AK70

INSTRUCTION BOOK
User Guide
CONTENTS Getting Started _01
Package Contents 02
AK70 at a Glance 03
Power Management 04
Charging 05
Connections 06
Firmware Upgrade 11

Using the Device _02

Basic Operations 12
Home Screen 14
Notification Bar 15
Store 18
AK Connect 19
Listening to Music 25
Playlist Management 31
USB DAC Installation 34
How to Use USB Audio 35
CD Ripping 36
Using Bluetooth 38
Settings 40
Connecting to a Wireless Network 45
Equalizer Setup 46

Miscellaneous _03
Safety Precautions 49
Troubleshooting 50
Copyright 52
Certifications 52
Specifications 54
Registered Trademarks 55
Disclaimers 55
User Guide

Package Contents may be changed without prior notice to improve the

performance or quality of the product.
Contents

AK70

Protective Film Quick Start Guide

& Warranty Card

Micro-USB Cable microSD Card Slot Cover

Protective Film: Protect the device and its screen.

Micro-USB Cable: Connect the device to a computer or
charge the device.
Quick Start Guide: Basic overview of device functionality.
Warranty Card: The warranty card is required for customer
and technical support. Do not misplace the card.
User Guide: The User Guide can be downloaded from the
Astell&Kern website.
[http://www.astellnkern.com/ > Support > Download].
MicroSD Card Slot Cover: The cover is used to protect the
microSD card slot when not in use. It is installed on the
product by default.

Getting Started 02
User Guide

AK70 at The appearance of the product as well as the printed and

engraved information may vary depending on the model.
a Glance
Earphone Jack
Power Micro-USB Port
Balanced Audio
Pin Map
3 3 - -

Balanced
Audio Port

Previous/
Rewind
Volume
Play/Pause
Next/
Fast-Forward
LCD
microSD Touchscreen
Card Slot
Home Button

Earphones: Output sound to connected earphones.

Power: Turn the screen on and off.
Long press - Turn the device on and off.
Balanced Out: Output sound to earphones or headphones
that support balanced audio connections. Connect to an
external audio device by using both the earphone port
(ground) and balanced audio port (LR) in conjunction.
Micro-USB Port: Connect to a computer or recharge the
device. You can enjoy USB audio by connecting with a portable
USB DAC (refer to p. 35).
Expansion Unit Balanced Out: Output sound to an
expansion device that supports balanced audio connections.
Previous/Rewind: Play the previous song or restart the song.
Long press - Rewind.

Getting Started 03
User Guide

Play/Pause: Play or Pause a song.

Long press - Show the playback screen.
Next/Fast-Forward: Skip to the next song.
Long press: Fast-forward.
LCD Touchscreen: Display with touch control.
Volume: Control the volume by turning the wheel.
microSD Card Slot: Insert a microSD card and access its files.
Home Button: Show the home screen.

Power Turn On/Off

Manage- 1. Long-press the [ ] button to turn on the device.

ment 2. While the device is on, long-press the [

display a shutdown confirmation message.
] button to

3. Press [Confirm] to turn off the device.

This device has an automatic shutdown feature to reduce battery

consumption. The device will turn off after a defined period if there
is no user input. [ - Power Saving - Automatic Shutdown] (See p.
43)

Turn the Screen On/Off

1. While the screen is on, press the [ ] button to turn

off the screen.
2. Press the [ ] button again to turn off the screen.

This device has an automatic timeout feature to reduce battery

consumption. The screen will turn off after a defined period of time
if there is no user input. [ - Power Saving - Screen Timeout] (See
p. 43)

Getting Started 04
User Guide

Reset Function

1. In cases of unexpected device failure or freeze, press the

[ ] button for 12 seconds to force a shutdown. The
device can be restarted after a shutdown.
The device can be restarted after a shutdown.

Resetting the device will not affect the stored data or time setting.
Do not use the reset function while the product is in use. Doing so
may corrupt the data on the device.

Charging Charging using PC

1. Connect the device to the PC using the supplied Micro USB

cable. Charging starts.

Charging time: up to 8 hours (fully discharge, power OFF)

You may have to turn on a computer to start charging depending on
computer specifications.
When charging via PC connection, the charging time may vary
depending on whether the device is turned on or off.
If a computer goes into standby/sleep mode, the device may not be
charged depending on computer specifications.
The built-in battery will gradually lose capacity over time according
to the number of charges/discharges.
Do not use any micro-USB cable other than the one supplied with
the device. Doing so may cause a malfunction.

Charging using the adapter

1. Charging is possible by using the 5V 2A output adapter

(sold separately).

Charging time: up to 4 hours (fully discharge, power OFF)

When using a high-speed charger that is supported with various
voltages such as 5V/9V/12V, the charging may not proceed normally
and it may cause the product to malfunction.

Getting Started 05
User Guide

Connec- Earphones/Headphones

tions 1. Connect earphones or headphones to the earphones port.

OR

Balanced Earphones/Headphones

1. Connect supported earphones or headphones to the

balanced port.

OR

Balanced Audio Device

1. Connect to an external audio device by using the Earphones

port and Balanced port in conjunction.

Earphones Port Balanced Port (LR)

(Ground)

Astell & Kern balanced cable (PEF12, PEF21) is not supported.

Getting Started 06
User Guide

Connecting to a Computer

1. Turn on the device and your PC.

2. Connect the device to your PC as a standard USB device
by using a micro-USB cable. [ - Connect USB]
Media Device (USB Drive): Transfer files from a PC to
the device.
DAC input: Listen to music located on a PC through the
device. (See p. 34)

Mac users need to download and install the MTP program from the
Astell&Kern website. [http://www.astellnkern.com Support >
Download]
For an optimal connection, quit any unnecessary programs before
connecting the device to the computer.
Only use the micro-USB cable supplied with the device. Doing so
may cause a malfunction.
Windows XP users require Service Pack 2 and Windows Media
Player 10 to be installed for the computer to recognize the USB
device.
Download necessary Service Packs and Windows Media Player from
the Microsoft website. http://www.microsoft.com

Disconnecting from the Computer

1. Verify that all operations are completed before attempting

to disconnect the device from the computer.

Disconnecting the device from the computer during an operation

(e.g. file transfer) may corrupt data on the device.

Getting Started 07
User Guide

Copy Files/Folders to the Device

1. To copy files/folders from your computer, select the desired

files/folders and drag & drop them into the USB device.

Make sure that the micro-USB cable is securely connected.

Note that removing the micro-USB cable or turning off the device or
computer during a file transfer may corrupt data on the device.
File transfer speeds may be affected depending on the computer
and/or OS environment.

Getting Started 08
User Guide

Delete Files/Folders on the Device

1. Right-click the desired file/folder, and then select [Delete].

2. Select [Yes] in the [Confirm File/Folder Deletion] window
to delete the selected file/folder.

Insert/Remove a microSD Card

1. Refer to the diagram and

gently insert a microSD
card into the microSD
card slot.
2. To safely remove a microSD
card, select [Safely remove
SD card] from the Notification
Bar or select [Unmount SD card]
from [ - System Information].
3. Gently press the microSD card
to release it from the slot.

Getting Started 09
User Guide

Recommended microSD Cards

Brand : SanDisk, Transcend

Maximum supported microSD card capacity: 128GB

Notes on inserting 128GB microSD card.
Do not force the microSD card into the slot. Doing so may cause
damage to the device and/or microSD card.
Do not repeatedly insert/remove the microSD card.
If the microSD card is improperly inserted, it may become immovable
or cause damage to the device.
Notes on removing a microSD card
Be sure to safely unmount and remove the microSD card from the
device. Not following the proper procedure may corrupt data and
cause serious damage to the system.
Do not remove the microSD card while it is in use. Doing so may
cause data corruption/deletion, malfunction, and damage to the
microSD card.
Miscellaneous
If the device is unable to recognize the microSD card and/or
malfunctions, format the memory card before use. We recommend
using the FAT32 format.
Using microSD cards other than the recommended brands may
cause device malfunction.
A microSD card is not included with this device. Please purchase
separately.

Getting Started 10
User Guide

Firmware Wi-Fi Update / OTA (Over-the-Air)

Upgrade 1. Connect to a wireless network.

2. When a new firmware version is available, the screen will
display a Firmware Update Guide window.
3. Select [Update] and choose the items for update.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions and proceed with the
firmware upgrade.

Refer to page 45 of the manual for more information on connecting

to a wireless network.
The firmware upgrade may not initialize if the battery level is too
low. (A minimum battery level of 50% is required.)
Moving to another screen during a file download will cancel the
download.
Do not disconnect from the wireless network while downloading a
firmware upgrade. Doing so may cause data corruption and/or
damage to the system.
If an error occurs or the notice in the Notification Bar disappears
during an upgrade, download the firmware update again through
[ - Update - System Update].

Getting Started 11
User Guide

Basic LCD Touchscreen

Operations 1. This device features an LCD touchscreen that allows you

to perform operations by touch.
Interact with the device by touching the screen to access
various features.

To prevent damage, do not use a sharp object or use excessive force

when touching the screen.

Return to the Home Screen

1. Press the [Home] button at any time to return to the

Home Screen.

Home Screen

Using the Device 12

User Guide

Moving a list in the home screen

1. You can move the list by dragging

the home screen [up] / [down].

Navigating Up/Down in a List

1. Scroll through the list by dragging

the list screen [up] and [down].

Using the Device 13

User Guide

Home
Screen 1

1 AK CONNECT Launches AK Connect.

2 Current Song Currently playing song information.

3 Search Options View the list of songs by different

search options.

The search options can be long-pressed and dragged to change

their locations.

Using the Device 14

User Guide

Notification 1
Bar 9
10
2 11

3 12
4 13
5 14
6 15
7
16
8

Using the Device 15

User Guide

1 Notification Bar Expand or collapse the

notification bar by dragging the
bar down or up, respectively.

2 Wi-Fi Press [ ] to turn Wi-Fi on

or off.

3 Bluetooth Press [ ] to turn Bluetooth

on or off.

4 EQ Press [ ] to turn the EQ

on or off. The most recent EQ
settings are applied by default.

5 Gapless Press [ ] to turn Gapless

Playback Playback on or off.

6 Line Out Turn Line Out on or off.

7 Wi-Fi Speakers Turn Wi-Fi speakers on or off.

(Must be on the same network.)
(The icon will become enabled
when AK Connect is turned on.)

8 Notifications Notification contents are

Display displayed in this area.

9 File Search Enter keywords to display a

list of items containing the
search terms.

10 Settings Displays a list of settings.

Using the Device 16

User Guide

11 PC Connection Select the appropriate mode

Mode when connected to a computer.
%*4, :USB drive mode for
transferring media files.
:Listen to music located on
a PC through the device.
12 Screen Lock Press [ ] to turn the screen lock
on or off. The volume wheel is disabled
when the screen lock icon is activated.
13 Play Mode Press [ ] to cycle through
different play modes.
:Sequential playback.
:Shuffle playback.
14 Repeat Mode Press [ ] to cycle through
different Repeat modes.
:Repeat the entire playlist.
:Repeat the current song.
:Disable repeat.
15 USB Audio Please turn on or off USB audio
output after connecting the device
with the portable USB DAC
(refer to p. 35).
Ripper Power Turn the CD Ripper on or off.
(Enabled when connected to
the AK CD Ripper.)
16 Screen Use the adjustment bar to
Brightness control the display brightness.

Long-press [ / / / / ] to move to the corresponding

screen.

Using the Device 17

User Guide

Purchasing Conveniently purchase music from the Store when

connected to a wireless network.
Music from
a Store
Purchasing Music

1. Connect to a wireless network.

2. Select [Store] from the home screen.
3. Select the desired store.
4. Check the user guide or help menu within each store for
detailed information.

Refer to page 45 of the manual for more information on connecting

to a wireless network.

Using the Device 18

User Guide

AK The AK70 can access and play back music files stored on
a computer on the same network as well as output sound
CONNECT through Astell&Kern speakers.

MQS Streaming Server Installation

1. Visit the Astell&Kern website and download the server

installer that corresponds to your operating system.
[http://www.astellnkern.com > Support > Download].
2. Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen
instructions.
3. Check the User Guide within the program for detailed
information on using the MQS Streaming Server.

System Requirements
PC Minimum System Requirements
OS : Windows XP, Windows 7/8/10 (32 & 64-bit)
Mac Minimum System Requirements
OS X 10.7 (Lion) or later

Connecting to the AK Connect Server

1. Turn on the server and connect to

the same network as the AK70.
Run the MQS Streaming Server
on your computer.
2. Turn on [AK Connect] from the
device settings.
3. Press [AK Connect] from the home
screen.

Using the Device 19

User Guide

4. A list of servers on the same

network as the AK70 will be
displayed.

5. Scroll the screen left and right to

select a server. The selected server
will be connected and the server
home screen will be displayed.

6. Select a search option at the

bottom of the server home screen
to display a list of music.

Refer to page 45 of the manual for more information on connecting

to a wireless network.

Using the Device 20

User Guide

Streaming and Downloading from the Music Server

1. Select a search option from the

server Home Screen to display
a list of music.
2. Select a song to begin streaming.

3. Press the [ ] button at the

upper-right corner of the music list.
4. Select the desired music, and then
press the [ ] button at the top of
the screen to begin downloading.
A message on the Notification
Bar will indicate a completed
download.

Depending on network conditions, song loading may be slow or

streaming may stutter.
Server response may be slow when the server computer is under
load.
If you do streaming and download at the same time, it may slow
down the device’s response time depending on the speed of Wi-Fi
network or server.
Terminating music streaming or pressing the item being
downloaded within the Notification Bar will stop the downloading.

Using the Device 21

User Guide

Selecting Speakers

1. Turn on the speaker(s) to be

connected, and then connect it to
the same network as the AK70.
2. Turn on [AK Connect] from the
device settings.
3. Press [ ] from the notification
bar to display a list of speakers
available on the same network
as the AK70.
4. Scroll the screen left and right to
select a speaker. The selected
speaker will be connected, and
music will be played back through
the speaker.

AK Connect Usage Examples

Example 1

AK70 AK T1
LIBRARY SPEAKER

Using the Device 22

User Guide

Example 2

AK500N AK70 AK T1

LIBRARY REMOTE SPEAKER

Example 3

AK70 AK500N

REMOTE & LIBRARY SPEAKER

Using the Device 23

User Guide

Example 4

AK70 AK500N AK T1

LIBRARY REMOTE SPEAKER

Example 5

AK70

LIBRARY

or
AK Connect APP

REMOTE

AK T1

SPEAKER

AK500N

LIBRARY

Using the Device 24

User Guide

Listening Selecting Music

to Music 1. Select a search option at the bottom of the home screen

to display the playlist.
2. Select a song from the list to begin playback.

Select [Folder] to search music by folder.

Continuous Playback: Approximately 10 hours (Basis: FLAC, 16-bit,
44 kHz, unbalanced output, volume 80, EQ off, LCD off)
Supported Formats: PCM [8~192kHz(8/16/24bit)], DSD 64/128

Listening to Music

Press [ ] at the top of the music list to display music

options.
: Add the selected file after the current/last song of
the current playlist.
: Add the selected file to the playlist.
: Copy the selected file.
: Move the selected file.
: Delete the selected file.
Select an album cover from the home screen to begin
playback.
Turn the [Volume Wheel] to adjust the volume.
Press [ ] during playback to pause and [ ] to resume
playback.
You can also pause/resume playback by pressing the
[ ] button on the device.
Press [ / ] during playback for the previous/next song.
Play the previous/next song by pressing the [ / ] button
on the device.
Long-press [ / ] during playback to rewind/fast-forward.
Rewind/fast-forward by pressing the [ / ] button on
the device.

Using the Device 25

User Guide

Drag the progress bar to the desired location during

playback.
Press the [Home] button on the device to go to the Home
Screen.
Press the album cover during playback to display an
additional screen.
: Display the previous screen.
: Display the current playlist.
Press [ ] next to the playlist to edit the playlist
order.
Press [ ] at the top of the music list to display
music options.
: Add the selected file to the playlist.
: Delete the selected file from the playlist.
: Add the current song to the playlist.
: Display lyrics for the current song.
: Display current song information.

Using the Device 26

User Guide

Playlist Screen

1 4
5
2 6

Using the Device 27

User Guide

1 Current Indicates the current location.

Location Press to return to the previous screen.

2 Play All Play all songs from the current playlist.

3 Playlist Displays the playlist for the current location.

4 List Sorting Select a method for
sorting the playlist.

5 List View Select a view type for the list of albums.

6 Music Select the checkbox to apply playlist
Options options.

Using the Device 28

User Guide

Music Player Screen

1 10

4 11

5 12

6 13
7
8 14

9 15

1 Previous Screen Return to the previous screen.

2 Album Cover Display album covers.

Press the album cover to show
additional functions.

Using the Device 29

User Guide

3 Lyrics Lyrics for the current song.

4 Add to Playlist Add the current song to a playlist.
5 Song Progress Indicates song duration.
6 Details Displays bitrate and sampling
frequency data.
7 Title Song title information.
File name is displayed when
ID3Tag is unavailable.
8 Artist Artist name.
9 Play/Pause Play or pause the current song.
10 Playlist Displays the current playlist.
11 Details Displays current song information.
12 Song Duration Indicates the song’s total duration.
Press to switch from elapsed
time to remaining time.
13 Progress Bar Indicates song progress.
Drag the indicator to move to
the desired time.
14 Previous/ Short press: Previous song.
Rewind Long press: Rewind the current
song.
15 Next/ Short press: Next song.
Fast-Forward Long press: Fast-forward the
current song.

Using the Device 30

User Guide

Playlist Creating a Playlist

Manage- 1. Press [Playlist - Playlists] from the

ment home screen to display a list of

playlists.
2. Press [+] at the upper-right corner
of the screen.
3. Enter a name for the playlist,
and then press [Add] to create
a new playlist.

Adding a Song to a Playlist

1. Press [Playlists] to display a list

of playlists.
2. Select a playlist and press [+ Add]
to display a list of songs.
3. Select the desired song, and then
press [+ Add] to add the song to
the selected playlist.

Using the Device 31

User Guide

Removing a Song from a Playlist

1. Press [Playlists] to display a list

of playlists.
2. Select the desired playlist, and
then press [ ] at the top of
the screen.
3. Select the desired song, and then
press [ ] to remove the song
from the selected playlist.

Editing the Playlist Order

1. Press [ ] next to the playlist

to modify the playlist order.

Playing a Playlist

1. Press [Playlists] to display a list

of playlists, and then press [ ]
at the top of the screen.
2. Select the desired playlist for playback.
3. Press [ ] at the top of the screen
to add the selected playlist after
the current/last song of the current
playlist.

Using the Device 32

User Guide

Renaming a Playlist

1. Press [Playlists] to display a list

of playlists, and then press [ ]
at the top of the screen.
2. Select a playlist to be renamed.
3. Press [ ] at the top of the screen
to display a rename window.
4. Enter a name for the playlist, and
then press [Rename] to save the
playlist under a new name.

Deleting a Playlist

1. Press [Playlists] to display a list

of playlists, and then press [ ]
at the top of the screen.
2. Select the playlist to be deleted.
3. Press [ ] at the top of the screen
to delete the selected playlist.

Using the Device 33

User Guide

USB DAC The USB DAC functionality allows the AK70 to be

recognized as a sound card on a computer. Music from the
Installation computer is played through the device’s earphones port for
an enhanced listening experience.

USB DAC Specifications

Supported OS
Windows XP (32/64-bit) / Windows 7 (32/64-bit) /
Windows 8 (32/64-bit) / Windows 10(32bit/64bit)
OS X 10.7 (Lion) or later
USB DAC Support Specifications
Supported Formats: WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG,
APE (Normal, High, Fast), AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF
Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz – 96 kHz
Bit Rate: 16-bit/24-bit
Control the volume with the AK70's volume wheel.

Sound will not play back for files that exceed the supported formats.
Volume control is unavailable when the LCD screen is turned off
during USB DAC connection.
The Previous, Play, and Next buttons are unavailable during USB
DAC connection.
Playback may stutter when computer performance is slow or the
USB connection is experiencing heavy usage.
There may be issues with audio-to-video synchronization during
video playback depending on the sound quality and operating
environment.
Volume cannot be adjusted via the Windows volume control. The
volume wheel on the device or volume control on the appropriate
program must be used to adjust the volume.

Using the Device 34

User Guide

How to Use You can enjoy USB audio by linking with a portable amp and
DAC available in the market.
USB Audio
How to Link Portable USB DAC

1. Connect the device’s micro USB jack with the portable

USB DAC with dedicated cable.
2. Press [ ] after scrolling down the notification bar.
3. Once [ ] is activated, you can enjoy the music through
the portable USB DAC’s audio output jack.

The micro USB cable that comes packaged with the device is
available for power recharging only by connecting with the PC.
For instructions on the dedicated cable, please refer to the manual
of the portable USB DAC manufacturer.

How to Change USB Audio DSD Output Type

You can change the output type of DSD data coming out of
USB audio.
1. Select a DSD output type on [ - USB audio].
PCM: The device’s DSD is converted into PCM and comes
out through USB audio.
DoP: The device’s DSD is converted into DoP and comes
out through USB audio.

The portable USB DAC must be able to receive digital input through
the micro USB’s OTG.
Output may not be made properly depending on the digital input
specs of the micro USB of the portable USB DAC. This is not a defect
in the device and not a ground for exchange or refund.
In the case of using DoP as a DSD output type, no sound may come
out except noise depending on the specs of the portable USB DAC.

Using the Device 35

User Guide

CD Ripping Connect the AK Ripper (sold separately) to rip CDs.

Turning the AK Ripper On/Off

1. You can use the AK ripper once you connect the device
with the AK ripper and press [ ] after scrolling down the
notification bar.
2. While the AK Ripper is turned on, pull down the notification
bar and press the CD ripping icon to stop the AK Ripper
operation.

Automatic CD Ripping

1. Connect the AK Ripper and insert a CD.

2. The metadata (ID3 tags) for the inserted CD will be retrieved
via Gracenote.
3. CD ripping will begin automatically after the metadata
has been retrieved.
4. When finished, press [OK] on the results prompt to
complete automatic CD ripping.

Manual CD Ripping

1. When the AK Ripper is connected and a CD is inserted,

the [CD Ripping] menu will be activated on the home screen.
2. Press the [CD Ripping] menu and select the desired file
format (FLAC or WAV).
3. The Gracenote database will be searched for matching
CD metadata after the file format is selected.
4. When the database search is complete, press [Start] to
begin CD ripping.
5. Rip only selected songs.

Using the Device 36

User Guide

CD Ripping Results

: Indicates that CD ripping is complete, or that although

an error occurred, CD ripping was successfully
completed via error correction.
: Indicates that the song currently being ripped can be
canceled via user input.
: Indicates that CD ripping failed due to a scratch on
the CD or other similar reasons. Also indicates that
CD ripping was canceled due to user interruption.

To search the Gracenote database, the AK70 must be connected to

the Internet via Wi-Fi. The database access time may vary
depending on the network environment.
Please note that metadata for certain CDs may not be available on
the Gracenote database.
You may not access the Home screen while CD ripping is in
progress.
The AK Connect service will be disabled during CD ripping. The
service will automatically restart when CD ripping is completed.
Music playback will be disabled during CD ripping, and tracks that
have been ripped will not be available for playback until the entire
CD has been ripped.
You can set the desired file format and ripping speed from the [
- CD Ripping] menu.
Several attempts at correction will be made for data with errors
when the feature is enabled under [ - CD Ripping - Error
Correction]. Please note that the CD ripping speed will be affected
when this feature is enabled.

Using the Device 37

User Guide

Using Connect a Bluetooth device to listen to music wirelessly.

Bluetooth
Turning Bluetooth On/Off

A Bluetooth device must be paired

with the AK70 prior to use. Refer
to the Bluetooth device's instruction
manual for details.
1. Select [ ] from the Notification
Bar, or select [On/Off] from [ -
Bluetooth].

Bluetooth Pairing

1. Select the appropriate Bluetooth device from the list of

available devices.

Terminating a Bluetooth Connection

1. Press the connected Bluetooth

device and confirm the message
prompt to disconnect the device.

Using the Device 38

User Guide

Removing a Bluetooth Pairing

1. Press [ ] to the right of the

paired device to be redirected
to the settings screen.
2. Select [Remove Pairing] to
complete the process.

Bluetooth Support Specifications

Profile: A2DP, aptX
Device performance may be affected during Hi-Fi playback.
(48 kHz or lower is recommended.)
Do not turn off the device while connected to Bluetooth.
Power cycle the Bluetooth device in case of malfunction.
Pairing methods may differ for each individual Bluetooth device.
Always refer to the respective instruction manual for details.
When connecting the product to a Bluetooth device, the distance
between the two must be within 20 cm.
Audio quality will degrade with longer distances, and the pairing
may disconnect at a distance of 2 m (6.5 ft) or more. (Distances may
vary depending on device and environment.)
Crosstalk may be heard while using Bluetooth.
For multipoint devices, make the necessary connections prior to
use.
Car audio Bluetooth connections are not supported.
Malfunction, noise, and other undesirable effects may occur due to
the device's battery level and the environment.
If signal interference affects data transmission. (e.g. holding the
device while wearing a Bluetooth device, holding the device while
holding another electronic device, etc.)
If the device or Bluetooth headset's radio transmitters are touching
parts of the body.
If the transmission strength is affected by walls, corners,
partitions, etc.
If devices using the same frequencies cause interference. (e.g.
medical devices, microwave ovens, Wi-Fi, etc.)
Areas with an excessive amount of interference or weak signals.
(e.g. elevators, underground, etc.)

Using the Device 39

User Guide

Settings Set up the device according to the user's needs. The settings
menu may vary depending on the firmware version.

Setup

1. Select [ ] from the home screen notification bar.

2. Select the desired item for setup.

Wi-Fi

Change wireless network settings and turn Wi-Fi on or off.

Refer to page 45 of the manual for more information on setting a

wireless network.

Bluetooth

Connect a Bluetooth device to listen to music wirelessly.

Refer to [Using Bluetooth] on page 38 of the manual for more

information on setting up a Bluetooth connection.

AK CONNECT

Set whether to use AK Connect.

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Equalizer

Set the equalizer according to the user's preferences.

Pro EQ: EQ Preset recommended by professionals.
User EQ: Adjust the frequencies according to the user's
preferences.

Supported Formats for EQ: PCM [8 – 192 kHz (8/16/24-bit)]

DSD [64/128]
Using the equalizer may negatively affect device performance.
Refer to pages 46 - 48 of the manual for more information on using
the equalizer.

Gapless Playback

Play the next song without any interruptions/silence.

Gapless playback is only supported between two files
with identical bit rates, sample rates, and channels.

Line Out

Turn Line Out on or off.

Enabling Line Out and pressing [Line Out] on the volume
control window will lock the volume level at maximum.

Do not use earphones with the Line Out feature enabled. Doing so
may cause permanent hearing loss.

Display Balanced Out

You can display Balanced Out on the volume screen.

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Left-Right Balance

Adjust the left-right balance for earphones/headphones.

CD Ripping

Set the automatic CD ripping function as well as the file

format and ripping speed.

USB Audio

It sets up the output type of DSD coming out through the

portable USB DAC.

Screen Brightness

Adjust screen brightness settings.

Theme

Change the theme.

Date & Time

Set the current date and time.

Device Name

Set the name of the device.

The maximum name length is 30 characters.

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Language

Select the display language.

Supported languages: English, Korean, Japanese,
Chinese (Simplified/Traditional), French, Russian, German

Keyboard

Select the keyboard language.

Supported languages: English, Korean, Japanese,
Chinese (Simplified/Traditional), Russian

Power

Automatic Shutdown: The device will turn off after a

defined period if there is no user input.
Screen Timeout: The screen will turn off after a defined
period when there is no user input.
Sleep Timer: Music playback will stop, and the device will
turn off after a defined period.

USB Connection

Media Device (USB Drive): Connect to a computer to

transfer media files.
DAC Input: Listen to music located on a PC through the device.

Download

Select a folder for downloaded files.

The default folder is set when using AK Connect to download files.

When [Select Folder] is selected, the user is prompted to choose a
download folder each time a file is downloaded.

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User Guide

Update

System Update: Update the system when a new version

is found.
Application Update: Update the default applications
(including the Store) when new versions are found.

System Information

System Information: View model number, firmware version,

and data storage information. The microSD card can be
mounted/dismounted, and data can be deleted.

Formatting the microSD card will delete all data on the memory
card. Be sure to backup any important files before formatting.
When formatting the microSD card from a computer, be sure to
select the FAT32 system.

System Restore

Database Initialization: Reset the internal database.

The database initialization time may vary depending on
the number of files stored on the device.
Default Settings: Revert all user settings back to their
original settings.
Factory Reset: Delete all user data and restore the device
to its original factory settings.

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User Guide

Connecting Connecting to a Network

to a 1. Long-press [ ] from the

Wireless Notification Bar or select [ -

Wi-Fi] to display a list of access
Network points (AP).

2. Select the desired AP to connect

to the wireless network.
Additional information
(encryption key, index, etc.)
may be required depending
on the network settings.

3. Long-press the network name

and select [Network Settings] to
edit specific network settings.

Networks requiring browser or other additional certifications are

not supported.
Channels 1 through 11 are supported.

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Equalizer Equalizer Setup

Setup 1. Long-press [EQ] from the

Notification Bar, or turn on
the feature from [ - Equalizer].

2. Press [Pro] from the drop-down

list and select [Add New].

3. Enter a name for the custom

EQ settings and select [Add].

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User Guide

4. Adjust the frequencies according

to the user's preferences.

Reset Equalizer

1. Select the desired EQ setting

and select [Reset] to revert the
EQ to its default settings.

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User Guide

Delete Equalizer

1. Select [Delete] and choose the

desired EQ setting for deletion.
2. Press [Confirm] to complete
process.

Rename Equalizer

1. Select [Rename] and enter

a new name for the EQ setting.
2. Press [Rename] to complete
the process.

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User Guide

Safety Device

Precautions When a plug is inserted into the earphones, balanced, or

USB port, do not apply any force or shock to the plug.
Do not insert any metal objects (coins, hairpins, etc.) or
flammable debris into the device.
Do not place heavy objects on the device.
In case the device gets wet (rain, water, chemicals,
medicine, cosmetics, sweat, moisture, etc.), do not power
on the device and allow it to dry thoroughly. Contact the
nearest iriver Customer Support Center.
(Malfunctions due to exposure to liquids will be repaired
for a fee regardless of the warranty period and such
damage may not be repairable.)
Avoid exposing the device to direct sunlight or extreme
temperatures (-5Ⳅ - 40Ⳅ; 23°F - 104°F) such as the
inside of a car during the summer.
Do not store or use in hot and humid places such as saunas.
Avoid places with excess moisture, dust, or smoke.
Do not use for extended period on blankets, electric
blankets, or carpet.
Do not place near a fire or in a microwave.
Never attempt to disassemble, repair, or alter the product.
Do not store for extended periods in a confined space
with the power on.
Do not place the device near magnetic objects (magnets,
televisions, monitors, speakers, etc.).
Never use chemicals or cleaning products on the device
since they can damage the paint and surface coating.
Avoid dropping or subjecting the device to a strong
impact (excessive vibration, etc.).
Do not press multiple buttons simultaneously.
Do not disconnect the micro-USB cable during data transfer.
When connecting the micro-USB cable, use a USB port
on the back of the PC. Connecting to a defective or
damaged USB port may damage the device.
Displaying one image for an extended period may cause
screen burn-in (afterimage).

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Using poor quality protective films or adhesive stickers on

the screen may cause damage.
Do not insert any foreign objects into the earphones port.
If playing for extended periods, the device can be very hot,
so please keep in mind when using.

Other

Do not use earphones/headphones or operate the product

while operating any type of vehicle. It is not only dangerous
but may be a violation of the law in certain regions.
Do not use the product during physical activities (driving,
walking, hiking, etc.).
Always use in a safe environment to avoid the risk of accidents.
Always be aware of your surroundings when using the
device while moving.
Avoid using the device during thunderstorms to reduce
the possibility of electric shock.
If there is a ringing in the ears during or immediately after
use, reduce the volume or discontinue using the product
and obtain medical advice.
Do not listen to music at excessive volumes for extended periods.
Do not use the earphones/headphones at excessive volumes.
Be careful not to get the earphones/headphones caught
in other objects.
Do not sleep with earphones in your ears or leave them in
for extended periods.

Trouble- Check for solutions to common problems.

shooting 1. The device won't turn on.

The battery may need to be recharged. Charge the
device for at least one hour and try again.
Reset the device and try again. (See p. 5)

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2. The device will not charge when connected to a computer

via USB cable.
Use a USB port on the back of the computer, and check
that the USB port is functioning properly.
Check that the USB cable is connected correctly.
3. The computer won't recognize the device or an error
occurs when connected.
Use a USB port on the back of the computer.
Check that the USB cable is connected correctly.
For Windows XP, verify that Service Pack 2 (or higher)
and Windows Media Player 10 (or higher) are installed.
Check if the device connects properly on a different computer.
4. The screen turns off repeatedly.
The screen turns off automatically after a defined period
to reduce battery consumption. Set the time at [ -
Power Saving - Screen Timeout].
5. The screen does not display images properly.
Check the screen for debris.
6. There is no sound, or there is static/interference.
Check that the volume setting is above [0].
Check that the earphones are plugged in properly, and
make sure debris isn't obstructing the port connection.
Check if the music file is corrupted.
Verify that the audio settings have been properly set.
(Balanced out, line out, etc.)
7. A file does not play, or the product is unstable when a
certain file is used.
The following may occur due to the condition of the file:
Playback is unstable or difficult.
The product may not work normally.
The file may sound different from a computer.
There may be a difference in the performance of
playback or other functions.
There may be differences in the playable specs.
A file conversion or use of a different file is recommended.

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User Guide

Copyright iriver Limited retains the rights to patents, trademarks, copyrights,

and other intellectual property rights related to this manual.
No contents of this user manual may be duplicated or
reproduced in any format or by any means without the prior
approval of iriver.
Using or reproducing, in whole or part, the contents of this
document is subject to penalties.
Software, audio, video, and any other copyrighted contents
are protected in accordance with relevant copyright laws.
The user accepts all legal responsibility for the unauthorized
reproduction or distribution of the copyrighted contents from
this product.
Companies, organizations, products, people, and events
used in the examples are not based on actual data.
iriver has no intention to be associated with any company,
institution, product, person, or incident through this instruction
manual, and no such inference should be made.
It is the responsibility of the user to comply with applicable
copyright laws.
©1999-2016 iriver Limited. All rights reserved.
The AK70 was designed and audio-tuned under the
advisement of MSD.

Certifi- KC / FCC / CE / TELEC

Class B Device (Communication equipment for residential use):
cations This is a Class B Device and is registered for EMC requirements
for residential use. This device can be used in residential
and all other areas.

FCCID: PPE12
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.

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User Guide

(b) For a Class B digital device or peripheral, the instructions furnished

the user shall include the following or similar statement, placed in a
prominent location in the text of the manual: NOTE: This equipment
has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined
by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to
correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that
to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
Body-Worn operation
This device was tested for typical body-worn operations with the back
of the portable music player kept 5mm. from the body. To maintain
compliance requirements, use only belt-clips, holsters or similar
accessories that maintain a 5mm separation distance between the
user’s Body and the back of the Portable music player, including the
antenna. The use of belt-clips, holsters and similar accessories should
not contain metallic components in its assembly. The use of
accessories that do not satisfy these requirements may not comply
with CE RF exposure requirements, and should be avoided.
Body-worn accessory exposure conditions “Specific information must
be included in the operating manuals to enable users to select
body-worn accessories that meet the minimum test separation
distance requirements. Users must be fully informed of
the operating requirements and restrictions, to the extent that the
typical user can easily understand the information, to acquire the
required body-worn accessories to maintain compliance. Instructions
on how to place and orient a device in body-worn accessories, in
accordance with the test results, should also be included in the user
instructions. All supported bodyworn accessory operating
configurations must be clearly disclosed to users through conspicuous
instructions in the user guide and user manual to ensure unsupported
operations are avoided. All body-worn accessories containing metallic
components must be tested for compliance and clearly identified in the
operating manual. The instruction must inform users to avoid using
other body-worn accessories containing metallic components to
ensure RF exposure compliance.”

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Specifi- General Specifications

Product Name AK70
cations Model PPE12
Body Color Misty Mint
Body Material Aluminum
Display 3.3-inch WVGA (480x800) Touch Screen
Supported Audio WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE (Normal, High, Fast),
Formats AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF
Sampling Rate FLAC, WAV, ALAC, AIFF : 8kHz ~ 192kHz
(8/16/24bits per Sample)
DSD : DSD64, Stereo/ DSD128, Stereo
Output Level Unbalance 2.3 Vrms/ Balance 2.3 Vrms (Condition No Load)
DAC Cirrus Logic CS4398 x 1 (Single DAC)
Decoding Support up to 24bit / 192kHz Bit to Bit Decoding
Input Type-B micro-USB Input (Charging & data transfer (PC & Mac)) /
Connection Mode: MTP (Media Device)
Outputs Phones (3.5 mm) / Balanced Out (2.5 mm, only 4-pole supported)
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz)
Bluetooth V4.0 (A2DP, AVRCP, aptX)
Dimensions 2.37" (60.3mm)[W] x 3.81" (96.8mm)[H] x 0.51" (13mm)[D]
Weight 4.66 oz(132g)
Feature Enhancements Firmware Upgrade Supported (OTA)
Audio Specifications
Frequency Response ±0.075dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalance /
±0.075dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Balance
±0.56dB (Condition: 10Hz~70kHz) Unbalance /
±0.55dB (Condition: 10Hz~70kHz) Balance
S/N 116dB @ 1kHz, Unbalance/ 116dB @ 1kHz, Balance
Crosstalk 130dB @ 1kHz, Unbalance/ 130dB @ 1kHz, Balance
THD+N 0.0008% @ 1 kHz, Unbalanced / 0.0007% @ 1 kHz, Balanced
SMPTE IMD 0.0007% 800 Hz 10 kHz (4:1) Unbalanced /
0.0006% 800 Hz 10 kHz (4:1) Balanced
Output Impedance Balanced Out 2.5 mm (1 ohm) / Phones 3.5 mm (2 ohm)
Clock Jitter 50 ps
Storage Capacity
Built-in Memory 64GB[NAND]
External Memory microSD (Max. 128 GB) x 1
Battery
Capacity 2,200mAh 3.7V Li-Polymer Battery
Supported OS
Supported OS Windows 7,8,10(32/64bit)
MAC OS X 10.7. and up

Miscellaneous 54
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Registered Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8,

Windows 10 and Windows Media Player are trademarks of
Trademarks Microsoft Corp.

Disclaimers The manufacturer, importer, and distributor shall not be

liable for damages including accidental and personal injury
due to the improper use or operation of this product.
The information in this user manual was written based on
current product specifications. The manufacturer, iriver
Limited, is adding new complementary features and will
continue to apply new technologies in the future.
All specifications may be changed without prior notice.
There is no warranty against data loss due to the use of this
product.

Risk of explosion if battery is replaced by an incorrect type. Dispose

of used batteries according to the instructions.

Miscellaneous 55