Hi-Fi Sound Anywhere, AK HC3

Astell&Kern offers a Hi-Fi USB DAC cable product range for a true Hi-Fi experience on the go.
Designed to minimize noise with the ultra-high sound quality of integrated Hi-Fi grade DACs, it addresses the music lovers' desire for a true Hi-Fi experience when mobile.
Not content with settling for the status quo, Astell&Kern has endeavored to enable our users to enjoy more features in Hi-Fi quality.

Hi-Fi Dual DAC Cable – AK HC3
AK HC3 is the result of these efforts, and is designed to provide all the benefits of its predecessor, AK HC1 (PEE51), while enabling high-quality sound across various settings.
AK HC3 features MQA 8X rendering to allow you to play high-quality sound anytime, and the microphone input enables even more entertainment and voice features.
The dual-shielded cable and the proprietary Android app will help users experience Hi-Fi effortlessly and with no compromises.

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  ES9219MQ
  Dual DAC

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  32bit 384kHz bit to bit play

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  Native DSD

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  On/Off
  LED Indicator

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  Full Metal Body

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  Dual Noise Shielded Cable

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  MQA 8X

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  ROON TESTED

The Result of AK’s Ultra-Fine Audio Design Technology

With its compact size and uncompromising performance, the AK HC3 makes it easy to enjoy real Hi-Fi sound anytime, anywhere.

Astell&Kern is adored by countless music lovers thanks to our dedication and meticulous delivery of the original sound with our signature DAPs, or portable high resolution audio players. We included the Astell&Kern technology and know-how that has been accumulated from our DAPs over the years in this small device.

We used micro resistors and capacitor parts to achieve the small dimensions without compromising performance. Tailored ultra-small tantalum capacitors, which are used in AK player products to create a stable system and audio performance by controlling the power fluctuations, are also included to create the optimal audio circuit. In addition, the output and audio performance are enhanced with Astell&Kern's unique technology while minimizing current consumption in consideration of the connected device.

Noise-Free Rear Output Structure

AK HC3 incorporates a rear audio output design to minimize noise.
Most USB DAC products have the DAC positioned in the USB terminal that is connected directly to the device to process and output audio.

However, with the AK HC3, digital signals from the device go through the dual shielded cable to the audio circuit before being converted to an analog signal by the DAC. By processing the digital signal after, the result is superior, noise-free sound compared to other USB DAC products.

Dual Noise Shielded Cable

The AK HC3 features a dual shielded cable to minimize noise and deliver more vivid, original sound.
The copper core wire is coated with tin to prevent corrosion and strengthen tensile force for enhanced durability.

In addition, the entire cable is wrapped in an aluminum film to block noise, the biggest issue in audio, then the tin-coated copper wire is woven to
minimize noise interference to sound.

Entertaining experiences with AK HC3 and
microphone and controller support

AK HC3 has been improved to be compatible with any 3- or 4-pole 3.5-mm plug earphones and headsets, as well as in-line controller and microphone features of 4-pole earphones and headsets.
With AK HC3, you can enjoy a greater range of entertainment experiences with your mobile device.
The direct USB connection provides lower latency compared to other wireless solutions, enabling a sound performance that’s perfect for gaming. The voice chat features enhance your gaming experiences, so you can play with others, and the microphone input makes it even more useful for professional web conferencing.

Plus, the rich sound capability adds to the utility of AK HC3 by making your video experiences more realistic and immersive.

* When pairing your AK HC3 with iPhones, recording is supported for microphone input, but not supported for calls.

Precautions When Using the Product

This product is compatible with most Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, Windows 10/11 and macOS products. In some cases, it may not be compatible or may be restricted depending on the hardware, software and/or system of the device that you connect to.

When connecting to a Windows PC, the driver will automatically be recognized and installed. For high-quality sound files, you are required to install a separate USB DAC driver which can be downloaded from the Support — Download section on the website.

In order to use AK HC3 as a hardware MQA renderer, a software core decoder that supports MQA files is needed first.

4-pole earphones and headphones support CTIA devices, but OMTP is not supported.

AK HC3 may not support call features when paired with iPhones or some Android phone models with a 3.5-mm connector.

To play DSD and high-quality PCM sound files on a smartphone, you must install a separate free/paid player program that supports high-resolution audio playback. (When using the default player app on a mobile device, the file will be downsampled. Please make sure to play it with a different player app.)

Please note that the volume will be fixed to the maximum level if you allow access with Tidal and some other apps on Android devices.

Make sure to check the volume on your connected player device before using headphones or earphones. Some devices may automatically set the output level to maximum volume when the cable is connected. Listening to headphones or earphones at maximum volume may damage your hearing. Please verify the volume level before each use.

Do not connect the USB-C Dual DAC Cable to an Astell&Kern player. When connecting the cable to a player and using it as an external DAC, the output volume will be fixed at the maximum volume setting. It is not possible to adjust the volume through the Astell&Kern player. Listening at maximum or a high-volume setting may cause serious damage to your hearing. Astell&Kern, its affiliates and agencies, cannot be held liable for any damage or injuries from negligent or inappropriate use.

Firmware updates may be released periodically for stability improvements. For more information on firmware updates and to check if a firmware update is available, please visit the Support — Download section on the website.