iBasso DC01 AK4493 DSD Android USB Type-C 2.5mm Balanced Headphone Amplifier Decode cable

Description

AKM AK4493EQ, featuring AKM’S Velvet Sound Technology

The AK4493 is a desktop level stereo DAC chip, featuring AKM’s Velvet Sound^TM technology. The signal-to-noise ratio has been improved when compared to the previous AK4490. It can be found in new generation desktop DACs and is widely used in high-end portable audio players. With extensive work we have implemented the AK4493 into the compact DC01 DAC cable adapter.

Desktop level DAC chip

The DC01 supports up to 32Bit/384kHz PCM decoding and up to 256x Native DSD decoding, with a THD+N below 0.001% and providing high output power of up to 113mW @32ohm. With this you are more fully able to make full use of quality of your valuable music. Wonderful HiFi music starts from the heart of the music source.

Comparison with an Entry level audio player

Entry level audio player                                                                     iBasso DC01

DAC:ES9218P/ES9018Q2C (Usually used on smartphones)             DAC:AS4990EQ (Desktop level)

Output: <[email protected]                                                                     Output: 113mW @32ohm

No USB soundcard feature                                                                  Able to work as a USB soundcard

No balanced output                                                                              2.5mm true balanced output

THD+N: >0.004%                                                                                 THD+N: <0.001% (32ohm load, 1.2Vrms)

PCM: 32Bit/384kHz                                                                              PCM: 32Bit/384kHz

DSD: DSD64, DSD128 DSD: Native DSD64,                                      DSD128, DSD256

No online streaming                                                                             With smartphones, able to play online music

True balanced headphone amplifier

iBasso introduces the concept of balanced audio in professional audio, into this portable DAC cable adapter. It uses a true balanced circuit with dual ultra-low distortion LDOs to create a true balanced amplifier, which provides high output power with improved dynamics and resolution.

No compromise on interconnect cable

After many tests and samples, we chose this 8-wire braided audiophile cable as the DC01’s interconnect cable, due to its purer signal transmission and better durability.

From smartphone to computer: UAC2.0 USB soundcard

The DC01 uses a USB-C connector and utilizes the standard UAC2.0 USB receiver. It is compatible with most Android smartphones and tablets on the market. It can also be connected to the Mac and Windows computers via the high quality supplied C to A convertor. This allows it to work as a USB soundcard. With the DC01 using the standard UAC 2.0 sound card chipset, Mac and Win10 computers are plug-and-play. For WinXP, Win7, and Win8 systems please download the driver. Once properly installed, it can be used as a USB sound card.

With a dedicated APK, the DC01 achieves 64-step hardware volume

Windows10 and Android 5.0 and above support the UAC2.0 protocol by default. However, for compatibility reasons, Android Smartphone manufacturers still use SRC on audio output. When DC01 is connected, the maximum volume is achieved by default, the software algorithm of the device is used to reduce the volume. The software algorithm can reduce the volume but cannot reduce the noise floor. Therefore, iBasso developed a UAC2.0 volume controller APP to achieve 64-step hardware volume control, effectively reducing the noise floor while achieving a better audio performance.

Operation instructions

The DC01 can be plug-and-play on Android Smartphones and tablets with Android5.1 and above, without installing drivers or third-party APPs(due to the Android device’s system or hardware limitation, there may be a low compatibility issue with some smartphones or tables). On some Android devices, it may be necessary to manually turn on the OTG function in the system settings.

The DC01 uses a standard UAC 2.0 sound card shipset for plug-and-play on Mac and Win10 computers. For WinXP, Win7 and Win8 system, please download the driver .

There is no buit-in battery so the DC01 receives its power through the USB interface from the master device. The actual power consumption is related to the operation and the device system. Because DC01 has an audiophile DAC chip it is normal for the DC01 to get warm during use.

*So far, we found that the DC01 has compatibility issues with the Samsung S9 and S10 smartphones. It works flawlessly with other Android smartphones.

*The DC01 can be used with the UAC volume control APP. With our APP, you can use our 64-step hardware volume control.

Main features

A new generation AKM4493 Premium 32-bit Stereo DAC with VELVET SOUND^TM technology in the system settings.

Support of PCM up to 32bit/384kHz.

Support of Native DSD up to and including 256x.

True balanced amplifier with 2.5mm balanced output port.

Works as a USB-DAC for Android smartphones & tablets, Mac, Windows &Linux computers.

USB C connector for better compatibility with Android smartphones & tablets.

Dual ultra-low noise LDOs to ensure a high performance audio.

8-wire braided audiophile cable.

Specification

DAC chipset: AK4493

THD+N: <0.001%(32ohm load, 1.2Vrms)

Output voltage: 1.9V(32ohm load)

Output power: [email protected]

Frequency response: 20Hz-40kHz±0.5dB

PCM: up to 32bit/384kHz

DSD: Native DSD up to 256x

Weight: 11g

Length:120mm

Package

DC01

USB C to USB A converter