New AKM AK4498EX Partitioned Stereo D/A Converter Now Sampling

Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) announced the new AK4498EXVQ Stereo Premium DAC that utilizes advanced Switched Capacitor Filter Voltage Output Velvet Sound technology. Like the existing AK4499EXEQ, launched in 2022 as part of AKM's two-chip solution, when paired with the AK4191EQ separate digital filter with multi-bit sigma delta modulator, the new AK4498EXVQ also delivers a completely partitioned digital and analog architecture to improve noise isolation, enabling analog conversion from ultra-high-resolution audio sources, including DSD.

Linkplay Technology launched the WiiM Pro Plus, an upgraded version of its successful WiiM Pro audio streamer. Listening to the market, the new WiiM Pro Plus now offers a premium AKM DAC built-in, and takes home audio to a new level featuring enhanced audio-quality, all within the same simple and cost-effective package. The WiiM Pro Plus is designed to reduce the total system cost, allowing music enthusiasts to create a high-res streaming audio system that extends existing equipment, for a fraction of the cost of buying a new setup, additional cables or an external DAC.

As anticipated, Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) has released to production the new flagship stereo D/A converter (DAC), the Velvet Sound Verita AK4499EX, showcased at the High End Munich show in May 2022. Alongside the AK4499EX, AKM has also released the AK4191 Digital Filter and ΔΣ Modulator, completing a two-chip solution that makes it easy to improve performance with completely independent digital and analog circuitry.

The new flagship DAC Velvet Sound | Veritas AK4499EX and the previously announced premium DAC AK4493S are two of the latest products developed by Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) to be unveiled for the first time at the High End Show 2022. AKM will exhibit at the International Parts+Supply (IPS) section of the show in Munich, Germany, showcasing all the new-generation products, as the Japanese company gradually resumes production and shipments.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) has totally redesigned the AK4490 D/A converter (DAC) and its higher-end counterpart, AK4493, as new products under the Velvet Sound brand. Following the recent announcement that AKM has resumed sample shipments of 13 Velvet Sound A/D and D/A converters, the Japanese manufacturer now relaunches the AK4490REQ and AK4493SEQ, 32-bit, 2 channel premium devices, with a superior signal-to-noise ratio of 120dB and 123dB, respectively.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) has resumed sample shipments of 13 Velvet Sound D/A converters (DAC) and A/D converters (ADC) products - all part of a new generation of improved devices. The samples start shipping in January 2022. Mass production is scheduled for the third quarter of 2022. The new range of devices include new 115dB and 768kHz 32-bit DACs in 2, 4, 6, and 8-channel models, plus nine new 32-bit ADCs in 2, 4, and 8 channel models including the AK5522 ADC, ideal for bus-powered USB audio interfaces.