Headphone amplifier with DAC
Astell&Kern HC2

Product code: 125549
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Description

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Description

The Astell&Kern HC2 is a compact and convenient dongle DAC that allows you to enjoy high-resolution audio from your computer or mobile device. With the increasing trend of mobile phones removing headphone jacks, this USB DAC cable enables you to achieve superior sound quality with your existing headphones.

Featuring two Cirrus Logic CS43198 MasterHIFI DACs, the Astell&Kern USB DAC cable supports high-resolution audio playback up to DSD256 and 32-bit/384kHz PCM. These dual CS43198 DACs work together with an independent analog amplifier, ensuring accurate audio reproduction and delivering a rich, natural sound without any distortion. Astell&Kern's expertise in AMP development has made this possible. Despite its small size and simple design, this external cable-type DAC can adequately power high-impedance headphones with a 4Vrms output level.

The USB DAC cable by Astell&Kern features a USB-C connector, which is commonly found on the latest Android smartphones as well as Windows and Mac computers. As this DAC cable draws power from your connected playback device, there is no need for an additional charger. It is compatible with any headphones that have a 4.4mm balanced connector. Moreover, an officially certified MFi USB-C to Lightning adapter ensures compatibility with Lightning-based iOS devices.

For Android-based devices, a dedicated app will be released in the near future, allowing precise volume control for the HC2. This new Android app will also be compatible with the PEE51 USB-C DAC after a future firmware update.

Key Features:

  • Supports 4.4mm balanced output
  • Powerful 4Vrms output
  • Equipped with dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs
  • Dual shielded cable
  • Aluminum casing
  • Compatible with iOS and Android devices
  • Additional Android app for detailed volume control

Package Includes:

  • DAC
  • Documentation
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Characteristics

Characteristics

Headphone output
4.4mm jack
Output connectors
4.4mm jack
DAC chip

The chip used for digital-to-analog conversion

Glossary of terms
CS43198
DAC bit depth, bits
32
Internal DAC
yes
Sampling rate, kHz

The sampling frequency of a time-continuous signal during its sampling

Glossary of terms
384
DSD support

Direct Stream Digital is a single bit audio format developed by Sony and Philips. It uses density-pulse modulation coding (a kind of sigma-delta modulation) and is used to store records on SACD

Glossary of terms
yes
Circuit design
discrete

The circuit with transistors used.

Словарь терминов
Color
Form factor
portable
Input connectors
USB-C
Material
aluminum
Playback via USB
yes

Playing music files via USB

Словарь терминов
Depth, mm
12
Height, mm
60
Width, mm
22
Weight, g
29
Service life, months
24
Warranty, months
12