Astell&Kern / AK HC4

The "AK HC4" is a portable USB-DAC equipped with an AKM AK4493S DAC, 3.5mm/4.4mm dual output, and a real-time upsampling function "DAR" that supports connection to home game consoles with a UAC2.0/UAC1.0 switching function.

■[Hi-Fi Sound on the Move] Portable USB-DAC with advanced technology
・The AK HC4 is a Hi-Fi portable USB-DAC with a detachable USB cable and dual outputs of 3.5mm unbalanced/4.4mm balanced (5-pole GND wiring). Two dual noise shielded cables, Type-C and Lightning, are included. Achieves high S/N, low distortion, and low crosstalk while ensuring high output of unbalanced 2Vrms and balanced 3Vrms. It offers a different sound and convenience from the cable-integrated AK HC2 and AK HC3. Equipped with AKM's 32-bit DAC AK4493S, which combines ultra-low distortion and low power consumption. It also features a real-time upsampling function "DAR" (Digital Audio Remaster).In addition, the AK HC4 is equipped with a UAC2.0/UAC1.0 switching function and can also be connected to home game consoles. The AK HC4 allows you to easily enjoy all content, from Hi-Fi audio streaming services and video distribution to games, with sound that is faithful to the original sound of Astell&Kern.

■High-resolution sound with AKM's 32-bit DAC AK4493S
・AK HC4 is the first AK HC portable USB-DAC series to feature an AKM 32-bit DAC. The "AK4493S" used in AK HC4 is a DAC that combines ultra-low distortion and low power consumption. In addition, it is enhanced by Astell&Kern's unique noise control technology, low power consumption design, and ultra-precise amplifier design technology to achieve high-quality Hi-Fi sound. It supports native playback of PCM384KHz/32bit and DSD256, allowing you to experience high-definition sound.
*To play high-resolution audio sources with high bit rates, separate music playback software may be required. Also, if you are using a Windows PC, you will need to install the USB-DAC driver. Please refer to the support page.

■High-precision DAC and amplifier design for Hi-Fi sound
- To obtain stable 3.5mm/4.4mm dual output and high-quality Hi-Fi sound, the AK HC4 introduces a unique amplifier circuit that surpasses the amplifier built into a standard DAC. Ultra-small resistors and capacitors are used to achieve superior sound while maintaining a compact, lightweight, and easy-to-carry design.In addition, we have achieved optimal audio circuit design by using ultra-small tantalum capacitors, which are used in AK player products to suppress power supply fluctuations and produce stable system and audio performance. Furthermore, our unique power management technology minimizes current consumption for connected devices, improving output and audio performance.

■3.5mm/4.4mm dual output
・AK HC4 is equipped with dual outputs of 3.5mm 3-pole unbalanced and 4.4mm 5-pole balanced (5-pole GND wiring). The 3.5mm unbalanced output ensures a high output of 2Vrms, and the 4.4mm balanced output ensures a high output of 3Vrms while achieving high S/N, low distortion, and low crosstalk, thereby bringing out the performance of connected devices, from high-sensitivity IEMs to high-impedance headphones.

■DAR (Digital Audio Remaster) technology makes the original sound more vivid
・The AK HC4 is equipped with DAR (Digital Audio Remaster) technology, a real-time upsampling function that uses AKM's sample rate converter AK4137EQ, which was previously only available on Astell&Kern's latest digital audio players. This DAR function was developed to exceed the limitations of the sound source format by upsampling the sampling rate of the sound source being played in real time.The high sampling rate enables more sophisticated sound source playback, providing a delicate, analog-like sound, and supporting a higher level of enjoyment of the richness of harmonics, subtle differences in musical nuances, and rich resonance. The DAR function can be intuitively turned on/off using the DAR slide key on the side, allowing you to switch according to the song or your own preferences. The sampling rate of the sound source being played is upsampled to 384KHz/352.8KHz for PCM and DSD256 for DSD.

■Can be used as a gaming DAC with UAC 2.0/UAC 1.0 switching function

・The latest smartphones, tablets, and PCs support UAC 2.0 connections, but many gaming devices for home use only support UAC 1.0 connections. The AK HC4 is equipped with a UAC 2.0 and UAC 1.0 switching function and supports both connections, enabling a cross-platform sound experience. Connect the AK HC4 to a gaming device such as PlayStation or Switch and enjoy an immersive gaming experience with low latency and enhanced sound.

*Does not support 3.5mm 4-pole inline microphones.

■Rear audio output structure that suppresses noise
・The AK HC4 does not place 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 superior sound with less noise.

■Model name: AK HC4
■Body color: Moon Silver
■Body material: Aluminum
■Size (W x H x D): 29.5mm x 64.5mm x 14.5mm
■Weight: Approximately 31g
■DAC: AKM AK4493S
■Supported sampling rates
・PCM: 384KHz/32bit
・DSD: DSD256(11.2MHz/1bit) Stereo
■Input: USB Type-C (UAC 2.0 / UAC 1.0 switchable)
■Supported OS
・Windows 10, 11 / MAC OS X 10.7 or higher
・Android OS / iOS (smartphones and tablet PCs)
・Switch / PS5 (home game consoles)
■Output
・3.5mm unbalanced output (3-pole)
・4.4mm balanced output (5-pole GND connection)
■Output level (unloaded): 2Vrms (unbalanced) / 3Vrms (balanced)
■Output impedance: 0.9Ω (unbalanced 3.5mm) / 1.6Ω (balanced 4.4mm)
■Frequency response
±0.062dB (20Hz~20KHz), unbalanced / ±0.063dB (20Hz~20KHz), balanced
±0.066dB (20Hz~70KHz), unbalanced / ±0.067dB (20Hz~70KHz), balanced
■S/N ratio: 118dB @ 1KHz, unbalanced / 118dB @ 1KHz, balanced
■Crosstalk: -134dB @ 1KHz, unbalanced / -136dB @ 1KHz, balanced
■Crosstalk: -134dB @ 1KHz, unbalanced / -136dB @ 1KHz, balanced
■THD+N: 0.0005% @ 1KHz, unbalanced / 0.0009% @ 1KHz, balanced
■IMD: 0.0005% 800Hz 10KHz (4:1), unbalanced / 0.0004% 800Hz 10KHz (4:1), balanced
■Accessories: Type-C dual noise shielded cable, Lightning dual noise shielded cable
■Country of origin: Korea
■Manufacturer's warranty: 1 year for main unit / 90 days for accessories