Astell&Kern / AKHC2

Astell&Kern / AK HC2 is a portable USB-DAC cable that allows you to enjoy high quality sound easily with plug and play. Equipped with 4.4mm 5-pole balanced output, it achieves high output and amazing L/R separation. Equipped with CS43198 dual DAC, supports 384KHz/32bit and DSD256.

■Ultra-high resolution sound with CS43198 dual DAC
・AK HC2 uses a dual DAC configuration that uses two Cirrus Logic Master HIFI DACs, CS43198, which are only installed in some proven products, including the A&norma series of AK high-resolution audio players, one on each side. It achieves high S/N ratio and low distortion for stable sound quality. It supports native playback of up to PCM384KHz/32bit and DSD256, and can play ultra-high quality files and support high-resolution streaming, so you can enjoy Astell&Kern's premium Hi-Fi sound.

■The crystallization of AK's ultra-precise acoustic design technology
・With its compact size and uncompromising performance, the AK HC2 allows you to easily enjoy real Hi-Fi sound anytime, anywhere. Astell&Kern is loved by many music lovers as a high-resolution audio player that is faithful to the original sound. The technology and know-how cultivated in that player is condensed into a compact body. The resistors and capacitors are ultra-small, improving performance while miniaturizing the size. In addition, the AK HC2 is equipped with tailored ultra-small tantalum capacitors that are used in AK player products and suppress power fluctuations to achieve stable system and audio performance, forming an optimal audio circuit. In addition, while minimizing bus-powered current consumption in consideration of connected devices, it simultaneously achieves high output of 4Vrms, high S/N ratio, and low distortion. This makes it possible to drive high-impedance headphones, and conversely, even when using high-sensitivity earphones, it is possible to enjoy noise-free, low-distortion sound that is faithful to the original sound.

■Amazing L/R channel separation with 4.4mm 5-pole balanced output
・A 4.4mm 5-pole balanced output (with GND connection) is used to pursue more Hi-Fi sound with headphones and earphones. The AK HC2 achieves amazing L/R channel separation while suppressing noise as much as possible, along with high output due to balanced output. It maximizes the performance of headphones and earphones.

■Easy and convenient plug & play
・Just connect directly to a Windows PC, Mac, smartphone, or tablet with a USB Type-C port that supports plug & play to easily enjoy the excellent sound that only Astell&Kern can provide. Since it is a bus-powered system that uses power from the connected playback device, there is no need to charge it, and there is no need to connect to an external sound card, amplifier, or DAC separately. In addition, the AK HC2 comes with a USB Type-C to Lightning conversion adapter, making it compatible with iOS devices.

■Rear audio output structure that suppresses noise
・The AK HC2 does not use a DAC on the USB terminal directly connected to the device to process and output the audio signal, but instead uses a rear audio output structure that minimizes noise. The digital signal from the device enters the audio circuit via a double shielded cable and is then converted to an analog signal by the DAC. By processing the digital signal later, we have achieved excellent sound with less noise.

■High-durability dual noise shielded cable
・The AK HC2 is a model that has a directly connected cable that cannot be removed, just like the previous model PEE51 (AK HC1). It enables comprehensive sound tuning including the cable, and by reducing the number of contacts, it achieves both noise countermeasures, sound quality, and ease of use. The cable section uses a dual noise shielded cable to minimize noise and achieve clear, faithful sound to the source. The copper core wire is tin-coated to prevent corrosion and strengthen the pulling force to increase durability. In addition, the entire cable is wrapped in aluminum film and tin-plated copper wire is braided to minimize noise interference with the sound.

■Volume control function with dedicated Android app ""AK HC""
・When using the USB-DAC with an Android device, compatibility issues may occur, such as the connected device being automatically set to maximum volume or playing at a low volume. In order to solve such problems and allow more fine adjustment of the volume of the AK HC2, we have developed the volume control smartphone app ""AK HC"" (Android) for Android OS.

■Roon operation confirmed device
・The AK HC2 is a Roon tested device. It has been profiled by the Roon team to ensure easy setup and daily use. If you have a Roon-tested device or are considering purchasing one, you can use it with confidence.

■Design concept
・The design concept of the AK HC2 is ""Slope"". Considering that it is a portable accessory that can be connected to mobile devices, we have incorporated not only ease of use but also a well-balanced design, which is Astell&Kern's design philosophy. The design is easy to hold and the hexagonal pillar-shaped aluminum body, which symbolizes the powerful performance of the 4.4mm dual DAC cable, with a diagonal slope running diagonally. The sharply cut slope embodies the surface and line that are Astell&Kern's design identity, and pursues ease of connection to the headphone jack. This allows users to concentrate on the flow of the ""AK Life"" experience that unfolds by connecting earphones. The front is casually designed except for the parting line and a small logo to avoid getting in the way, completing a tough yet sophisticated finish. This is intended to allow users to concentrate on the form and shape, and to make them feel like they are holding something more than just the product.

■Color: Dark Silver
■Body material: Aluminum
■DAC: Cirrus Logic CS43198×2 (Dual-DAC)
■Supported sampling rate: PCM up to 384KHz/32bit, DSD up to DSD256(11.2MHz/1bit) stereo
■Input: USB Type-C / Lightning (using included conversion connector)
■Supported OS: Windows 10, 11 / MAC OS X 10.7 or higher, Android OS / iOS (smartphones and tablet PCs)
■Output: 4.4mm 5-pole balanced output (with GND connection)
■Size (W×H×D): USB plug part 12mm × 21mm × 6.5mm, headphone output part 22.8mm × 60mm × 12.1mm
■Weight: Approximately 29g
■Output level: Balanced 4Vrms (no load)
■Frequency response: ±0.011dB (20Hz~20kHz) Balanced, ±0.145dB (20Hz~70kHz) balanced
■S/N ratio: 122dB @ 1kHz, balanced
■Crosstalk: -146dB @ 1kHz, balanced
■THD+N: 0.0004% @ 1kHz, balanced
■IMD: 0.0003% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) balanced
■Output impedance: balanced 4.4mm (1.5Ω)
■Accessories: USB Type-C to Lightning conversion adapter
■Country of manufacture: China
■Manufacturer's warranty: 1 year for main unit / 90 days for accessories