Astell&Kern - AK HC3 (Unboxed)
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Why Astell&Kern is Special
Designed in Korea
Established & Reputed
Trust us, our reputation in the audio world speaks for itself!
This headphone or gear comes from a well-respected brand known for its high-quality audio equipment, so you can be confident in your purchase.
If you see a product marked as “🎖️ Established & Reputed”, it means you're getting a top-tier device from a brand that's earned its stripes in the audio industry.
Revered by Audiophiles
Audiophiles can be really picky and tough to impress and if the audiophile community says something sounds good, you can bet it's great!
This headphone or gear has gained recognition and admiration from audiophiles, who are known for their discerning taste in high-fidelity audio. They appreciate its precision, attention to detail and its ability to deliver an immersive sonic experience.
If you see a product marked as "🙌🏻 Revered by Audiophiles", it means that it meets the highest standards of sound quality and performance, making it a top choice for anyone who values exceptional audio experiences.
Born in 2004
Why we love this DAC/Amp
Value for Money
Great sound always doesn't have to come with a fancy price tag.
Every once in a while we come across a product that give you a lot more value for the price.
If you see products marked as "🥜 Value For Money" you can be sure you're getting a great bang for your buck.
Ideal for Beginners
Lost in the Audio Maze? Let Us Guide Your Beginner Audiophile Journey!
If you are a newcomer in the audio world, this headphone or gear is a stepping stone for those overwhelmed by the plethora of options available.
If you see a product marked with “🌱 Ideal for Beginners," it indicates that this device is perfect for starting your audiophile journey.
For Audiophiles On-the-Go
Are you an audiophile looking to carry your music with you wherever you go?
This headphone or gear is portable and is designed to deliver top-notch audio quality on the move, ensuring your favourite tracks sound their best no matter where you are.
If you see a product marked "🛺 For Audiophiles On-the-Go", it means this product is perfectly portable, turning every journey into a musical adventure with studio-quality sound!
Works Great with Type-C
Don’t have a 3.5mm headphone jack on your phone? Don’t worry we got you covered.
This headphone or gear is fully compatible with Type-C USB connectors. Not only do they seamlessly connect to your device without needing an additonal dongle or adapter and ensures optimal performance without any hassle.
If you see a product marked as “📱 Works Great with Type-C”, you can be confident that you'll experience seamless connectivity with a universal connection standard that simplifies your audio setup.
Built like a Tank
No need to worry about durability.
If you're seeking a headphone or gear with a strong, rugged build, this snapshot indicates that this is the one for you.
If you see a product marked with “🪖 Built like a Tank", it means this product is crafted with metal in its design, ensuring exceptional robustness and durability.
Why it Sounds Amazing
DAC Chip
Know the secret to your pristine audio.
This headphone or gear reveals the secret sauce behind superior audio quality, highlighting the presence of a high-performance DAC chip for pristine sound reproduction.
If you see products marked as “⚙️ DAC Chip”, expect to experience your music with unparalleled clarity, detail, and fidelity, ensuring that every note and nuance is faithfully reproduced for your listening pleasure.
Power Output
When you need that juice to get the best out of your products.
This headphone or gear packs a punch, revealing the product's impressive power output capabilities, ensuring it can handle even the most demanding products with ease.
If you see products marked as “🚀 Power Output”, you're in for a treat with robust performance for driving high-fidelity products without breaking a sweat.
UNBOXED
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Unboxed units are as good as new products with the product's packaging being unavailable. These products give you the same satisfaction of new products - but at down-to-earth prices. Usually, the product's packaging may have gotten damaged in transit. Customers use a product once or twice and then return it with opened up packaging.
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Returned headphones are fully functional products that have left the warehouse and therefore can no longer be sold as new as their packaging has been opened. The product may have been used once or twice by the customer who returned it.
Transit Damages
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Save Upto 15%
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Professionally Inspected
A thorough inspection means you receive a 100% working headphone with no sound output issues.
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DESCRIPTION
ASTELL&KERN INTRODUCES AN ALL-NEW USB DAC & AMP - THE AK HC3
Astell&Kern has been at the forefront when it comes to designing some of the game-changing audio devices. With their continuous pursuit of perfection, Astell&Kern has always amazed audio enthusiasts worldwide. Driven by a passion for music and a quest for innovation, Astell&Kern products have proved to be the finest in the audio industry. Astell&Kern takes great pleasure in introducing their all-new USB DAC & Amp - the AK HC3. The AK HC3 delivers music that is true to the original sound when it was recorded or performed to touch your hearts and revive them. It is a promising DAC & Amp with dual DACs from ESS Sabre. It supports PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) 32bit/384kHz, Native DSD256 (Direct Stream Digital). Hear the difference in sound quality with the all-new AK HC3 USB DAC & Amp and delve into pure sonic bliss!
EXPERIENCE ULTRA HIGH-RESOLUTION SOUND WITH DUAL ESS SABRE DAC CHIPS AND 8X MQA SUPPORT
To take the performance level of the HC3 to new levels, a team of engineers designed it to be extremely powerful & clean in its delivery. Astell&Kern has incorporated ES9219MQ dual DAC from ESS Sabre for true Hi-Fi sound quality. The AK HC3 is the result of; years of effort and design expertise that provides all the benefits of its predecessor, HC1 (PEE51), while enabling high-quality sound across various settings. The dual DACs enable playback of Hi-Fi sounds in ultra-high quality, excellent noise control, and low power consumption. In addition, it supports Native DSD256 and 32-bit/384 kHz, supporting any high-resolution sound. The Atell&Kern AK HC3 is a renderer that supports MQA 8X playback in ultra-high quality to deliver sound that's much closer to the original sound. With its compact size and uncompromising performance, the AK HC3 makes it easy to enjoy "real" Hi-Fi sound anytime, anywhere.
EXCEPTIONAL POWER MANAGEMENT AND OPTIMAL AUDIO CIRCUITRY FOR UNRIVALLED PERFORMANCE
The AK HC3 is the result of Astell&Kern's ultra-fine audio design technology. Astell&Kern is adored by countless music lovers thanks to their dedication and meticulous delivery of the original sound with their signature portable high-resolution audio players. The team of engineers at Astell&Kern have included cutting-edge technology and know-how accumulated from their DAP designs over the years in the all-new AK HC3. Astell&Kern has used micro resistors and capacitor parts to achieve the small dimensions without compromising performance. Custom ultra-small tantalum capacitors used in AK player products to create a stable system and audio performance by controlling power fluctuations are incorporated in the AK HC3. In addition, the output and audio performance are "enhanced" with Astell&Kern's unique power management technology by minimising power consumption with the connected device.
DUAL NOISE-SHIELDED CABLE WITH NOISE-FREE REAR OUTPUT STRUCTURE DELIVERS DISTORTION-FREE AUDIO
The AK HC3 incorporates a rear audio output design to minimise noise. Most USB DAC products have the DAC positioned in the USB terminal connected directly to the device to process and output audio. The DAC of the AK HC3 transforms digital signals from the device into analogue signals after passing through the dual-shielded cable and the audio circuit. In comparison to other USB DAC products, the outcome of post-processing the digital signal is better and noise-free. The AK HC3 features a dual shielded cable to minimise noise and deliver a more vivid, original sound. The copper core wire is coated with tin to prevent corrosion and strengthen tensile force for enhanced durability. In addition, the entire cable is wrapped in an aluminium film to block noise then the tin-coated copper wire is woven to minimise noise interference.
EASY AND CONVENIENT PLUG & PLAY DESIGN WITH SUPPORT FOR COMPANION APP
Connect directly to a Windows PC, Mac, smartphone or tablet with a USB-C port that supports plug & play without needing a separate conversion adapter, and enjoy high-quality sound. The AK HC3 utilises power from the connected playback device, so it does not need to be charged or connected to a separate external sound card, AMP or DAC. Just plug in the HC3 to experience high-fidelity sound from a computer or mobile device. As common with many USB DACs, compatibility issues arise as different connected devices are set automatically to maximum volume output or playback at too low volume. To resolve this and offer greater control over the "volume" and function of the HC3, Astell&Kern has developed a companion app for Android OS devices. Additionally, Roon examined the AK HC3 to improve its performance and ensure ease of setup and daily use. Roon-tested devices provide the best audio performance, and the AK HC3 is no different.
NOTE: The HC3 is also compatible with iOS devices using the included USB-C to Lightning adapter.
EXQUISITELY CRAFTED FROM ALUMINIUM FUSED WITH MICROPHONE AND CONTROLLER SUPPORT AND LED INDICATOR
AK HC3 is super light with a full aluminium housing and weighs only 20g. The compact and lightweight body embodies Astell&Kern’s design philosophy, emphasising their fundamental ethos toward the music. The design inherits the light and shadow concept, which is the identity of Astell&Kern. All four sides centred around the traversing centerline are positioned proportionally and converge on a single point, making them uniquely reflective and iridescent. The high-quality finish hides everything except for design factors such as the contours and the logo, preventing any visual distractions for a more immersive music experience. The AK HC3 is compatible with 3, or 4-pole 3.5mm plug earphones and headsets, as well as in-line controller and microphone features of 4-pole earphones and headsets. The direct USB connection provides lower latency enabling a sound performance perfect for gaming. The voice chat features enhance your gaming experiences so you can play with others, and the microphone input makes it even more convenient for professional web conferencing. Plus, the rich sound capability adds to the utility of AK HC3 by making your video experiences more realistic and immersive. The AK HC3 also has an LED indicator that displays sampling rates (Standby: White / PCM: Red / DSD: Blue / MQA: Magenta).
NOTE:
When pairing your AK HC3 with iPhones, recording is supported for microphone input, but not supported for calls.
The unit does not have a built-in microphone.
SPECS
| MODEL | AK HC3 |
| BODY MATERIAL | Aluminum |
| BODY COLOR | Dark Gray |
| DAC | ES9219MQ x2 (Dual-DAC) |
| SAMPLE RATE | PCM: Support up to 32bit/384kHz DSD Native: DSD64(1bit 2.8MHz), Stereo / DSD128(1bit 5.6MHz), Stereo / DSD256(1bit 11.2MHz), Stereo |
| INPUT | USB Type-C Input(for Windows 10,11, Android, iOS smartphone & Tablet PC, macOS) |
| OUTPUT | 3.5mm (CTIA standard 4-pole supported) |
| LED | Standby : White / PCM : Red / DSD : Blue |
| WEIGHT | about 20g |
| DIMENSIONS | USB Plug : 12.5mm[W] x 21mm[H] x 8.7mm[D] 3.5mm Headphone : 18.2mm[W] x 59mm[H] x 11.5[D] |
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE | ±0.013dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) ±0.020dB (Condition : 20Hz~70kHz) |
| SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO | 118dB @ 1kHz |
| CROSSTALK | -130dB @ 1kHz |
| THD + N | 0.0005% @ 1kHz |
| IMD SAMPTE | 0.0002%, 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) |
| OUTPUT IMPEDANCE | 2 ohm |
| OUTPUT POWER/VOLTAGE | 2Vrms (Condition No Road) |
| WHAT YOU WILL GET | 1. Astell&Kern AK HC3 |
| 2. USB-C to Lightning adapter | |
| WHAT YOU WILL NOT GET | 1. Original packaging of Astell&Kern AK HC3 |
OTHER DETAILS
| GENERIC NAME | Headphone Amplifier |
| IMPORTER DETAILS | Importers Name: Ferrari Video Address: 63/18, 1st Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Chennai - 600020 Contact No: 044-24420733 |
| NET QUANTITY | 1 |
User Manual | AK HC3
Portable DAC & Amp
|
FAQs
Whats the warranty period? How to claim warranty?
The warranty period on all Astell&Kern products is 1 year. Read more information on Astelle&Kern warranty.
Where is Astell&Kern brand based?
Astell&Kern is a brand based in Korea.
How is Astell&Kern AK HC3 different from Astell&Kern AK HC2?
The AK HC3 is a portable single-ended DAC & Amp while the AK HC2 is a balanced DAC & Amp. The AK HC3 has a 3.5mm single-ended output and the AK HC2 has a 4.4mm pentaconn balanced output. These units also differ in terms of output power with AK HC3 delivering 2Vrms (Condition No Road) as compared to 4Vrms (Condition No Load) on AK HC2. The AK HC2 utilises Cirrus Logic CS43198 dual DAC chip and the AK HC3 utilises a dual ES9219MQ DAC chip from ESS Sabre.
What are the key features like on AK HC3?
Following are the key features:
ES9219MQ Dual DAC from ESS for true Hi-Fi quality
Dual-shielded cable
Supports headset microphones
Supports iOS devices
Proprietary app for Android (For Detailed Volume Control)
Compact but powerful
LED display shows song details
Full metal housing design
What are the DAC chips incorporated in the Astell&Kern AK HC3?
The Astell&Kern AK HC3 features dual ES9219MQ DAC chips from ESS Sabre.
What are the sampling/decoding rates supported?
The Astell&Kern AK HC3 supports PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) 32bit/384kHz, Native DSD256 (Direct Stream Digital).
Does it require charging?
No, the Astell&Kern AK HC3 utilises power from the connected playback device, so it does not need to be charged or connected to a separate external sound card, AMP or DAC.
Does it support a microphone input?
Yes, the Astell&Kern AK HC3 is compatible with 3, or 4-pole 3.5mm plug earphones and headsets, as well as in-line controller and microphone features of 4-pole earphones and headsets.
NOTE: The unit does not have a built-in microphone.
What do the LED indicators indicate?
The AK HC3 also has an LED indicator that displays sampling rates (Standby: White / PCM: Red / DSD: Blue / MQA: Magenta).
What is the input connection like on Astell&Kern AK HC3?
The Astell&Kern AK HC3 has USB Type-C as input connection.
What is the output port like on Astell&Kern AK HC3?
The Astell&Kern AK HC3 has a 3.5mm (CTIA standard 4-pole supported) output port.
Does it support companion apps?
Yes, it does support companion apps.
What is the purpose of the companion app?
As common with many USB DACs, compatibility issues arise as different connected devices are set automatically to maximum volume output or playback at too low volume. To resolve this and offer greater control over the 'volume' and function of the HC3, Astell&Kern has developed a companion app for Android OS devices.
What care needs to be taken while using the product?
Precautions When Using the Product:
This product is compatible with most Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, Windows 10/11 and macOS products. In some cases, it may not be compatible or may be restricted depending on the hardware, software and/or system of the device that you connect to.
When connecting to a Windows PC, the driver will automatically be recognized and installed. For high-quality sound files, you are required to install a separate USB DAC driver which can be downloaded from the Support — Download section on the website.
4-pole earphones and headphones support CTIA devices, but OMTP is not supported. HC3 may not support call features when paired with iPhones or some Android phone models with a 3.5-mm connector.
To play DSD and high-quality PCM sound files on a smartphone, you must install a separate free/paid player program that supports high-resolution audio playback. (When using the default player app on a mobile device, the file will be downsampled. Please make sure to play it with a different player app.)
Please note that the volume will be fixed to the maximum level if you allow access with Tidal and some other apps on Android devices. Make sure to check the volume on your connected player device before using headphones or earphones. Some devices may automatically set the output level to maximum volume when the cable is connected. Listening to headphones or earphones at maximum volume may damage your hearing. Please verify the volume level before each use.
Do not connect the USB-C Dual DAC Cable to an Astell&Kern player. When connecting the cable to a player and using it as an external DAC, the output volume will be fixed at the maximum volume setting. It is not possible to adjust the volume through the Astell&Kern player. Listening at maximum or a high-volume setting may cause serious damage to your hearing. Astell&Kern, its affiliates and agencies, cannot be held liable for any damage or injuries from negligent or inappropriate use.
Firmware updates may be released periodically for stability improvements. For more information on firmware updates and to check if a firmware update is available, please visit the Support — Download section on the website.
Headphone Zone Certified Unboxed Units
Unboxed units are as good as new products with the product's packaging being unavailable. These products give you the same satisfaction of new products - but at down-to-earth prices. Usually, the product's packaging may have gotten damaged in transit. Customers use a product once or twice and then return it with opened up packaging.
Customer Returns
Returned headphones are fully functional products that have left the warehouse and therefore can no longer be sold as new as their packaging has been opened. The product may have been used once or twice by the customer who returned it.
Transit Damages
Sometimes we receive headphones in damaged packaging due to shipping accidents. These are brand new headphones with cosmetic flaws on the packaging.
Save Upto 15%
Since you won't get the original packaging, we give you a good discount compared to a new headphone.
Professionally Inspected
A thorough inspection means you receive a 100% working headphone with no sound output issues.
Original Warranty
All unboxed headphones carry the same warranty period as a brand new headphone would.
Unbiased Customer Service
We have the same Headphone Zone customer support experience for Unboxed Products or new products.
Unchanged Replacement Policy
Received a defective Unboxed unit? Return it under our Replacement Policy.
All Original Accessories
The unboxed headphones itself comes with all original accessories.
ASTELL&KERN INTRODUCES AN ALL-NEW USB DAC & AMP - THE AK HC3
Astell&Kern has been at the forefront when it comes to designing some of the game-changing audio devices. With their continuous pursuit of perfection, Astell&Kern has always amazed audio enthusiasts worldwide. Driven by a passion for music and a quest for innovation, Astell&Kern products have proved to be the finest in the audio industry. Astell&Kern takes great pleasure in introducing their all-new USB DAC & Amp - the AK HC3. The AK HC3 delivers music that is true to the original sound when it was recorded or performed to touch your hearts and revive them. It is a promising DAC & Amp with dual DACs from ESS Sabre. It supports PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) 32bit/384kHz, Native DSD256 (Direct Stream Digital). Hear the difference in sound quality with the all-new AK HC3 USB DAC & Amp and delve into pure sonic bliss!
EXPERIENCE ULTRA HIGH-RESOLUTION SOUND WITH DUAL ESS SABRE DAC CHIPS AND 8X MQA SUPPORT
To take the performance level of the HC3 to new levels, a team of engineers designed it to be extremely powerful & clean in its delivery. Astell&Kern has incorporated ES9219MQ dual DAC from ESS Sabre for true Hi-Fi sound quality. The AK HC3 is the result of; years of effort and design expertise that provides all the benefits of its predecessor, HC1 (PEE51), while enabling high-quality sound across various settings. The dual DACs enable playback of Hi-Fi sounds in ultra-high quality, excellent noise control, and low power consumption. In addition, it supports Native DSD256 and 32-bit/384 kHz, supporting any high-resolution sound. The Atell&Kern AK HC3 is a renderer that supports MQA 8X playback in ultra-high quality to deliver sound that's much closer to the original sound. With its compact size and uncompromising performance, the AK HC3 makes it easy to enjoy "real" Hi-Fi sound anytime, anywhere.
EXCEPTIONAL POWER MANAGEMENT AND OPTIMAL AUDIO CIRCUITRY FOR UNRIVALLED PERFORMANCE
The AK HC3 is the result of Astell&Kern's ultra-fine audio design technology. Astell&Kern is adored by countless music lovers thanks to their dedication and meticulous delivery of the original sound with their signature portable high-resolution audio players. The team of engineers at Astell&Kern have included cutting-edge technology and know-how accumulated from their DAP designs over the years in the all-new AK HC3. Astell&Kern has used micro resistors and capacitor parts to achieve the small dimensions without compromising performance. Custom ultra-small tantalum capacitors used in AK player products to create a stable system and audio performance by controlling power fluctuations are incorporated in the AK HC3. In addition, the output and audio performance are "enhanced" with Astell&Kern's unique power management technology by minimising power consumption with the connected device.
DUAL NOISE-SHIELDED CABLE WITH NOISE-FREE REAR OUTPUT STRUCTURE DELIVERS DISTORTION-FREE AUDIO
The AK HC3 incorporates a rear audio output design to minimise noise. Most USB DAC products have the DAC positioned in the USB terminal connected directly to the device to process and output audio. The DAC of the AK HC3 transforms digital signals from the device into analogue signals after passing through the dual-shielded cable and the audio circuit. In comparison to other USB DAC products, the outcome of post-processing the digital signal is better and noise-free. The AK HC3 features a dual shielded cable to minimise noise and deliver a more vivid, original sound. The copper core wire is coated with tin to prevent corrosion and strengthen tensile force for enhanced durability. In addition, the entire cable is wrapped in an aluminium film to block noise then the tin-coated copper wire is woven to minimise noise interference.
EASY AND CONVENIENT PLUG & PLAY DESIGN WITH SUPPORT FOR COMPANION APP
Connect directly to a Windows PC, Mac, smartphone or tablet with a USB-C port that supports plug & play without needing a separate conversion adapter, and enjoy high-quality sound. The AK HC3 utilises power from the connected playback device, so it does not need to be charged or connected to a separate external sound card, AMP or DAC. Just plug in the HC3 to experience high-fidelity sound from a computer or mobile device. As common with many USB DACs, compatibility issues arise as different connected devices are set automatically to maximum volume output or playback at too low volume. To resolve this and offer greater control over the "volume" and function of the HC3, Astell&Kern has developed a companion app for Android OS devices. Additionally, Roon examined the AK HC3 to improve its performance and ensure ease of setup and daily use. Roon-tested devices provide the best audio performance, and the AK HC3 is no different.
NOTE: The HC3 is also compatible with iOS devices using the included USB-C to Lightning adapter.
EXQUISITELY CRAFTED FROM ALUMINIUM FUSED WITH MICROPHONE AND CONTROLLER SUPPORT AND LED INDICATOR
AK HC3 is super light with a full aluminium housing and weighs only 20g. The compact and lightweight body embodies Astell&Kern’s design philosophy, emphasising their fundamental ethos toward the music. The design inherits the light and shadow concept, which is the identity of Astell&Kern. All four sides centred around the traversing centerline are positioned proportionally and converge on a single point, making them uniquely reflective and iridescent. The high-quality finish hides everything except for design factors such as the contours and the logo, preventing any visual distractions for a more immersive music experience. The AK HC3 is compatible with 3, or 4-pole 3.5mm plug earphones and headsets, as well as in-line controller and microphone features of 4-pole earphones and headsets. The direct USB connection provides lower latency enabling a sound performance perfect for gaming. The voice chat features enhance your gaming experiences so you can play with others, and the microphone input makes it even more convenient for professional web conferencing. Plus, the rich sound capability adds to the utility of AK HC3 by making your video experiences more realistic and immersive. The AK HC3 also has an LED indicator that displays sampling rates (Standby: White / PCM: Red / DSD: Blue / MQA: Magenta).
NOTE:
When pairing your AK HC3 with iPhones, recording is supported for microphone input, but not supported for calls.
The unit does not have a built-in microphone.
| MODEL | AK HC3 |
| BODY MATERIAL | Aluminum |
| BODY COLOR | Dark Gray |
| DAC | ES9219MQ x2 (Dual-DAC) |
| SAMPLE RATE | PCM: Support up to 32bit/384kHz DSD Native: DSD64(1bit 2.8MHz), Stereo / DSD128(1bit 5.6MHz), Stereo / DSD256(1bit 11.2MHz), Stereo |
| INPUT | USB Type-C Input(for Windows 10,11, Android, iOS smartphone & Tablet PC, macOS) |
| OUTPUT | 3.5mm (CTIA standard 4-pole supported) |
| LED | Standby : White / PCM : Red / DSD : Blue |
| WEIGHT | about 20g |
| DIMENSIONS | USB Plug : 12.5mm[W] x 21mm[H] x 8.7mm[D] 3.5mm Headphone : 18.2mm[W] x 59mm[H] x 11.5[D] |
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE | ±0.013dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) ±0.020dB (Condition : 20Hz~70kHz) |
| SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO | 118dB @ 1kHz |
| CROSSTALK | -130dB @ 1kHz |
| THD + N | 0.0005% @ 1kHz |
| IMD SAMPTE | 0.0002%, 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) |
| OUTPUT IMPEDANCE | 2 ohm |
| OUTPUT POWER/VOLTAGE | 2Vrms (Condition No Road) |
| WHAT YOU WILL GET | 1. Astell&Kern AK HC3 |
| 2. USB-C to Lightning adapter | |
| WHAT YOU WILL NOT GET | 1. Original packaging of Astell&Kern AK HC3 |
OTHER DETAILS
| GENERIC NAME | Headphone Amplifier |
| IMPORTER DETAILS | Importers Name: Ferrari Video Address: 63/18, 1st Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Chennai - 600020 Contact No: 044-24420733 |
| NET QUANTITY | 1 |
|
User Manual | AK HC3
Portable DAC & Amp
|
Whats the warranty period? How to claim warranty?
The warranty period on all Astell&Kern products is 1 year. Read more information on Astelle&Kern warranty.
Where is Astell&Kern brand based?
Astell&Kern is a brand based in Korea.
How is Astell&Kern AK HC3 different from Astell&Kern AK HC2?
The AK HC3 is a portable single-ended DAC & Amp while the AK HC2 is a balanced DAC & Amp. The AK HC3 has a 3.5mm single-ended output and the AK HC2 has a 4.4mm pentaconn balanced output. These units also differ in terms of output power with AK HC3 delivering 2Vrms (Condition No Road) as compared to 4Vrms (Condition No Load) on AK HC2. The AK HC2 utilises Cirrus Logic CS43198 dual DAC chip and the AK HC3 utilises a dual ES9219MQ DAC chip from ESS Sabre.
What are the key features like on AK HC3?
Following are the key features:
ES9219MQ Dual DAC from ESS for true Hi-Fi quality
Dual-shielded cable
Supports headset microphones
Supports iOS devices
Proprietary app for Android (For Detailed Volume Control)
Compact but powerful
LED display shows song details
Full metal housing design
What are the DAC chips incorporated in the Astell&Kern AK HC3?
The Astell&Kern AK HC3 features dual ES9219MQ DAC chips from ESS Sabre.
What are the sampling/decoding rates supported?
The Astell&Kern AK HC3 supports PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) 32bit/384kHz, Native DSD256 (Direct Stream Digital).
Does it require charging?
No, the Astell&Kern AK HC3 utilises power from the connected playback device, so it does not need to be charged or connected to a separate external sound card, AMP or DAC.
Does it support a microphone input?
Yes, the Astell&Kern AK HC3 is compatible with 3, or 4-pole 3.5mm plug earphones and headsets, as well as in-line controller and microphone features of 4-pole earphones and headsets.
NOTE: The unit does not have a built-in microphone.
What do the LED indicators indicate?
The AK HC3 also has an LED indicator that displays sampling rates (Standby: White / PCM: Red / DSD: Blue / MQA: Magenta).
What is the input connection like on Astell&Kern AK HC3?
The Astell&Kern AK HC3 has USB Type-C as input connection.
What is the output port like on Astell&Kern AK HC3?
The Astell&Kern AK HC3 has a 3.5mm (CTIA standard 4-pole supported) output port.
Does it support companion apps?
Yes, it does support companion apps.
What is the purpose of the companion app?
As common with many USB DACs, compatibility issues arise as different connected devices are set automatically to maximum volume output or playback at too low volume. To resolve this and offer greater control over the 'volume' and function of the HC3, Astell&Kern has developed a companion app for Android OS devices.
What care needs to be taken while using the product?
Precautions When Using the Product:
This product is compatible with most Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, Windows 10/11 and macOS products. In some cases, it may not be compatible or may be restricted depending on the hardware, software and/or system of the device that you connect to.
When connecting to a Windows PC, the driver will automatically be recognized and installed. For high-quality sound files, you are required to install a separate USB DAC driver which can be downloaded from the Support — Download section on the website.
4-pole earphones and headphones support CTIA devices, but OMTP is not supported. HC3 may not support call features when paired with iPhones or some Android phone models with a 3.5-mm connector.
To play DSD and high-quality PCM sound files on a smartphone, you must install a separate free/paid player program that supports high-resolution audio playback. (When using the default player app on a mobile device, the file will be downsampled. Please make sure to play it with a different player app.)
Please note that the volume will be fixed to the maximum level if you allow access with Tidal and some other apps on Android devices. Make sure to check the volume on your connected player device before using headphones or earphones. Some devices may automatically set the output level to maximum volume when the cable is connected. Listening to headphones or earphones at maximum volume may damage your hearing. Please verify the volume level before each use.
Do not connect the USB-C Dual DAC Cable to an Astell&Kern player. When connecting the cable to a player and using it as an external DAC, the output volume will be fixed at the maximum volume setting. It is not possible to adjust the volume through the Astell&Kern player. Listening at maximum or a high-volume setting may cause serious damage to your hearing. Astell&Kern, its affiliates and agencies, cannot be held liable for any damage or injuries from negligent or inappropriate use.
Firmware updates may be released periodically for stability improvements. For more information on firmware updates and to check if a firmware update is available, please visit the Support — Download section on the website.
Don't sweat it, this
Astell&Kern - AK HC3 (Unboxed) comes with a 1 Year warranty
from Astell&Kern that covers manufacturing defects.
All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.
Read more about Astell&Kern's warranty in India.
DESIGN AWARD
iF Design
April, 2023