AKM Debuts New Flagship DAC AK4499EX At HIGH END Munich 2022
Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) will present its new AK4499EX flagship stereo digital to analogue converter (DAC) for the first time at the IPS/ High End 2022 Show in Munich.
The VELVET SOUND | VERITA AK4499EX is said to feature a new design with a complete separation of digital and analogue circuitry that "brings the sound experience to the next level."
The AK4499EX is based on its AK4499 Current Output DAC predecessor. The Japanese-based company says the new design uses the "latest high-quality sound technology" and a separate digital/ analogue solution to achieve a sound experience as close to the original as possible. We're told that, when used in conjunction with the delta-sigma modulator AK4191, the AK4499EX is the ideal analogue 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.
AKM states that the AK4499EX has a signal-to-noise ratio of 135 dB per channel (A-wtd.) and a total harmonic distortion (THD) of -124 dB, which exceeds those of its predecessor.
The new DAC's natural sonics result from the newly developed "DWA (Data Weighted Averaging) Routing Technology", which suppresses noise caused by manufacturing process factors. In addition, 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 analogue portions of the clocking. In addition, AKM says that the design was further refined based on its latest high-quality sound design techniques.
Daishin Kashimoto, 1st Concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmoniker, as brand ambassador for VELVET SOUND
Volume production of the AK4499EX is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2022 but you are invited to listen to the AK4499EX at AKM's booth at IPS (International Parts + Supply), which will be held in conjunction with High End Munich 2022. We are certainly going to drop by.
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.
Jay Garrett
StereoNET’s resident rock star, bass player, and gadget junkie. Jay heads up StereoNET as Editor for the United Kingdom and Europe regions. His passion for gadgets and Hi-Fi is second only to being a touring musician.
Posted in: Hi-Fi | Technology | Industry | HiFi Show
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