Verdict
The Astell & Kern AK HC3 is an gumptious , lively plug and work DAC that ’s dewy-eyed to use , but it ’s not the most subtle or insightful performer for the request price .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Korean audio brand Astell & Kern has its fingers in many audio pies from wireless talker to headphones , meshwork player , amplifier , and DACs , such as the AK HC3 .
The Astell & Kern AK HC3 come after on from the HC1 in its aim to bring high - tone audio recording to mobile devices , its keep forMQAas well as its integrated mike input means it ’s not just music it seek to improve but entertainment and video conferencing shout out too .
It does so at a monetary value for a portable USB DAC of £ 199/$190 , which place it in the premium area for plug and plug DACs , but is that a price worth paying for the AK HC3 ? Here are my sentiment .
Design
Like theHelm Bolt DAC , the Astell & Kern AK HC3 features a lodging with flexible shielded cable that terminates at one end with aUSB - Cinput and at the other with a 3.5 millimetre output for headphones .
It does n’t come with a USB - A adapter , so this is stringently for USB - C compliant devices . That can mean Windows PC , Mac , Android , and iOS ; and given its spark plug and play nature all you ask to do is to link to get die . With iPhones pre - iPhone 15that have a Lightning port wine , you ’ll need the USB - century to Lightning Adapter ; and Astell & Kern helpfully include it in the loge .
The esthetic of the AK HC3 mirror Astell & Kern ’s other products with its contoured shape that incorporates the brand ’s “ visible light and shadow ” construct , its slant sick shadows and shine light to give it more of a 3D impression .
Made from aluminium and weighing only 20 g , it ’s a DAC that ’s lightweight and dinky in size . The flexible cable allows it to reach tight spots or turn away and contort when in role with headphones . For its size of it it ’s a good - appear piece of kit .
There ’s an LED indicator – a little one but bright enough to view during operation . It burn white in understudy , reddish when a PCM file is play , blue for DSD and Battle of Magenta for MQA .
Features
data file support includes MQA with the Astell & Kern AK HC3 acting as renderer to finish the final unfold when partnered with a decoder ( the Tidal app , for example ) ; as well as PCM up to 32 - bit/384kHz and DSD files up to DSD128 . To listen to high - Re files on screen background , you ’ll ask to download a USB DAC number one wood filing cabinet from the Astell & Kern documentation subdivision to enable playback .
Total Harmonic Noise + Distortion ( THD+N ) is rated at 0.0005 % , which is another way of articulate that signal noise during playback is very , very dispirited . It ’s a twofold - DAC design power by two ES9219MQ DACs , which is have intercourse for its high - calibre functioning and low office draw . The DAC is set in the rearward housing to minimise noise .
It ’s Roon try ( as opposed to Roon Ready ) , so it ’ll work with other Roon machine , but feature are limited compare to certified ‘ Roon Ready ’ devices .
Output impedance is 2 ohms , and it has microphone connectivity , so the AK HC3 could be used with headphones that support telecasting conferencing to improve intelligibility .
There ’s an app for Android devices , but it ’s a simple one that put up finer volume command than the Android UI can offer . inquisitively , the high loudness it can reach is 63 , which I ’m certain there ’s a reason for , but it ’s an remaining number to end at .
Performance
The Astell & Kern AK HC3 fathom warmer than I expect , which is not a rebuff against it , just an reflexion . A listen to Detach from Hans Zimmer ’s Interstellar and the bass is well - rounded , hitting with profundity and extension service that convey more plangency than a very garish portable DAC such as theCreative Sound Blaster X1 .
It presents a similar character to theTHX Onyxat times : cheeky and energetic , capable of rich bass and a painting a grownup , large-minded soundstage , though the Onyx presents low frequencies with more limpidity than the AK HC3 .
The way the AK HC3 illustrate the soundstage is with sight of power and Energy Department ; it ’s immersive and quite full on at times . Sara Bareilles ’ vocals in If I Dare occupies a heap of space up close to the listener , the midrange is crisply carry with a slight sibilance observe . The AK HC3 run its hand a little too powerfully .
John Powell ’s To The Roof from The Bourne Supremacy soundtrack finds the AK HC3 rendering the string legal instrument in laconic detail , high frequencies have a sharpened edge , the overall performance is lean , lively , and energetic . With Dan Davis ’ Exit Mr Hat from The Matrix soundtrack , the administration instrumental role sound active , although the horn glissando with the spry , repeated expression does n’t quite have that grain I hear with the Earmen Sparrow .
I would n’t report the AK HC3 as the most transparent - sounding DAC . There ’s a hardness to the performance of John Legend ’s Use To hump uracil where there ’s not the same grade of emotion to his voice as the Earmen Sparrow can supply , with low frequencies punchy but not as clear . Switching to Norah Jones ’ I Do n’t jazz Why , and the treble note hit firmly and sharper than on the Sparrow , her voice again strays towards sibilance ; there ’s a steadiness about the AK HC3 that miss a quickness of mite .
What the AK HC3 lacks is a degree of subtlety and realism to its performance . I can discover the processing the Astell & Kern applies to euphony , and while it afford euphony mess of major power , energy , and impact , a DAC like the Earmen Sparrow offers a clearer sense of expression , more insight ; a lightness that by comparison offer more nuance .
The Astell & Kern AK HC3 displays a resoluteness allied with a warmth that engages but I do n’t think it quite gets out of the way and let you see the music . finally , what you find out is Astell & Kern ’s interpretation , and in that esteem , there are more vaporous plug and dally DACs available .
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Should you buy it?
There ’s plenty to love from the big , broad soundstage the AK HC3 vividly realises .
There is the sense of Astell & Kern ’s processing having a intemperate bridge player on what ’s heard . It does n’t always result in the most insightful performance .
Final Thoughts
The Astell & Kern AK HC3 is a vivid , energetic , and full - on listen but there are other plug and bring DACs that offer more contingent , brainstorm , and realism .
The rich freshwater bass , loyal presentation , and liveliness of the AK HC3 is to be revel , however , you may get the ( now discontinued ) Earmen Sparrow for less if you attend around or even the still availableEarmen Eaglethat ’s nearly half the price of the Astell & Kern .
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How we test
We try every DAC we review thoroughly over an extended period of time . We use industry - standard run to liken features decently . We ’ll always narrate you what we determine . We never , ever , accept money to reexamine a product .
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FAQs
The AK HC2 feature a 4.4 mm Balanced output , which is not as unremarkably put up as the AK HC3 ’s 3.5 millimetre output .
