[Baten]

Thanks, but a native USB type A version would be appreciated too.
Adapter sucks

A really small usb-c to A adapter can be bought ... usb-c will only pop up more...

 

[rocketron]

Wonder if they will do a balanced 4v output version??
Might impact the SR25 sales too much

 

[MikeW9788]

Hi JasonNYC, does this do line out? If it does I am going to buy it. I'd love to be able to leave my kann alpha at home and use this line out in my car. I absolutely love how my kann alpha sounds hooked up to the car.

 

[Samatar10]

All my usb c dongle don't work after few days

 

[Jazz1]

Astell&Kern Launches USB-C Dual DAC Cable
Playback High-Resolution Audio on Your Computer or Mobile Device​

Astell&Kern, a global leader in high-resolution audio players and accessories, launches their first USB Dual-DAC/Headphone amplifier designed to provide playback of high-resolution audio from your computer or mobile device. With more mobile phone manufacturers removing headphone jacks from their devices, the Astell&Kern USB Dual-DAC Cable provides users the ability to get the best sound possible out of their mobile devices while using existing headphones they already own.

The Astell&Kern USB DAC Cable features two Cirrus Logic CS43198 MasterHIFI™ DACs which supports native playback of high-resolution audio up to DSD256 and 32bit/384kHz PCM. 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 made 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.

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


The cable used in the USB DAC is a custom-made, 4-core cable designed by Astell&Kern to provide the best sound possible and enhance durability. The cable is reinforced to withstand up to 200N of tensile force using aramid fiber.

The all-metal body of the USB DAC uses the design concept of “light and shadow” that is used in all Astell&Kern products. The USB DAC Cable design is based on a single centerline that boldly crosses from right to left. The faces were arranged by adjusting the angle ratio so that the sharp faces of the upper four faces meet at one point. It is designed so that each side is reflected according to the movement of light.

To make the grip comfortable for one-handed use, the surface was created to be like a pebble that has been smoothly polished by the natural weathering effect of stone, rather than featuring the sharper angles typically found in existing Astell&Kern products. This product design provides a nice, smooth feeling when holding the cable in your hand.

The weight of the metal material used reflects the same durability and solid feel compared to other Astell&Kern devices.

The Astell&Kern USB DAC Cable is compatible with most Android-based smartphones and tablets, computers running Windows 10 and MacOS. iOS-based devices, such as iPhones and iPads are currently not supported.

You can now bring the famous Astell&Kern signature sound to your devices for a reasonable price.

The Astell&Kern USB-C Dual DAC Cable will be available in May 2021 at authorized Astell&Kern dealers for $149.

I wonder how this will compare to Audiquest's Dragonfly offerings?

 

[Jazz1]

Except the Dragonfly works with iPhone / iPad and the AK does not. I'd rather pay more and have features.

I guess I'll be sticking to my Dragonfly Red.

 

[ljnew]

Except the Dragonfly works with iPhone / iPad and the AK does not. I'd rather pay more and have features.

The 1 and only relevant question is how does this compare to the lg v series audiophile phone with the headphone jack? With lg i don't need a dongle unless this dongle is extremely superior.

 

[AudioManNewb]

I never understood why people love the Dragonfly series when they measure extremely poorly and charge outrageous prices.

 

[Aramg]

Astell&Kern Launches USB-C Dual DAC Cable
Playback High-Resolution Audio on Your Computer or Mobile Device​

Astell&Kern, a global leader in high-resolution audio players and accessories, launches their first USB Dual-DAC/Headphone amplifier designed to provide playback of high-resolution audio from your computer or mobile device. With more mobile phone manufacturers removing headphone jacks from their devices, the Astell&Kern USB Dual-DAC Cable provides users the ability to get the best sound possible out of their mobile devices while using existing headphones they already own.

The Astell&Kern USB DAC Cable features two Cirrus Logic CS43198 MasterHIFI™ DACs which supports native playback of high-resolution audio up to DSD256 and 32bit/384kHz PCM. 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 made 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.

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


The cable used in the USB DAC is a custom-made, 4-core cable designed by Astell&Kern to provide the best sound possible and enhance durability. The cable is reinforced to withstand up to 200N of tensile force using aramid fiber.

The all-metal body of the USB DAC uses the design concept of “light and shadow” that is used in all Astell&Kern products. The USB DAC Cable design is based on a single centerline that boldly crosses from right to left. The faces were arranged by adjusting the angle ratio so that the sharp faces of the upper four faces meet at one point. It is designed so that each side is reflected according to the movement of light.

To make the grip comfortable for one-handed use, the surface was created to be like a pebble that has been smoothly polished by the natural weathering effect of stone, rather than featuring the sharper angles typically found in existing Astell&Kern products. This product design provides a nice, smooth feeling when holding the cable in your hand.

The weight of the metal material used reflects the same durability and solid feel compared to other Astell&Kern devices.

The Astell&Kern USB DAC Cable is compatible with most Android-based smartphones and tablets, computers running Windows 10 and MacOS. iOS-based devices, such as iPhones and iPads are currently not supported.

You can now bring the famous Astell&Kern signature sound to your devices for a reasonable price.

The Astell&Kern USB-C Dual DAC Cable will be available in May 2021 at authorized Astell&Kern dealers for $149.

wonder how this compares with the cobalt. Probably not that good. honestly looks like a cash grab. no lighting support wither smh

 

[ewetcr]

Competition is fierce, and you have cheaper options that probably would overtake its performance easily. Want to read reviews tho.

 

[goodyfresh]

A&K probably shouldn’t bother trying to make stuff in this price range—wait, forget “probably.” I just noticed that there’s no 2.5mm jack on this thing. A&K should never release a product without their own jack format represented. They would have been better off going higher in price, and having both.

Unlike with a DAP, there’s no room for A&K to really show off their traditional elegance in design and materials. So unlike the DAP market, where they have a competitive-sounding product in a compellingly-designed box, they’re left competing purely on performance in the inline DAC market, which is a tough spot, considering how good some of the Chinese companies have gotten at mass producing ultra-quiet, ultra-cheap devices using ESS chips. Maybe I’m wrong; maybe people will luuuv the faceted shape of this dongle enough to justify a big price tag, just the way they do with A&K’s DAPs. But I doubt it.

I completely agree. Under-$200 USB-dongles and super-portable DAC/Amps with tiny form-factors (like the one I will compare to in the next paragraph) are a very competitive market, and I don't see how A&K is bringing anything new to the table with this product that other companies haven't already done better than this. Most competing products have a lower output-impedance as many have noted, which means this product limits the use-cases for many IEM's with balanced-armature drivers, despite the fact that the main appeal of a dongle is to have something versatile for both desktop AND portable use. What's the point of portability if it's going to change the sound-signature (probably for the worse) of many hi-fi IEM's? Moreover, yeah this thing doesn't even have a balanced output option (which as you noted should be 2.5mm on a product like this).

Why would I want to pay $150 for this thing when for only $110 I could get a Fiio BTR5 that is nearly as small (and a little USB-C cable for it that'll cost just a few bucks), has less than 1.0 ohm output-impedance, tons of power for such a small device (when I had the BTR5 it could even drive my 120ohm Senn HD560s really well), both 3.5mm and 2.5mm outputs, tons of features including switching filters and a phone-app, at least as many compatibility options, AND a Bluetooth option?

As you say, instead of focusing on making it look cool with a cool shape, they should have focused on giving this thing features that actually compete with similar products from other companies. A&K has always to SOME extent been a company that seems to rely on aesthetics as much as actual sound-quality and features to sell their products, but this little dongle here seems like an extreme case of that trend. If I wanted a DAC/Amp for my smartphone, there are at least ten to twenty products from other companies in this price-range that I would consider before this one. I mean come on, they talk about the 2.0 Vrms output as if that's something actually-special rather than just the industry standard that basically EVERYTHING has now.

 

[Metalingus]

Yes, with high output impedance and being only 3.5mm use case is very, very limited.

 

[zolyniakm]

I had the opportunity to listen to PEE51 (USB-C Dual DAC Cable) for more than a week already. So here are some impressions:

• build quality is exceptional, but PEE51 is a bit heavy portable DAC/AMP due to a solid metal shell; cable has additional shield;
• design is simple, yet very impressive IMHO (love it) and there is LED notification of sampling rate;
• from the very first moment, attention is drawn to a very clean sound and a surprisingly dark background, reminiscent of the SR25 model;
• sound is well-balanced, relatively neutral, yet natural and quite smooth in tone, there is good level of transparency with touch of added warmth;
• the lows are dense, tight, detailed and very well controlled, the extension is nice and a small accent guarantees the appropriate mass of the instruments and warms the sound a bit, but the bass does not dominate in any way;
• the midrange is clean and clear with the vocals clearly presented in front of the instruments, the male's does not lack mass; the slightly pushed upper midrange helps to better present female vocals and convey emotions of artists;
• the top end is natural, a touch shiny, but remains smooth and non-fatiguing; it is quite well stretched (with some air in presentation) and the details are there, ;
• nice holography, good width and height, perceptible but not strongly marked depth; resolution, separation and dynamic are good for price;
• generally PEE51 reminds me of the SR25, but with a touch more forward presentation with a tighter bass, while the DAP AK has better depth and touch more refined lower mids; I do not like such comparisons, but PEE51 seems like 70-80% of what the SR25 gives in terms of sound quality (the DAP provide of course higher quality, balanced output, better functionality, but the DAC/AMP is much cheaper);
• PEE51 provides up to 2 Vrms (no load), so it has no problems with IEMs I pair with them (UM MEST/3DT, DUNU Luna/Zen, Kinera Nanna, Moondrop Blessing2, Tralucent 1+X Plus, CA Andromeda, Anew X-One, Aune Jasper);
• great thing about PEE51 is mentioned earlier black background, even with CA Andromeda hiss is minimal.

Some photos:

 

[asifur]

Astell&Kern Launches USB-C Dual DAC Cable
Playback High-Resolution Audio on Your Computer or Mobile Device​

Astell&Kern, a global leader in high-resolution audio players and accessories, launches their first USB Dual-DAC/Headphone amplifier designed to provide playback of high-resolution audio from your computer or mobile device. With more mobile phone manufacturers removing headphone jacks from their devices, the Astell&Kern USB Dual-DAC Cable provides users the ability to get the best sound possible out of their mobile devices while using existing headphones they already own.

The Astell&Kern USB DAC Cable features two Cirrus Logic CS43198 MasterHIFI™ DACs which supports native playback of high-resolution audio up to DSD256 and 32bit/384kHz PCM. 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 made 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.

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


The cable used in the USB DAC is a custom-made, 4-core cable designed by Astell&Kern to provide the best sound possible and enhance durability. The cable is reinforced to withstand up to 200N of tensile force using aramid fiber.

The all-metal body of the USB DAC uses the design concept of “light and shadow” that is used in all Astell&Kern products. The USB DAC Cable design is based on a single centerline that boldly crosses from right to left. The faces were arranged by adjusting the angle ratio so that the sharp faces of the upper four faces meet at one point. It is designed so that each side is reflected according to the movement of light.

To make the grip comfortable for one-handed use, the surface was created to be like a pebble that has been smoothly polished by the natural weathering effect of stone, rather than featuring the sharper angles typically found in existing Astell&Kern products. This product design provides a nice, smooth feeling when holding the cable in your hand.

The weight of the metal material used reflects the same durability and solid feel compared to other Astell&Kern devices.

The Astell&Kern USB DAC Cable is compatible with most Android-based smartphones and tablets, computers running Windows 10 and MacOS. iOS-based devices, such as iPhones and iPads are currently not supported.

You can now bring the famous Astell&Kern signature sound to your devices for a reasonable price.

The Astell&Kern USB-C Dual DAC Cable will be available in May 2021 at authorized Astell&Kern dealers for $149.

is there a version for iPhones also?

 

[sabloke]

is there a version for iPhones also?

No, so you better get a proper phone