Astell&Kern - PEE51
Portable USB DAC & AmpUnfortunately, even if we desire to, we won't be able to resurrect this product. The Museum is where we pay our respects to end-of-life, old, archived, but not forgotten products. This page was made with a lot of love and will live on for posterity. What to say, we're sentimental people. 😔
While this product is gone forever, here are others we recommend
Customer Reviews
Astell&Kern - PEE51 (Unboxed)
Hey there, thank you for your awesome ratings!
This is an absolute no brainer at this price point. Amazing product, designed to last. Make sure you turn it way down!
Light years better than using cheap headset.
Hey Sanjith, thank you so much for the awesome review!
Astell & Kern PEE51 is an affordable premium DAC with excellent built quality & amazing sound. It sounds amazing on S23 Ultra phone & LETSHUOER - S12 IEMs
I have been listening to 16bit FLAC files and the sound signature is amazing for 80s English music 🎶. If you are planning to step into Audiophile zone and looking for an affordable DAC from a premium brand, this is it. At 7k price point you are getting a premium known brand in Audiophile community with dual DAC chip. Make sure to invest in a decent IEMs to make the most out of the DAC.
Hey Swapnil, thank you for the great review and ratings! So delighted that you are loving your purchase. Hope you had a comfortable shopping experience. Cheers!
Should say am really impressed
The way my Yamaha amp and aspart Vinci 7 speakers sounding with the dac was in no comparison as to what it was before.even the tiniest of treble notes and not to mention the deep bass beats are higlighted .awesome.same is the result when I connect my sony 1000 mx5
Real value for money
Rather a loss to hear without this tiny monster Dac
Hey Rajeeb, thanks a lot for your amazing review!
Bought this as a temporary substitute for a damaged DAC, but it's impressive enough that I think I'll use it more often. Bit bass-heavy for my taste, and the soundstage is perhaps not as wide as I'd like, but it has a good signature and is easily one of the best sounding DACs in this price range.
Hey Anirudh, thank you so much for the awesome review!
Astell&Kern - PEE51
Hey there, thank you for the awesome ratings!
such analytic much crisp
Hey Amit, thanks a lot for this lovely review and we are glad you are enjoying it! Keep the music playing.
Amazing gadget:) Listened to some of my fav 80s rock ballads, sounds amazing!
However, there a slight heating issue when connected to the phone, not sure what's the cause, maybe after a couple of hours of usage will kind of figure it out. Overall an amazing piece of creativity and innovation in a small package.
We really appreciate the genuine feedback, we'll share your thoughts with the brand as well!
Designed in
Korea
Ideal for Audiophiles
Best Suited for Portable Use
Ideal for
Commuting
Cirrus Logic CS43198
Dual DAC Chip
Pair with Laptop via USB
A majority of people use a laptop as the primary source device to listen to music or watch movies. Since the laptop is an essential part of the audio chain there are headphones and devices designed to work a laptop or computer system flawlessly. With the availability of USB connectivity, it becomes easier to pair various devices like an Amp, DAC or even headphones without worrying about drivers or any additional piece of software.
2 Vrms
Power Output
Metal
Build
Super Lightweight
Design
PEE51 is easily my favourite Dongle DAC. It gives you the Astell&Kern signature sound at a very affordable price, and you can pair these with IEMs that are upwards of Rs 1,00,000, and it's hard to believe how much detail and power you’re getting from a device this size.
About RAGHAV SOMANI
Raghav Somani is the Founder & CEO of Headphone Zone. An avid audiophile and musician since 2008, his choice of headphones include STAX Electrostats, Audeze LCD 3, and for music on the go, the JH Audio Roxanne + Astell&Kern SP1000 is never too far away. On his playlist, you'll find A.R. Rahman, Michael Jackson, and the Eagles.
DESCRIPTION
POWERHOUSE USB-C DOUBLE DAC FOR HIGH DEFINITION SONIC EXCELLENCE
Designed to complement Astell&Kern's series of Digital Audio Players, the PEE51 lets you enjoy the dynamic and lifelike high-definition sound on your computer and Android mobile phones without using a high-end sound card. The PEE51 features two Cirrus Logic CS43198 MasterHIFI DACs that support Hi-Res audio playback including native DSD256 and 32bit / 384kHz.
INDIGENOUSLY DEVELOPED AUDIO CIRCUIT FOR STABLE AND UNRIVALLED PERFORMANCE
Putting years of experience to best use, Astell&Kern has designed a highly intricate circuit on a small and 6-layered 14 x 41 mm printed circuit board (PCB). Even the micro resistors and tantalum capacitors used in the PEE51 are indigenously developed by Astell&Kern. These are capacitors that are used in the A&K DAPs, and they optimise audio circuits to reduce fluctuations leading to overall stability and unrivalled sound quality.
AN INDEPENDENT ANALOG AMPLIFIER TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY COLOURIZATION & DISTORTION
The power of CS43198 DACs is combined with an independent analogue amplifier to deliver highly authentic sound reproduction. This chip allows you to enjoy a dynamic and clear sound that is free of colourisation and distortion - just the way artists intend their music to sound. The PEE51 is compact and drives even high impedance headphones with an output level of 2 Vrms.
ENJOY ASTELL&KERN SOUND SIGNATURE ON YOUR ANDROID SMARTPHONES AND COMPUTERS
Offering the widely used USB-C connector, the Astell&Kern PEE51 is compatible with almost all the latest Android smartphones, tablets, Windows 10 computers and macOS. You can connect headphones to the PEE51 with a 3.5 mm connector. The PEE51 lets you discover the Astell&Kern sound signature using your audio devices. From full-size headsets to in-ears, you connect a host of headphones that support 3.5mm 3-pole and 4-pole plugs. Kindly note that 4-pole earbuds with inline controller and microphone functions are not supported.
ROBUST 4-CORE SILVER-PLATED COPPER CABLE FOR NOISE-FREE SOUND REPRODUCTION
Empowered with a custom 4-core cable for precise sound reproduction, the PEE51 improves disconnect resistance. With reinforced aramid fibre, the PEE51 can resist a tensile force of up to 200 Newton. This thick cable consists of spiralled silver-plated copper wires wrapped around a centre Technora Aramid core to eliminate external noise. This copper wire also helps to deliver clean and rich surround sound. There is unique shielding on these cables that eliminates distortion and noise in digital and analogue signals coming from the playback device.
"LIGHT AND SHADOW" THEMED ELEGANT DESIGN THAT BALANCES BEAUTY AND COMFORT
Featuring the "light and shadow" design, the USB-C DUAL DAC utilises a unique design that has been fundamental to Astell&Kern products. This design consists of a single centerline that crosses from right to left. The ratio of the angles is optimised to ensure that the sharp portions of the four top faces coincide at a single point. Reflection on each side of the design follows the movement of light. The surface is polished to make one-hand use more comfortable. Reflecting on the durability of other Astell&Kern machines, the PEE51 uses robust metal elements.
KINDLY READ THROUGH THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR BEST USER EXPERIENCE
Considering limitations of hardware, software and the overall system some of the devices might not be able to function perfectly with the Astell&Kern PEE51. iOS devices like iPhones and iPads are not compatible with the PEE51 currently while some Android devices may need changes in settings to work efficiently. If you are using the PEE51 with a computer, the computer will automatically install the required driver. However, a separate installation may be required for high-end audio playback. This extra installation file can be accessed from the Support-Download section of the Astell&Kern global website. Kindly note that to play hi-res audio files like DSD and PCM on your smartphones you will need a separate free / paid application that is compatible with high-definition audio playback.
It is advised to get the volume level checked before connecting headphones to the PEE51 as there are chances of some devices having maximum volume by default. When you are using the PEE51 with an Astell&Kern player as an external D / A converter the volume will be set to the highest, by default. Listening to music on high volumes can damage your listening. Astell&Kern does not recommend using the PEE51 with Astell&Kern players. Firmware updates may be available from time to time to enhance stability and performance. Visit the Support-Download section of the Astell&Kern global site to get more information on updates and to check if any update is available.
SPECS
| HOUSING MATERIAL | Zinc alloy |
| HOUSING COLOR | Titan |
| DAC | Cirrus Logic CS43198 x 2 |
| SAMPLING FREQUENCY | PCM: Supports up to 32 Bit / 384kHz / DSD Native: DSD64 (1 bit 2.8MHz), Stereo / DSD128 (1 bit 5.6MHz), Stereo / DSD256 (1 bit 11.2MHz), Stereo |
| INPUTS | USB Type-C (for Windows 10, Android Smartphone & Tablet PC, macOS) (Not compatible with iPhones and iPad) |
| OUTPUTS | 3.5 mm headphone |
| AC SPARK INSULATION | USB Plug: 17 mm [W] x 50 mm [H] x 10.3 mm [D] / 3.5 mm Headphone: 12 mm [W] x 20 mm [H] x 8.2 mm [D] |
| WEIGHT | approx. 25 g |
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE | ± 0.030 (Condition: 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz) |
| SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO | 118dB @ 1 kHz, unbalanced |
| THD + N | 0.0004% @ 1 kHz, unbalanced |
| IMD SMPTE | 0.0003% 800Hz 10kHz (4: 1), unbalanced |
| OUTPUT IMPEDANCE | 2 Ohm |
| OUTPUT VOLTAGE | 2 Vrms |
| BOX CONTENTS | 1. Astell&Kern PEE51 |
POWERHOUSE USB-C DOUBLE DAC FOR HIGH DEFINITION SONIC EXCELLENCE
Designed to complement Astell&Kern's series of Digital Audio Players, the PEE51 lets you enjoy the dynamic and lifelike high-definition sound on your computer and Android mobile phones without using a high-end sound card. The PEE51 features two Cirrus Logic CS43198 MasterHIFI DACs that support Hi-Res audio playback including native DSD256 and 32bit / 384kHz.
INDIGENOUSLY DEVELOPED AUDIO CIRCUIT FOR STABLE AND UNRIVALLED PERFORMANCE
Putting years of experience to best use, Astell&Kern has designed a highly intricate circuit on a small and 6-layered 14 x 41 mm printed circuit board (PCB). Even the micro resistors and tantalum capacitors used in the PEE51 are indigenously developed by Astell&Kern. These are capacitors that are used in the A&K DAPs, and they optimise audio circuits to reduce fluctuations leading to overall stability and unrivalled sound quality.
AN INDEPENDENT ANALOG AMPLIFIER TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY COLOURIZATION & DISTORTION
The power of CS43198 DACs is combined with an independent analogue amplifier to deliver highly authentic sound reproduction. This chip allows you to enjoy a dynamic and clear sound that is free of colourisation and distortion - just the way artists intend their music to sound. The PEE51 is compact and drives even high impedance headphones with an output level of 2 Vrms.
ENJOY ASTELL&KERN SOUND SIGNATURE ON YOUR ANDROID SMARTPHONES AND COMPUTERS
Offering the widely used USB-C connector, the Astell&Kern PEE51 is compatible with almost all the latest Android smartphones, tablets, Windows 10 computers and macOS. You can connect headphones to the PEE51 with a 3.5 mm connector. The PEE51 lets you discover the Astell&Kern sound signature using your audio devices. From full-size headsets to in-ears, you connect a host of headphones that support 3.5mm 3-pole and 4-pole plugs. Kindly note that 4-pole earbuds with inline controller and microphone functions are not supported.
ROBUST 4-CORE SILVER-PLATED COPPER CABLE FOR NOISE-FREE SOUND REPRODUCTION
Empowered with a custom 4-core cable for precise sound reproduction, the PEE51 improves disconnect resistance. With reinforced aramid fibre, the PEE51 can resist a tensile force of up to 200 Newton. This thick cable consists of spiralled silver-plated copper wires wrapped around a centre Technora Aramid core to eliminate external noise. This copper wire also helps to deliver clean and rich surround sound. There is unique shielding on these cables that eliminates distortion and noise in digital and analogue signals coming from the playback device.
"LIGHT AND SHADOW" THEMED ELEGANT DESIGN THAT BALANCES BEAUTY AND COMFORT
Featuring the "light and shadow" design, the USB-C DUAL DAC utilises a unique design that has been fundamental to Astell&Kern products. This design consists of a single centerline that crosses from right to left. The ratio of the angles is optimised to ensure that the sharp portions of the four top faces coincide at a single point. Reflection on each side of the design follows the movement of light. The surface is polished to make one-hand use more comfortable. Reflecting on the durability of other Astell&Kern machines, the PEE51 uses robust metal elements.
KINDLY READ THROUGH THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR BEST USER EXPERIENCE
Considering limitations of hardware, software and the overall system some of the devices might not be able to function perfectly with the Astell&Kern PEE51. iOS devices like iPhones and iPads are not compatible with the PEE51 currently while some Android devices may need changes in settings to work efficiently. If you are using the PEE51 with a computer, the computer will automatically install the required driver. However, a separate installation may be required for high-end audio playback. This extra installation file can be accessed from the Support-Download section of the Astell&Kern global website. Kindly note that to play hi-res audio files like DSD and PCM on your smartphones you will need a separate free / paid application that is compatible with high-definition audio playback.
It is advised to get the volume level checked before connecting headphones to the PEE51 as there are chances of some devices having maximum volume by default. When you are using the PEE51 with an Astell&Kern player as an external D / A converter the volume will be set to the highest, by default. Listening to music on high volumes can damage your listening. Astell&Kern does not recommend using the PEE51 with Astell&Kern players. Firmware updates may be available from time to time to enhance stability and performance. Visit the Support-Download section of the Astell&Kern global site to get more information on updates and to check if any update is available.
| HOUSING MATERIAL | Zinc alloy |
| HOUSING COLOR | Titan |
| DAC | Cirrus Logic CS43198 x 2 |
| SAMPLING FREQUENCY | PCM: Supports up to 32 Bit / 384kHz / DSD Native: DSD64 (1 bit 2.8MHz), Stereo / DSD128 (1 bit 5.6MHz), Stereo / DSD256 (1 bit 11.2MHz), Stereo |
| INPUTS | USB Type-C (for Windows 10, Android Smartphone & Tablet PC, macOS) (Not compatible with iPhones and iPad) |
| OUTPUTS | 3.5 mm headphone |
| AC SPARK INSULATION | USB Plug: 17 mm [W] x 50 mm [H] x 10.3 mm [D] / 3.5 mm Headphone: 12 mm [W] x 20 mm [H] x 8.2 mm [D] |
| WEIGHT | approx. 25 g |
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE | ± 0.030 (Condition: 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz) |
| SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO | 118dB @ 1 kHz, unbalanced |
| THD + N | 0.0004% @ 1 kHz, unbalanced |
| IMD SMPTE | 0.0003% 800Hz 10kHz (4: 1), unbalanced |
| OUTPUT IMPEDANCE | 2 Ohm |
| OUTPUT VOLTAGE | 2 Vrms |
| BOX CONTENTS | 1. Astell&Kern PEE51 |
Don't sweat it, this
Astell&Kern - PEE51 comes with a 1 Year warranty
from Astell&Kern that covers manufacturing defects.
All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.
Read more about Astell&Kern's warranty in India.
"Dual DAC Cable ultimately showcases greater refinement in both feel and listening than even its premium competitors, its higher output impedance in particular makes it a far more situational buy."
Read MoreHave a question? Get in touch!
Check out the most common questions our customers ask. Still have questions? Talk to our Headphone Gurus.
Whats the warranty period? How to claim warranty?
Do I need to charge the Astell&Kern PEE51?
Is the Astell&Kern PEE51 compatible with iPhones and iPads?
Can I use the Astell&Kern PEE51 with my smartphone?
Does the Astell&Kern PEE51 come with a mic?
Which DAC Chip does the Astell&Kern PEE51 use?