AKM Releases AK4493, Upgraded Premium High-End DAC

AKM 32-bit Stereo Premium D/A Converter for High-end Audio introduced in CES 2018

Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) has developed the AK4493EQ, a 32-bit stereo premium D/A converter, and it will be available on the market in January 2018, as an upgrade from the AK4490EQ, which is adopted by many audio products since it was launched in 2014.

The AK4493EQ adopts improved VELVET SOUND architecture, achieving high performances even greater than the AK4490EQ by optimising the circuit design. The AK4493EQ also adopts AKM’s same original dedicated audio process as the flagship DAC, the VERITA AK4497EQ. This process has improved the original acoustic sound expression that can be found in the sound strength and the data amount. In addition, the AK4493EQ corresponds to the high-resolution sound sources, accepting a 22.4MHz DSD input at the maximum.

The AK4493EQ will be introduced in CES 2018 that is held from 9 January 2018 at Las Vegas, NV, USA.

Features

1. Dynamic Sound Playback with Large Amounts of Playback Information: VELVET SOUND architecture is improved

Not only the circuit design, but also the LSI manufacturing process was developed at AKM exclusively for AKM’s audio devices. The AK4493EQ adopts this process, improving low frequency noise performance and electric margin. 32-bit processing is integrated for the IRD, (Impulse Response Designed), filter, reproducing a detailed and natural signal wave. A harmonic sound filter was newly added to the existing five filters found in its previous generation device. Six different digital filter types are selectable according to the user’s audio and system preferences.

2. Even Higher Performance than the AKM’s Best Selling DAC, the AK4490EQ

Low-distortion technology achieves -113dB THD+N DAC with a 123dB* S/N characteristic. The AK4493EQ has higher performance than the AK4490EQ. In addition, OSRD, (Over Sampling Ratio Doubler), technology greatly reduces out of band noise.
*126dB in Mono mode.

3. Supporting High Resolution Data

An industry first, a 22.4MHz DSD input is now supported. The digital input supports up to 768 kHz PCM and 22.4 MHz DSD, (Direct Stream Digital), recreating high-resolution sound that is as close as possible to the original acoustic source.