ASTELL&KERN AK HC-2 (PEE52) Dual DAC Portable

Portable Dual DAC

The ASTELL&KERN AK HC-2 (PEE52) is Astell&Kern's new ultra-compact and extremely powerful dual DAC for audiophile headphones, designed to drastically improve the audio of iOS or Android smartphones and tablets, as well as Windows and Apple laptops. Compared to the previous AK HC1 (PEE51), this new portable DAC features a 4.4mm balanced headphone connection, allowing audiophiles and music lovers to effortlessly drive their high-resolution headphones and enjoy sound as it was conceived in the recording studio, whether on the go or at home.
Typically, the digital-to-analog conversion circuits in laptops, tablets, and smartphones are never up to par with the product they reside in, and with headphone jacks becoming a rarity in smartphones, making the most of the high-resolution audio offered by popular streaming services might not seem straightforward. But thanks to the ASTELL&KERN AK HC-2, it's possible to do so, simply and effectively.
Despite its small size, the ASTELL&KERN AK HC-2 is packed with latest-generation features, carefully designed to deliver high-quality, low-noise sound through its 4.4mm balanced headphone output. Thanks to new miniaturization technologies, Astell&Kern has managed to incorporate circuits, components, and a power stage into an ultra-compact and portable device, without any compromise.
Simply connect the ASTELL&KERN AK HC-2 to a device's USB-C input, plug in your 4.4mm balanced headphones, and lose yourself in detailed, dynamic, emotional, and realistic sound. And if you want to improve the audio performance of an iOS device, simply use the included USB-C to Lightning adapter.
At the heart of the ASTELL&KERN AK HC-2 is the dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 MasterHiFi DAC – a high-performance DAC already present in Astell&Kern's A&norma range of digital audio players, which support high-resolution playback up to native 32bit/384kHz and DSD256. The dual DAC is paired with a high-performance analog amplifier, powerful enough to effortlessly drive even high-impedance headphones. The 4.4mm balanced output benefits from lower noise, higher output power, and channel separation. Custom capacitors optimize the audio circuitry, dampening power fluctuations and optimizing output performance, while reducing the power consumption of the connected device.
In the ASTELL&KERN AK HC-2, digital signals from the device pass through the double-shielded cable to the audio circuit before being converted to an analog signal by the DAC. By processing the digital signal at a later stage, audio performance is superior and free from noise compared to other USB DAC products.
The double-shielded cable is designed to minimize noise interference and deliver the most transparent sound possible. The central copper wire is tin-plated to prevent corrosion and reinforce it against tension for greater durability, while the braided cable is wrapped in aluminum foil, which helps block noise, a persistent problem in audio reproduction.
The ASTELL&KERN AK HC-2 is Roon Tested, meaning it is a device approved by Roon to work correctly with its platform. Subscribers to this service can enjoy the endless management features of the service and the sonic qualities of this music platform. Further convenience is provided by volume control, available via the dedicated Android control App.
As is traditional for Astell&Kern products, the AK HC-2 also follows the company's unique and distinctive design. Angled surfaces meet flat surfaces, creating a play of "light and shadow" effects, while longevity and material quality are ensured by the solid polished aluminum body.

Specifications

• DAC: CS43198 Dual
• Sampling Rate: PCM 32bit/384kHz, Native DSD256
• Output Level: 4Vrms
• Audio Output: 4.4mm Balanced
• USB: Type-C
• LED: On/Off Indication
• Material: Aluminum
• Frequency Response: ±0.011dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Balanced ±0.145dB (Condition: 20Hz~70kHz) Balanced
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 122dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
• Crosstalk: -146dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
• THD+N: 0.0004% @ 1kHz, Balanced
• IMD SMPTE: 0.0003%, 800Hz 10kHz (4:1), Balanced Output Impedance: 4.4mm (1.5ohm)