Astell & Kern along with Bandai Namco has teamed up to introduce the special AK HC4 Idolmaster Cinderella Girls Edition USB digital-to-analog converter (DAC), aimed at fans of Idolmaster music. This DAC offers support for both USB Audio Class 1 (UAC 1) and USB Audio Class 2 (UAC 2) through USB-C, making it compatible with various smartphones, tablets, computers, and gaming consoles. It provides a low-latency, wired headphone output. The casing is made of royal blue aluminum, featuring the Idolmaster logo, and the packaging prominently displays Nao Kamiya.
High-Quality Sound Performance
The A&K is engineered to deliver high-resolution music playback while maintaining an ultra-low noise level (118 dB @ 1 KHz unbalanced, 118 dB @ 1 KHz balanced) and minimal distortion (0.0005% @ 1 KHz unbalanced, 0.0009% @ 1 KHz balanced). The 32-bit AK4493S chip allows for direct decoding of native DSD256 and 32-bit 384 kHz PCM music streams. Additionally, the Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) technology in the AK4137EQ sample rate converter upscales lower-quality PCM and DSD music streams.
Versatile Audio Connections
Audio is transmitted to headphones using standard 3.5 mm or balanced 4.4 mm connections, delivering substantial power (2 Vrms unbalanced, 3 Vrms balanced) capable of driving high-impedance headphones. The frequency reproduction is impressively accurate (+/- 0.066 dB @ 20 Hz to 70 kHz unbalanced, +/- 0.067 dB @ 20 Hz to 70 kHz balanced). The dimensions of the AK HC4 are 1.16 x 2.54 x 0.57 in. (29.5 × 64.5 × 14.5 mm), and it has a weight of 1.09 oz. (31 g).
Iriver's authorized dealers in Japan are now taking preorders for the Astell & Kern AK HC4 Idolmaster Cinderella Girls Edition USB DAC, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of 33,000 yen (~$209). The expected shipping date is January 18, 2025. For those who might not be fans of Idolmaster or Nao-chan but still seek a high-resolution USB DAC for gaming or music, the standard Astell & Kern HC4 is available for purchase on Amazon today.
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