Dedicated Dual DAC with Hi-Fi, Ultra-High Resolution Sound

The Astell&Kern USB-C Dual DAC Cable features two Cirrus Logic CS43198 MasterHIFI™ DACs which supports native DSD256 and 32bit/384kHz playback.

With the USB-C Dual DAC Cable, you can experience premium, high-resolution audio from your computer or mobile device.

Small but Powerful Output, Astell&Kern’s Signature Sound and Design

Astell&Kern’s expertise in audio circuit design has allowed us to create a complex and highly integrated circuit chip on a small, six-layer PCB the size of 14 x 41 mm.

In order to create a small device, micro resistors and tantalum capacitors, exclusively created for Astell&Kern were used.  These same capacitors, which are used by AK DAPs, optimize the audio circuit to suppress power fluctuations, creating a USB DAC that provides stable operation and superb audio performance.

The dual CS43198 DACs are paired with an independent analog amplifier, designed to provide true audio playback so you can feel the live, warm and clear sound as intended, without distortion. This is possible based on years of Astell&Kern’s expertise in AMP design.

Although it is a small and simple cable type external DAC, it is able to sufficiently drive high impedance headphones with a 2Vrms (Condition No Load) output level.

Plug & Play with Most Devices 

The Astell&Kern USB-C Dual DAC Cable features a USB-C connection, which can be found on the latest Android-based smartphones and Windows and Mac computers. 

Since the USB-C Dual DAC Cable draws power from the playback device it is connected to, there is no need for a separate charger. The USB-C Dual DAC Cable supports any headphone or earphone with a 3.5mm connector.

The USB-C Dual DAC Cable brings the famous signature Astell&Kern sound to your devices for a reasonable price.

*Both earphones and headphones that support 3-pole and 4-pole 3.5mm plugs can be used, but the in-line controller and microphone functions built into 4-pole earphones and headphones are not supported.

Noise-Shield Customized Cable

We developed a custom-made, 4-core cable to express the sound you want to reveal through the cable and enhance durability against disconnection. The cable is reinforced to withstand up to 200N of tensile force using aramid fiber.  

This cable is made by wrapping silver-plated copper wire and the copper wire in a spiral form around a center core made of Technora Aramid fiber to block external noise.

A separate shielding treatment is applied to the cable to block distortion and noise of digital and analog signals from the playback device.

The silver-plated copper wire used in the USB-C Dual DAC Cable is thicker than typical silver-plated copper wire (0.3μm, usually 0.1~0.15µm). The addition of copper wire provides clear and rich spatial sound.

Roon Tested

Roon’s fundamental goal is to provide a consistently stellar user experience. This goal doesn’t stop at the software... the experience extends all the way down to the audio playback hardware, regardless of manufacturer.

As a Roon Tested partner, Astell&Kern has provided equipment to Roon for testing with a variety of different operating systems and computers, and shared information about its design and capabilities.

We have a direct relationship with Roon and in many cases, the Roon support team has our devices on hand, so you can confidently choose to use Astell&Kern hardware with Roon.

Key Features

• Full Metal Housing Design
• Dual-DAC HiFi Audio Chipset
• Silver-Plated Copper Shielded Cable
• Small Size, but Powerful Output

Technical Specifications

• Model: AK USB-C DUAL DAC AMPLIFIER CABLE
• Model: PEE51
• Body Material: Zinc Alloy
• Body Color: Titan
• DAC: Cirrus Logic CS43198 x 2
• 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, Android Smartphone & Tablet PC, macOS)
• Output 3.5 mm Headphone
• Dimensions USB Plug: 17mm[W] x 50mm[H] x 10.3mm[D] / 3.5 mm Headphone: 12mm[W] x 20mm[H] x 8.2mm[D]
• Weight: about 25g