{"product_id":"astell-kern-hc5","title":"Astell\u0026Kern HC5 | Portable DAC and Amp","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 40%;\" alt=\"Astell\u0026amp;Kern product logo red\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0023\/9255\/5595\/files\/astell-kern-horizontal-logo-cf203a-red.jpg?v=1676570802\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHC5 is a Next-Generation USB DAC\/Amp that Brings Astell\u0026amp;Kern’s Flagship DAC Architecture to a Compact Form\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFirst portable DAC\/amp with the AKM AK4499EX\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConstant High Driving, DAR (Digital Audio Remaster) Support\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e150-step Volume Control + 6 DAC filters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDual Noise-Shielded cable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3.5mm SE + 4.4mm BAL outputs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0023\/9255\/5595\/files\/ask-hc5-banner.webp?v=1771523150\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1360\" alt=\"AstellnKern HC5 portable dac and amp standing on black wooden table with iem cable and eversolo dac\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"bloom-take\"\u003e\n\u003ctable bgcolor=\"”#f6f6f6”\" width=\"90%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #a30e0b;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom's Take\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe HC5 brings true flagship DNA into a dongle-sized DAC\/amp, borrowing core architecture from A\u0026amp;K’s top-tier players to deliver a portable experience that feels closer to a compact DAP than a typical USB DAC. Built around the AK4191EQ + AK4499EX DAC combo, HC5 isn’t just chasing convenience, it’s aiming for genuine hi-fi performance in a pocketable form factor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSonically, HC5 captures Astell\u0026amp;Kern’s signature balance of precision and musicality, offering excellent detail retrieval with a touch of warmth that keeps it from sounding sterile. Its natural timbre, wide soundstage, and strong imaging give instruments convincing weight and vocals a lifelike presence, while a low noise floor makes it especially satisfying with sensitive IEMs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/bloomaudio.mom\/blogs\/articles\/flagship-audio-in-a-pocketable-portable-astell-kern-hc5-review\" title=\"Astell\u0026amp;Kern HC5 Review\"\u003eRead our full review\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/am2PrHBYxec?si=ZkDwH2WkU7Yi6Fzd\" title=\"YouTube video player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCompact Form. Complete Perfection.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCreated to achieve perfect sound, AK HC5 sets a new standard for USB DAC cables. The AK HC5 embodies Astell\u0026amp;Kern’s audio philosophy and precise engineering in a compact form, delivering a level of perfection beyond its predecessors. Equipped with a flagship-grade DAC and optimized power control, it delivers flawless sound performance unmatched by any other USB DAC. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBorrowing From Astell\u0026amp;Kern's Flagship DAC Architecture\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eFor the first time in a USB DAC cable, the AK4499EX DAC, previously only used in flagship DAPs, delivers top-tier sound performance.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe combination of the AK4191EQ digital processor and AK4499EX DAC perfectly separates and processes digital and analog signals, minimizing noise interference and reproducing even the finest details with precision. Experience premium, digital-audio-player–level sound quality through a USB DAC cable.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eThe High Driving Mode technology perfected in the SP4000 now powers the AK HC5, achieving exceptional sound performance in a remarkably compact form. A horizontal OPAMP layout delivers driving power on a completely different level from typical portable USB DACs. Rich density, deep spaciousness, and powerful energy, experience flagship-grade sound from a compact size.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"AstellnKern HC5 dac\/amp architecture circuit graphic\" height=\"900\" width=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0023\/9255\/5595\/files\/ak-hc5-circuit.webp?v=1764962337\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNoise Suppression Design for Pure Sound\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDue to the nature of USB DAC cables that receive power from external devices, minimizing sound degradation caused by incoming noise is essential. The AK HC5 features a dedicated amplifier with excellent PSRR (Power Supply Rejection Ratio) \/ CMRR (Common Mode Rejection Ratio) noise-suppression performance, delivering pure and clean sound no matter what device it is connected to.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDual Noise Shielded Cable\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo minimize noise and deliver clean, lifelike original sound, a Dual Noise-Shielded Cable design was adopted. The internal conductors are made of tin-plated copper wire to prevent corrosion and oxidation, while their high tensile strength enhances durability. An additional tinned copper braided shield further suppresses any remaining noise, ensuring exceptional signal purity. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVivid Sound with DAR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eDAR (Digital Audio Remaster) technology upsamples the input digital audio’s sample rate using a high-precision algorithm, delivering playback quality that surpasses the limits of the original data. This results in more detailed expression and an expanded dynamic range, reproducing natural, lifelike sound that’s closer to the original recording. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWide Compatibility\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSupporting both UAC 2.0 and 1.0, the AK HC5 ensures perfect compatibility with a wide range of devices. With UAC 1.0 mode, it can be directly connected to gaming consoles such as PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, delivering dynamic, immersive sound for gaming. From music listening to gaming, the AK HC5 provides high-resolution sound in any situation. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Astell\u0026amp;Kern HC5 DAC\/amp plugged into nintendo switch with controller on black background\" height=\"1360\" width=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0023\/9255\/5595\/files\/ak-hc5-lifestyle.webp?v=1764962144\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Astell\u0026Kern","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":41949347971147,"sku":"AK-HC5","price":489.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Open Box","offer_id":42180057956427,"sku":"AK-HC5-OB","price":440.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0023\/9255\/5595\/files\/ak-1-hc5-thumb.webp?v=1764962728","url":"https:\/\/bloomaudio.mom\/products\/astell-kern-hc5","provider":"Bloom Audio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}