ASTELL&KERN AK USB-C DUAL DAC CABLE

Astell&Kern, the manufacturer of portable high-resolution audio devices, has introduced the Astell&Kern AK USB-C Dual DAC Cable for smartphones, tablets and PCs.

Joining the company’s line-up of portable digital audio players (DAPs) and headphones, the Astell&Kern AK USB-C Dual DAC Cable compact audio accessory is designed to improve the sonic performance from an Android smartphone, Windows 10 PC, tablet PC or MacOS computer. iOS-based devices, such as iPhones and iPads are currently not supported. A dual DAC cable requires more current to run than a single DAC cable. Current iOS devices limit the amount of current exported and so don’t provide enough current to power a dual DAC configuration.

The new Astell&Kern AK USB-C Dual DAC Cable for smartphones, PCs and tablets

HEADPHONES AND SMARTPHONES

With leading smartphone manufacturers now omitting headphones jacks and including low-performance DACs, and with popular streaming services offering high-resolution quality tracks, enjoying high-quality music playback on-the-go or on your desktop is becoming increasingly tricky. Simply plug the Astell&Kern AK USB-C Dual DAC Cable into the USB-C input on your device and connect a pair of 3.5mm jack headphones.

DUAL DAC

At the heart of the Astell&Kern AK USB-C DUAL DAC Cable sit two Cirrus Logic CS43198 MasterHIFi™ DACs which support high-resolution audio playback up to native DSD256 and 32bit/384kHz. Astell&Kern was able create a highly integrated circuit design to fit into a diminutive, chewing gum packet-sized (17mm x 50mm x 10.3mm) chassis. Elsewhere, Astell&Kern’s bespoke designed capacitors, that also feature in its range of high-performance DAPs, optimise the audio circuit to suppress power fluctuations and provide stable operation.

The dual DACs are paired with an independent analogue amplifier toy drive a variety of high impedance headphones with a 2Vrms (Condition No Load) output level.

NOISE-SHIELDED CABLE

A custom-made, durable, 4-core cable is designed to withstand life on-the-go and to reduce signal interference. With Technora aramid fibre at its core to block external noise, thick silver-plated copper is wrapped around this centre strand, with a further layer of copper added in a spiral arrangement. Separate shielding treatment is applied to the cable to block distortion and digital and analogue signal noise from the playback device.

The Astell&Kern AK USB-C Dual DAC Cable

ASTELL&KERN AK USB-C DUAL DAC CABLE DESIGN

The AKUSB-C Dual DAC Cable has an angled surface design that follows the ‘light and shadow’ concept employed throughout all Astell&Kern products.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Body material: Zinc Alloy

Body colour: Titan

DAC: Cirrus Logic CS43198 x 2

Sample Rate:

PCM: Support up to 32bit/384kHz

DSD Native: DSD64(1bit 2.8MHz), Stereo / DSD128(1bit 5.6MHz), Stereo / DSD256(1bit 11.2MHz), Stereo

Input: USB Type-C Input
(for Windows 10, Android Smartphone & Tablet PC, macOS)

Output: 3.5mm headphone

Dimensions:

USB Plug: 12mm[W] x 20mm[H] x 8.2mm[D]

3.5mm Headphone: 17mm[W] x 50mm[H] x 10.3mm[D]

Weight: Approx. 25g

Frequency response: ± 0.030 (Condition: 20 Hz~20 kHz)

S/N: 118dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced

THD+N: 0.0004% @ 1kHz, Unbalanced

IMD SMPTE: 0.0003% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) Unbalanced

Output impedance: 2ohm

Output power or voltage: 2Vrms (condition no load)

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The Astell&Kern AK USB-C Dual DAC Cable is priced £109 and will be available from April in the UK and from May at $149 in the USA

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