At the heart of the Astell&Kern AK USB-C DUAL DAC Cable (£109) sit two Cirrus Logic CS43198 MasterHIFi DACs which support high-resolution audio playback up to native DSD256 and 32bit/384kHz. The dual DACs are paired with an independent analogue amplifier, designed for Android smartphone, Windows 10 PC, tablet PC or MacOS computers* and have the “power to sufficiently drive a variety of high impedance headphones with a 2Vrms (condition no load) output level.”
A 4-core cable is designed to withstand the vagaries of life on-the-go and to reduce signal interference for the cleanest audio possible. With Technora aramid fibre at its core to block external noise, thick silver-plated copper is wrapped around the centre strand, with a further layer of copper added in a spiral arrangement.
The AK USB-C Dual DAC Cable boasts an angled surface design that follows the ‘light and shadow’ concept employed throughout all Astell&Kern products. The smooth, polished zinc alloy body offers a reassuring premium feel and bulletproof protection for life on-the-road.
* iOS-based devices, such as iPhones and iPads are currently not supported. A dual DAC cable requires more current to run than a single DAC cable. Current iOS devices limit the amount of current exported and so don’t provide enough current to power a dual DAC configuration.