending on the gain selected.
The PA10 offers 4.4 mm balanced and 3.5 mm unbalanced connections, on both input and output, as well as support for hardware crossfeed power supplies. Battery life reaches up to 12 hours unbalanced with low gain, and around 9 hours balanced with low gain; charging takes place via a USB-C port in approximately 3 hours.
This type of portable headphone amplifier is aimed at listeners wishing to get more from their portable digital audio player, particularly with headphones or in-ear monitors that are harder to drive properly. The compact format (73 x 140 x 23.3 mm for 325 g) and the stacking system with rubber pad and elastic bands allow it to be paired directly with a player to form a transportable portable system.
Technical specifications
| Amplification | Class A |
| Adjustable gain | Low, medium, high |
| Balanced output Power (high gain) | 6.2 Vrms |
| Balanced output Power (low gain) | 3.1 Vrms |
| Unbalanced output Power (high gain) | 4.2 Vrms |
| Unbalanced output Power (low gain) | 2.1 Vrms |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Balanced signal to noise ratio (high gain) | 117 dB |
| Balanced signal to noise ratio (low gain) | 115 dB |
| Unbalanced signal to noise ratio (high gain) | 114 dB |
| Unbalanced signal to noise ratio (low gain) | 111 dB |
| Battery life (unbalanced, low gain) | 12 hours |
| Battery life (balanced, low gain) | 9 hours |
| Charging time | Approximately 3 hours |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 73 x 140 x 23.3 mm |
| Weight | 325 g |
What to check before buying used
On this type of portable headphone amplifier, the gain button and the Class A current selector are the first points to test: check for a firm click and the absence of crackling when switching between settings. Also check the actual battery life of the internal battery, which declines with the number of charge cycles, as well as the condition of the balanced and unbalanced connectors, which are particularly exposed to wear on a unit carried daily. A check of the volume dial and the aluminium chassis will also help identify any mechanical play or signs of a drop.
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