AKM Presents New Flagship DAC AK4499EX

26/04/202226/04/2022 hifinext.com 407 Views

Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) will present its new flagship stereo D/A converter (DAC) for the first time to the public at the IPS/HIGH END 2022 Show in Munich. The AK4499EX features a new design with a complete separation of digital and analog circuitry solution that brings the sound experience to the next level.

The AK4499EX is based upon the world-class predecessor AK4499 Current Output DAC. Its design uses the latest high-quality sound technology and a separate digital/analog solution to achieve a sound experience as close to the original as possible. When used in conjunction with the delta-sigma modulator AK4191, the AK4499EX is the ideal analog conversion solution for playback of ultra-high-resolution sound sources with a sample rate of up to 1536kHz in the 64-bit PCM frequency and a 44.8MHz sample rate DSD.

AK4499EXEQ Block Diagram

An unprecedented level of natural sound

With a signal-to-noise ratio of 135dB per channel and a total harmonic distortion of -124dB, the AK4499EX achieves world-class analog characteristics that exceed those of its predecessor, allowing users to experience an unachieved level of natural sound. This is realized through the newly developed “DWA (Data Weighted Averaging) Routing Technology”, that suppresses noise caused by manufacturing process factors. The two-chip solution with the AK4499EX and the AK4191 provides high-precision D/A conversion with a low-jitter clock.

The new “asynchronous operation mode” featured in the AK4191 makes it possible to completely separate the digital and analog portions of the clocking. In addition, the design was further refined based upon AKM’s latest high-quality sound design techniques. This enhances the sound experience while at the same time achieving further noise suppression. The system reproduces all musical information, down to the most minute detail. Application fields for the new flagship DAC are for example USB DACs, CD/SACD players, wireless speaker systems, soundbars, digital audio players, electronic musical instruments, audio interfaces, and digital mixers.

Sample shipments of the AK4499EX are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2022, with volume production in the third quarter of 2022. Customers can listen to the AK4499EX at AKM’s booth at IPS (International Parts + Supply), which will be held in conjunction with HIGHEND Munich 2022. Both the new flagship DAC AK4499EX (with AK4191), and the new premium DAC AK4493S will be unveiled for listening demonstrations for the first time at the exhibition booth.