Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Audio / Video
  3. News

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Astell&Kern’s latest mobile DAC gets dual outputs, AKM chip

By
Astell&Kern AK HC4 USB DAC and headphone amp.
Astell&Kern

Astell&Kern (A&K)’s newest USB headphone DAC/amp for mobile devices and computers represents a pretty big leap in design compared to the company’s previous models. The $220 AK HC4 USB DAC is the company’s first to offer dual outputs — a balanced 4.4mm jack and an unbalanced 3.5mm jack, following a trend that has been catching on fast during 2023. It will be available in December through retailers that carry A&K products.

With support for up to DSD 256 and PCM at 32-bit/384kHz, the AK HC4 will be able to play just about any digital audio you can throw at it, except for MQA. It turns out that the decision to use an AK4493S DAC from AKM — another first for A&K’s headphone DACs — has meant dropping support for the largely Tidal-only format. If MQA is critical, the HC3 (which uses an ESS DAC) might be a better choice.

Astell&Kern AK HC4 USB DAC and headphone amp.
Astell&Kern

The AK HC4 also sports several other features that help it stand out when compared to its siblings (like the HC3, HC2, and Dual-cable DAC) and its rivals. The HC4 has traded a hardwired design for a more versatile USB-C port. With an included USB-C cable and a Lightning cable, you can swap between iPhones, iPads, and other devices without adding an awkward plug adapter. It also means that if the cable is damaged, you don’t need to replace the whole unit.

Astell&Kern AK HC4 USB DAC and headphone amp.
Astell&Kern

An integrated volume rocker lets you control amplification without relying on your phone’s settings. The HC4 is also compatible with USB Audio Class (UAC) 1.0 and 2.0, which means you can use it on a wide variety of game consoles that still use the older UAC setting.

Recommended Videos

Astell & Kern has added its Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) technology to the AK HC4, which it claims can deliver delicate and analog-like original sound when playing digital music with lower sample rates. Toggle the dedicated switch to turn DAR on and the algorithm will upsample any content you’re playing.

Related

As long as MQA support isn’t a must-have, at $220, the AK HC4 is more affordable than the Ifi Go Bar ($329) and the Questyle M15 ($299) — two high-end DACs with dual outputs.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Simon Cohen
Simon Cohen
Contributing Editor, A/V
Simon Cohen covers a variety of consumer technologies, but has a special interest in audio and video products, like spatial…
How to make AirPods and AirPods Pro louder and adjust volume settings
On-screen volume adjustment for AirPods using Spotify.

AirPods have become the top choice for wireless earbuds among most people because of their unmatched sound quality and innovative features such as Spatial Audio, which provides an immersive audio experience. And, of course, Apple’s marketing has also played a significant role in promoting their popularity.

If you’re looking for ways to adjust the volume on your AirPods or AirPods Pro, there are several options available. You can use your favorite apps that support AirPods, ask Siri to do it, or use the buttons and features on your devices and the AirPods themselves. Any of the options will help to ensure you get the best out of your AirPods.

Read more
Best soundbar deals: Save on Bose, Samsung, Vizio, and more
The Samsung Q-Series 11.1.4-channel surround sound system set up in a luxurious living room.

Purchasing one of the best soundbars can add a deeper dimension to your TV experience, and it can make a great addition if you’re working on a larger home theater setup. Soundbars can also be quite affordable, with some of the best soundbar deals including the likes of Bose deals, Sonos deals, and Sony deals, among others. We’ve tracked down all of the best soundbar deals you can shop right now, so read onward for more details. If you’re yet to have found the perfect TV for your viewing experience, it’s worth looking at the best TV deals taking place right now, and if you’d like to go even further with your home theater setup there are plenty of subwoofer deals to choose from as well.
Sony S100F 2.0-channel soundbar -- $98, was $130

The Sony S100F 2.0-channel soundbar is as simple as soundbars can come, with two channels -- the standard left and right -- that you can link to your TV through an HDMI ARC connection or to your mobile devices through Bluetooth. It may have a compact design, but it will deliver improved audio quality while you're watching TV shows or movies, and it features Sony's S-Force Pro Front Surround technology that fills your room with sound.

Read more
How to charge AirPods wirelessly or with a power cable
Apple AirPods Pro 2 inside their charging case.

One of the best features of Apple AirPods is the ability to toss the buds inside the MagSafe charging case when the battery gets low. to charge things up. Thanks to Apple’s speedy charging rates, just five minutes inside the case will give you one hour of listening time (for the AirPods Pro). You’ll also be able to store up to 30 extra charge hours in a MagSafe case, compared to the five to six hours of battery the AirPods deliver when fully charged.

Like the AirPods themselves, the MagSafe case is going to run out of battery. When it does though, you’ll be able to recharge the case using either a Lightning USB cable, USB-C if you happen to get your hands on the newest AirPods Pro, or wireless charging (in some cases). Here’s how to charge your AirPods.

Read more