AKM Develops New D/A Converter with Headphone Amplifier, Enabling DSD Playback on Smartphones
Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) has developed a 32-bit stereo D/A converter with headphone amplifier, the AK4377, enabling playback of DSD sound sources in smartphones or portable music players.
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"VELVET SOUND(TM)" architecture High Sound Quality 32-bit Advanced Stereo D/A Converter with Headphone Amplifier (Photo: Business Wire)
Product Overview
The direct stream digital (DSD) sound source format continues to gain broader acceptance as the market for high-resolution music resources expands for music distribution services. AKM has recently developed the AK4377, a 32-bit stereo digital to analog converter (DAC) with a built-in headphone amplifier that can play DSD sound sources on smart phones and portable music players.
The AK4377 is positioned above the AK4376A, which went on sale in 2017 and had an impressive portable audio track record; it offers improved signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), and total harmonic distortion + noise (THD+N).
Product Characteristics
1. High-Resolution Support | DSD256 Input Support
In
addition to a maximum digital PCM input of 768 kHz, the AK4377 also
offers support for DSD inputs up to DSD256. This produces faithful
reproductions of the original sounds, which require the large amounts of
data that are characteristic of high-resolution sound sources.
2. Further Improvements for Audio Performance
The AK4377 DAC
with a built-in headphone amplifier has achieved the highest industry
standards, with a THD+N of -109 dB and an SNR of 128 dB. Of particular
importance is the THD+N value, which presents flat characteristics at or
below -105 dB for the full audible range. This offers greater fidelity
for original sound reproductions.
3. Using the VELVET SOUND Architecture, for the Advanced Audio
Quality Technology Needed for Live Sound
Using the VELVET
SOUND architecture, which is a component of premium DACs designed
for high-end audio equipment, the AK4377 achieves greater refinement in
sound reproduction.
About AKM
Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) is a Japan-based company designs and manufactures CMOS mixed signal integrated circuits and magnetic sensors for applications including audio, multimedia, consumer electronics, industrial infrastructure, and telecommunications. AKM has continued to provide customers with optimum solutions all over the world for over 30 years. AKM Semiconductor, Inc., located in San Jose, California, is a wholly owned subsidiary of AKM, and offers sales, marketing, and design support for North American customers. Additional information is available at www.akm.com
About "VELVET SOUND"
VELVET SOUND is a brand concept of, “sound philosophy”, given to AKM’s new generation of audio devices and, “new architecture & core technologies”. A new circuit is designed to, “balance the amount of information and intensity”, and, “focus on the original sound”, to achieve rich musicality and high performance. This circuit contains specifications and features suitable for the high-resolution audio era.
* AKM and VELVET SOUND™ are trademarks of Asahi Kasei Microdevices
Corporation in Japan, Europe and the United States.
* Appellations,
company names and product names on this page are trademarks or
registered trademarks of respective companies.
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