About the Astell & Kern HC2
A small DAC built for audiophile sound
A small DAC built for audiophile sound
Astell&Kern are well-known for their high-quality portable high-resolution music players. The company threw the audio world a curveball last year when they released their first-ever portable digital-to-analog converter. I was incredibly impressed with its performance and the value it offered. The HC2 is A&K's second-generation portable USB DAC, and it cranks everything its predecessor did "up to eleven" for enthusiasts of hi-fi headphone sound.
Note: The HC2 features only a balanced 4.4mm headphone output. You'll need headphones with a 4.4mm connector, or to add a third-party 3.5mm adapter (not included).
This sleek DAC features refined internal components, twin high-performance DAC chips, and a durable noise blocking cable to help you get the most out of your tunes. Astell&Kern even made a dedicated app for it that gives you better control over the DAC's volume.
Twin DAC chips for premium performance
There are two next-generation Cirrus Logic CS43198 MasterHIFI™ digital-to-analog converter chips housed inside the HC2's aluminum body. That's a pretty big deal, considering MasterHIFI DAC chips are often only found on high-end components. Each high-performance chip has low jitter (a form of digital distortion), low analog total harmonic distortion, and a patented DSD processor. That's right — this mean machine supports both PCM and DSD.
The DAC chips are separate and have their own independent signal pathways. One chip is for the left channel and the other is for the right. Having separate signal pathways for the left and right channels reduces the amount of inter-channel crosstalk (which can muddy sound) and gives better stereo separation and soundstage imaging.
High-quality headphone amplifier
Astell&Kern went all-out on the HC2's internal design. As mentioned above, the left and right amplifier channels are each fed by a dedicated DAC chip. And each uses hand-picked resistors and tantalum capacitors to keep the overall size small without compromising on audio performance. The amplifiers aren't shy on power either. This DAC dishes out about 4 volts at maximum output and can drive all but the most power-hungry of headphones.
App-based volume control for fine adjustments
Sometimes smartphones crank the volume all the way up as soon as a USB DAC gets connected. Astell&Kern designed a companion Android™ app for the HC2 to work around that issue. The app's sleek interface lets you make smooth, precise volume adjustments.
Product highlights:
- portable USB digital-to-analog converter
- twin Cirrus Logic CS43198 MasterHIFI™ 32-bit digital-to-analog converter chips
- supports headphones or earbuds with a 4.4mm connector
- no onboard 3.5mm connection; third-party adapter required
- uses hand-picked micro resistors and tantalum capacitors to suppress power fluctuations
- works with most USB-C devices, including Android smartphones and Windows® and Mac® computers
- Lightning® adapter for iPhone® included
- custom 4-core, dual-shielded cable helps block potential noise
- supported sample rates:
- PCM: up to 32-bit/384kHz
- DSD: up to 11.2 MHz (DSD256)
Other info:
- durable aluminum chassis
- supports headphones with in-line microphones and remotes, but in-line mics and controls will be disabled
- 4-volt RMS output
- frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz
- signal-to-noise ratio: 122 dB
- total harmonic distortion: 0.0004% @ 1kHz
- output impedance: 1.5 ohms
Dimensions and warranty:
- 4.4mm headphone module: 13/16"W x 7/16"H x 2-5/16"D
- USB plug: 7/16"W x 1/4"H x 13/16"D
- weight: 0.06 lbs.
- warranty: 1 year
- Our 60-day money-back guarantee
- MFR # 3PEE520CCMDSN1
What's in the box:
Astell & Kern HC2 owner's manual
- USB DAC with attached 2.5" cable (male USB-C plug)
- Adapter plug (female USB-C on one end and Apple Lightning connector on other end)
- Manual
- Warranty booklet
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More details on the Astell & Kern HC2
Features & specs
| Design | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Portable | |
| Built-in Rechargable Battery | No | |
| Built-in Headphone Amplifier | ||
| Output Power | 4V | |
| Output Impedance (Unbalanced) | N/A | |
| Output Impedance (Balanced) | 1.5 ohms | |
| Audio Specs | ||
| Bit Depth (USB) | 32 | |
| Max Sampling Rate (USB) | 384 kHz | |
| Bit Depth (S/PDIF) | 0 | |
| Max Sampling Rate S/PDIF | N/A | |
| S/N Ratio (Unbalanced, in dB) | 0 | |
| S/N Ratio (Balanced, in dB) | 122 | |
| THD (Unbalanced) | N/A | |
| THD (Balanced) | 0.0004% | |
| Supported File Types | ||
| PCM | Up to 384kHz | |
| DSD | DSD 256 | |
| DXD | N/A | |
| MQA | No | |
| Inputs | ||
| Total Inputs | 1 | |
| USB | USB-C | |
| Optical Digital | None | |
| Coaxial Digital | None | |
| 3.5mm Digital | None | |
| Stereo RCA Analog | None | |
| Stereo 3.5mm Analog | None | |
| Stereo XLR Analog | None | |
| Headphone Outputs | ||
| 3.5mm Unbalanced | None | |
| 1/4-inch Unbalanced | None | |
| 4.4mm Balanced | 1 | |
| XLR4 Balanced | None | |
| Other Headphone Outs | None | |
| Line Level & Digital Outs | ||
| RCA Line Out | None | |
| 3.5mm Line Out | None | |
| XLR Line Out | None | |
| Subwoofer Out | None | |
| Optical Digital Out | None | |
| Coaxial Digital Out | None | |
| Wireless Connectivity | ||
| Bluetooth | No | |
| Wi-Fi | No | |
| Apple-compatible | No | |
| Android-compatible | No | |
| General Info | ||
| Width (inches) | 0-15/16 | |
| Height (inches) | 0-1/2 | |
| Depth (inches) | 2-7/16 | |
| Weight | 1.05 lbs. | |
| Parts Warranty | 90 Days | |
| Labor Warranty | 90 Days | |
Product Research
Features
Overview: The Astell & Kern AK HC2 USB-C Dual DAC Amplifier Cable is a small, but powerful Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) and headphone amplifier. It is designed to provide your smartphone or computer with the high quality sound of an A&K digital audio player (DAP). It works with devices with USB-C output, and with Apple iPhones and iPads using the included USB-to-Lightning adapter. The AK HC 2 has a USB-C input and a balanced 4.4mm output with a 2-1/2" connecting cable. Dimensions: Width 0.899" x Height 0.478" x Length 1.977"; Weight 1.05 ounces.
Construction: The USB-C Dual DAC Cable features full metal construction of refined aluminum with a dark silver finish. The main body and the USB-C plug have a hexagonal prism shape, similar to the Astell & Kern digital audio players. The body and USB plug are connected by a dual-shielded, tin-coated copper cable with an aluminum film to block noise.
Digital-to-Analog Converters: Like its predecessor, the HC1, the AK HC2 is equipped with two Cirrus Logic CS43198 Master HIFI™ DACs -- one for the left channel, and one for the right. The DACs support playback resolution of up to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256. You can listen to premium, high-resolution audio files stored on your computer or smartphone. In addition, the HC2's circuit board features the same micro resistors and tantalum capacitors created for and used in A&K A&norma range of Digital Audio Players to bring the famous signature sound of Astell & Kern to your devices. With the 4.4mm balanced output, the HC2 features lower noise, better channel separation, and higher output.
Roon Tested: The AK HC2 has been certified to be Roon Tested, having been profiled by the Roon Labs for playing your music with the best possible sound quality with ease of setup and use.
Headphone Amp: Years of expertise in amplifier design helped in developing a headphone amplifier that can sufficiently drive high-impedance headphones. The tiny AK HC2 has a powerful 4Vrms output (Condition No Load).
Compatibility: USB-C connections can be found on the latest Android-based smartphones and tablets, as well as Windows (Windows 10 & 11) and Mac (macOS) computers. With the included USB-C -to- Lightning adapter, the AK HC2 is now compatible with iOS devices (iPhone, iPad). The DAC Cable has no volume control of its own, so you should check the volume on your connected device before listening. A dedicated app designed for Android devices can be downloaded for detailed volume control. The device has no internal battery, and draws its power from the connected playback device, so you don't need a separate charger. The headphone output supports any headphone or earphone with a balanced 4.4mm connector. Any in-line controller or microphone features of TRRS headphones are not supported.
Note: The HC2 is not recommended for use with Astell & Kern digital audio players as an external DAC, because the output volume of the player will be fixed at the maximum setting and cannot be adjusted.
AK HC App: The AK HC app is designed to control the volume of the Astell & Kern USB DAC Cable in Android devices. The app features a 64-level volume control and mute function that are easy to operate. It also displays connected device information. The AK HC app is compatible with the AK HC2, as well as the HC1 (PEE51) model, and can be downloaded to Android devices 7.0 and up.
Specifications:
- Sample Rate:
- PCM: Support up to 32-bit/384kHz
- DSD Native: DSD64 (1-bit/2.8MHz), DSD128 (1-bit/5.6MHz), DSD256 (1-bit/11.2MHz)
- Frequency Response: ±0.011 (Condition: 20Hz - 20kHz); ±0.145dB (Condition: 20Hz - 70kHz)
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 122dB (@ 1kHz, Balanced)
- THD+N: 0.0004% (@ 1kHz, Balanced)
- IMD SMPTE: 0.0003% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) Balanced
- Output Impedance: 1.5Ω
- Output Level: 4 Vrms (Condition No Load)
- Input: USB Type-C (for Windows 10/11, macOS, Android smartphone/tablet, iOS devices with included adapter)
- Output: 4.4mm headphone (Balanced)
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A terrific traveling companion to link downloads to my Oppo PM-1.
David from Fairfax, VA