As AKM announced earlier, the new flagship stereo DAC combo solution enables audio circuits with world-class signal to noise and THD characteristics. This is made possible by the new Velvet Sound Verita AK4499EX device, based upon the world-class predecessor AK4499 Current Output DAC, combined with the AK4191 to enable a completely separate digital/analog solution. The new "asynchronous operation mode" feature in the AK4191 makes it possible to completely separate the digital and analog portions of the clocking.
The analog characteristics of the K4499EX device also exceed those of the flagship integrated D/A predecessor AK4499. The newly developed "DWA (Data Weighted Averaging) Routing Technology" suppresses noise caused by manufacturing process factors and achieves world-class analog characteristics that exceed those of the AK4499. When used in conjunction with the AK4191, the AK4499EX is the ideal analog conversion solution for playback of ultra-high-resolution sound sources, up to 1536kHz sample rate, 64-bit PCM; or 44.8MHz sample rate DSD.
In addition to adopting a completely separated digital/analog circuitry solution, the design was further refined based upon AKM's latest high-quality sound design techniques resulting in a perceived improvement of the ratio of signal to noise from all perspectives. The system reproduces all musical information, down to the most minute detail, to achieve a "sound as if you were there" experience. Specifications confirm the 135dB per channel S/N (A-weighted) and -124dB THD.
This combination was the highlight of the AKM demonstration at the 2022 High End show in Munich, which emphasized the extreme realism of the design with high-resolution audio material. After AKM starting sampling the devices, the new AK4191+AK4499EX DAC combo solution has now entered production.
Applications aiming for the highest level of quality in digital to analog conversion, particularly in new-generation USB DACs and networked digital players will most likely be the first to benefit from the new devices. But developers of networked audio, wireless speaker systems and soundbars and even audio interfaces and digital mixers are likely to realize the benefits in their new designs. AKM is now accepting volume orders.
www.akm.com
