”Thanks to its refined, articulate sound and impressive versatility, the PD5 is another class-leading hi-res music player from Astell & Kern.” ’What Hi-Fi?’ – 5 Star review.

The start of something big – made compact
Compact and stylish yet big on performance, the Astell&Kern PD5 reshapes Hi-Res audio player expectations. Switchable between Quad and Octa DACs, you can choose between optimal battery life and audio performance. EnvironTune features a built-in mic to measure background noise and adjust the output to suit – without having to raise the volume. Lightweight, tactile and with a clear display, it brings ergonomic excellence to scintillating high-resolution audio.

Octa-DAC for uncompromised sound
Powered by no fewer than eight CS43198 DACs, the PD5 achieves exceptional separation and expansive dynamics. Unveiling the finest, most subtle nuances of musical detail, the player brings audio performances to life in a way that smartphones can’t hope to match. With up to 8Vrms output from its amp combo, it effortlessly drives any portable headphones.

Switchable DAC
For times when the ultimate sound quality isn’t necessary, perhaps when you’re simply listening to a podcast or background music, the PD5 is switchable to Quad-DAC mode. This still delivers a smooth and natural sound but with greatly increased efficiency, improving the battery life by around 85% compared with Octa-DAC mode. At up to 6Vrms the power output remains ample for most headphones.

Smart sound via EnviroTune
Featuring a built-in microphone, EnviroTune* is an intelligent sound-tuning technology that analyses the surroundings and adjusts the output to compensate for background noise, in real time. This ensures that you get to hear optimal detail and clarity, without having to constantly raise and lower the volume control.

*EnviroTune is supported on PCM audio up to 24-bit/192kHz.

Built to travel – up to 28 hours battery life
Offering up to 28 hours battery life (in Quad-DAC mode), the PD5 is equipped to tackle the longest journeys. Weighing around 200 grammes, and pocket-friendly, it’s also light and easy to carry. The case is made from a soft, flexible material that provides excellent grip. All the controls fall easily to hand, and the 4.1” colour touchscreen is easy to read, making this a joy to use on the move.

ESA and DAR for optimal sound
ESA (Enhanced Signal Alignment) reduces group delay by synchronising frequencies. This improves the timing and clarity for a more involving listening experience. Advanced DAR (Digital Audio Remaster) restores lost harmonics and upscales the sound, delivering a richer listening experience, especially with lower quality audio files.

TERATON ALPHA – A&K’s ultimate sound solution
The result of tens of thousands of hours of research and featuring A&K’s patented technologies, the Teraton Alpha Ultimate Sound Solution circuit is at the heart of this player. By using highly efficient power management with effective power noise removal it helps produce the lowest levels of distortion while maintaining a powerful, dynamic sound.

Support for balanced and single-ended outputs
For the best sound with both balanced and single-ended headphone connections, the PD5 features sockets for both. Each output has optimised amplification, with the 4.4mm balanced output delivering 6Vrms/8Vrms (Quad/Octa-DAC) and the 3.5mm single-ended output offering 3Vrms/4Vrms (Quad/Octa-DAC).

Streaming support, including Roon Ready and Qobuz Connect
Stream music from the built-in storage or connect via dual-band wi-fi or Bluetooth and integrate with other music playback devices using the BT sink function, which pairs with your music device and wirelessly streams music. Qobuz Connect streams music directly from the Qobuz app, giving you simple access to its CD/lossless and Hi-Res quality music files at up to 24-bit/192kHz. For system versatility, the PD5 is also compatible with Roon Ready systems.

Store it all - 64GB internal memory and supports up to 1.5TB
With 64GB of internal memory, the PD5 stores about 625 tracks (24 bit/96kHz, 4 minute-long, 90MB) songs on its flash memory. With the addition of a microSD card, this can be increased by up to a massive 1.5TB – enough for a lifetime’s collection of music.

Supplied with tactile case
Tailored specifically for the PD5, the supplied case blends protection with a high-grip, tactile feel. Made from premium TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane), the flexible material provides a snug, seamless fit. The transparent case preserves the style of the aluminium-bodied player, while providing protection and superior grip. A special UV stabiliser is applied to the case to prevent discolouration over time.

Make accessing top quality sound on the move easier than ever, with the Astell&Kern PD5.