Name: Astell&Kern AK HC4 Portable USB DAC
Brand: AstellnKern
SKU: 6579170afce09aee216183fd
Price: 1720.0 HKD
Availability: InStock

Astell&Kern AK HC4 Portable USB DAC

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HK$1,720.00

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Introducing the new high-end portable USB DAC dongle from Astell&Kern: the HC4. The successor to the popular HC3 and HC2, both of the previous versions were designed with either a single 3.5mm (unbalanced) headphone jack or a 4.4mm (balanced) headphone jack. The HC4 now brings those two together for the first time, offering both a balanced and unbalanced headphone jack on a single device. Equipped with an AK4493S DAC, the HC4 portable DAC provides exceptionally clean audio quality, with a musical presentation with plenty of detail and resolution. New to the HC4 model is the design of a detachable cable, giving you the option to switch connector types as needed. The HC4 headphone amplifier is equipped with a USB type-C connector and also supports UAC1.0 for gaming scenarios.

AK HC4: Big Sound in a Small Package

Astell&Kern has unveiled their latest Hi-Fi USB DAC cable, the HC4, which creates a true hi-fi experience on smartphones and PCs everywhere. The pristine sound provided by the new HC4 headphone amp has won praise from countless audiophiles and media personnel from all over the world for its great sound and mini size.

The HC4 expands upon its highly acclaimed predecessors, delivering even more perfected sound in various usage scenarios through an advanced design. Featuring dual output headphone jacks, the HC4 is compatible with most IEMs and headphones, The AK4493S DAC chip delivers true Hi-Fi sound, along with Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) technology. It brings a level of Hi-Fi sound previously exclusive to Astell&Kern's digital audio players (DAPs), to the AK HC4. Enjoy Hi-Fi USB Audio like never before.

Features:

3.5mm, 4.4mm Dual Output
AKM AK4493S
DAR (Digital Audio Remaster)
Supports iOS devices
Interchangeable Cable (Type-C / Lightning Cable Included)
Supported UAC1.0 (For Gaming System)
Roon Tested

Ultra-high resolution sound from AKM AK4493s DAC

To achieve the highest audio quality available with a USB DAC, the AK HC4 is the first USB Cable DAC of this size to incorporate an AKM DAC. AKM's DACs are well-known and loved in Astell&Kern's digital audio players (DAPs), but due to the small size of the USB DAC dongle and the challenges of amp design, it has proven difficult to implement the DAC chip into the USB DAC Cable lineup until now.

The AK4493S DAC from AKM that is used in the HC4 is enhanced with better noise control, lower power design, and ultra-precise amp design technology, delivering an exceptionally high-quality Hi-Fi audio signal. It also supports Native DSD 256 and up to 32bit/384kHz to handle any high-quality audio source, allowing you to experience the high-grade sound quality that Astell&Kern delivers with every product.

Precision DAC and AMP Design for Hi-Fi Sound

In order for Astell&Kern to gain stable output power and ultra-high-quality Hi-Fi sound through the dual output of the HC4, the USB DAC (digital to analog converter) instroduces an exclusive amp circuitry that supercedes the built-in DAC amp. While maintaining such a compact form factor (29.5 x 64.5 x 14.5 mm), Astell&Kern used micro resistors and capacitor parts to achieve a small footprint without compromising performance. Carefully selected, ultra-small tantalum capacitors are included in the circuit design, which are used in AK player products to create stable audio performance by controlling power fluctuations. In addition, the output and audio performance are enhanced with Astell&Kern's unique power management technology to minimize current consumption from the connected device.

Dual Balanced and Unbalanced Headphone Outputs

The AK HC4 features dual headphone outputs with a combo of both 3.5mm (unbalanced) and 4.4mm (balanced) jacks, allowing you to use the HC4 with most Hi-Fi IEMs and headphones without the need for adapters or additional cables. The 4.4mm balanced output provides a high output of 3Vrms, maximizing the performance of sensitive headphones and IEMs, while ensuring clear channel separation and minimal noise. The 3.5mm unbalanced output is compatible with the majority of existing IEMs and headphones, offering an output of 2Vrms to fully experience the capabilities of your favorite IEMs or headphones.

Digital Audio Remaster Technology for Even More Vivid Original Sound

The AK HC4 is equipped with digital audio remaster (DAR) technology, which was only applicable to the latest digital audio players from Astell&Kern. DAR technology is developed to upsample the sample rate of the sound source being played to go beyond the limits of the source format. The high sample rate allows more refined play and offers delicate and analog-like original sound, helping you to enjoy the richness of the original sound, subtle differences in the nuance of the music and rich sounds at a higher level. In addition, the DAR slide key on the side of the product gives you a more intuitive selection of DAR options.

* The DAR function can be selected On/Off depending on the sound source or your preference.

* Supports PCM playback conversion Rate up to 384 kHz/DSD256.

Better Audio for Your Gaming Sessions

While modern smartphones, tablets, and PCs support UAC 2.0 connections, many gaming devices still exclusively support UAC 1.0 connections. To cater to both scenarios, AK HC4 ensures compatibility by supporting both UAC 2.0 and UAC 1.0 connections for cross-platform quality sound experiences. Connect AK HC4 to your gaming device such as PlayStation and Switch, and enjoy low latency and enhanced sound for an immersive gaming experience.

Noise-Free Rear Output Structure

AK HC4 incorporates a rear audio output design to minimize noise. Most USB DAC products have the DAC positioned in the USB terminal that is connected directly to the device to process and output audio.

However, with the HC4, digital signals from the device go through the dual shielded cable to the audio circuit before being converted to an analog signal by the DAC. By processing the digital signal after, the result is superior, noise-free sound compared to other USB DAC products.

Dual Noise Shielded Cable

To ensure optimal usability across both Android and iOS devices without the need for additional adapters, AK HC4 features an interchangeable cable that readily supports Type-C (USB-C) and Lightning (Apple) connections. The AK HC4 features a dual shielded cable to minimize noise and deliver a more vivid, original sound.

The copper core wire is coated with tin to prevent corrosion and strengthen tensile force for enhanced durability. Additionally, the entire cable is wrapped in an aluminum film to block noise with an extra layer of shielding around the power cable to further minimize noise, the biggest issue in audio, then the tin-coated copper wire is woven to minimize noise interference to sound. Finished with a fabric jacket on top of the TPE jacket, the cable features enhanced durability and usability with perfect aesthetic appeal.

LED for real-time indication

AK HC4 has an LED indicator located on the front, that displays song details and USB Connection.

Standby : White / PCM : Red / DSD : Blue / UAC1.0 : Green

* When connected to UAC 1.0, the LED is fixed green.

Design Concept

The AK HC4 is small in size, but it inherits Astell&Kern's design philosophy, Light and Shadow, through simple yet delicate design elements.

By adopting a unibody structure, the bonding line is minimized to complete the smooth and clean appearance, and the overall appearance of the product is even more complete. It has a design that can minimize the burden of size caused by simultaneous 3.5mm and 4.4mm Dual Output. In particular, the front edge line is designed to be symmetrical left and right so that the line is gathered in the center, creating a balanced look that naturally focuses the gaze in the center. The side of the product is designed with concave lines, making it easy and comfortable to use in a form naturally tailored to human hands. In addition, the keys on the sides are either lifted at both ends or divided into dot embossed details, allowing the user to use each function separately only with the sensation of the fingertips.

General Specifications

Model	AK HC4
Body Color	Moon Silver
Body Material	Aluminum
DAC	AKM AK4493S
Sample rate	PCM : 8kHz ~ 384kHz (8/16/24/32bits per Sample) DSD Native: DSD64(1bit 2.8MHz), Stereo / DSD128(1bit 5.6MHz), Stereo / DSD256(1bit 11.2MHz), Stereo
Output Level	Unbalanced 2Vrms / Balanced 3Vrms (Condition No Load)
Input	USB Type-C (Supports UAC 1.0 and UAC 2.0)
Output	3.5mm (Unbalanced), 4.4mm (Balanced, Only 5-pole supported)
Dimensions	29.5mm[W] x 64.5mm[H] x 14.5mm[D]
Weight	About 1.09oz (31g)

Audio Specifications

Frequency Response	±±0.062dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalanced │ ±0.063dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) Balanced ±0.066dB (Condition : 20Hz~70kHz) Unbalanced │ ±0.067dB (Condition : 20Hz~70kHz) Balanced
Signal to Noise Ratio	118dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ 118dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
Crosstalk	-134dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ -136dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
THD+N	0.0005% @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ 0.0009% @ 1kHz, Balanced
IMD SMPTE	0.0005% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) Unbalanced │ 0.0004% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) Balanced
Output Impedance	Unbalanced Out 3.5mm (0.9ohm) │ Balanced Out 4.4mm(1.6ohm