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AK HC4
Astell&Kern Discontinued

AK HC4

A compact USB-C DAC cable with an AKM AK4493S chip and a headphone amp, offering 3.5mm unbalanced and 4.4mm balanced outputs. It suits smartphone, PC and game-console users who want better sound from wired IEMs and headphones.

  • AKM AK4493S DAC, PCM up to 32bit/384kHz, native DSD256
  • 3.5mm unbalanced (2Vrms) and 4.4mm balanced (3Vrms) outputs
  • DAR upsampling with slide switch and LED status indicator
  • UAC 1.0 and 2.0 support for consoles, phones and PCs
  • Interchangeable Type-C and Lightning cable included
  • Aluminum body, 31g, Roon Tested
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Description

The HC4 is a small USB DAC and amplifier built into a cable. It uses an AKM AK4493S converter and a dedicated amp circuit, and it handles PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD up to DSD256. Two headphone outputs are fitted, a 3.5mm unbalanced jack and a 4.4mm balanced jack, so most IEMs and headphones can be plugged in without adapters.

A Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) function upsamples playback to 352.8kHz or 384kHz for PCM and to DSD256 for lower DSD rates. It is switched on or off with a slide key on the side. A front LED shows the playback state: white for standby, red for PCM, blue for DSD and green for UAC 1.0. The DAC is placed at the rear output end of the cable, after a dual-shielded cable run, to keep noise down.

The cable is interchangeable, with both USB Type-C and Lightning versions supplied, so it works with Android and iOS devices, Windows 10/11 and macOS. It supports both UAC 1.0 and UAC 2.0, which allows use with game consoles such as PlayStation and Switch. It is Roon Tested.

Video

Specifications

Brand
Astell&Kern
Model
AK HC4
Category
Headphones

Audio

DAC
AKM AK4493S
PCM sample rate
8kHz ~ 384kHz (8/16/24/32bits per Sample)
DSD (native)
DSD64 (2.8MHz), DSD128 (5.6MHz), DSD256 (11.2MHz), Stereo
Digital Audio Remaster (PCM)
44.1kHz range to 352.8kHz; 48kHz range to 384kHz
Digital Audio Remaster (DSD)
Files below DSD256 upconverted to DSD256
Frequency response (20Hz~20kHz)
±0.062dB Unbalanced / ±0.063dB Balanced
Frequency response (20Hz~70kHz)
±0.066dB Unbalanced / ±0.067dB Balanced
Signal to noise ratio
118dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 118dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
Crosstalk
-134dB @ 1kHz Unbalanced / -136dB @ 1kHz Balanced
THD+N
0.0005% @ 1kHz Unbalanced / 0.0009% @ 1kHz Balanced
IMD SMPTE
0.0005% Unbalanced / 0.0004% Balanced (800Hz 10kHz, 4:1)

Outputs

Headphone outputs
3.5mm (Unbalanced), 4.4mm (Balanced, Only 5-pole supported)
Output level (no load)
Unbalanced 2Vrms / Balanced 3Vrms
Output impedance
Unbalanced 3.5mm 0.9ohm / Balanced 4.4mm 1.6ohm

Connectivity

Input
USB Type-C (Supports UAC 1.0 and UAC 2.0)
Cable
Interchangeable Type-C / Lightning cable
Compatibility
Android and iOS devices, Windows 10/11, macOS

Physical

Body color
Moon Silver
Body material
Aluminum
Dimensions
29.5mm[W] x 64.5mm[H] x 14.5mm[D]
Weight
About 1.09oz (31g)

In the box

Cables
Type-C / Lightning cable included

Data: astellnkern.com; photos: Astell&Kern product page · updated 2026-10-12 · Found a mistake? Write to us