Tokyo Japan, Aug 5, 2009—Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) today launched the AK4480, a high performance 32-bit stereo DAC. It is the newest member of the Audio4pro™ product family. Based on the high quality sound architecture of the AK4397 and AK4399, which are innovative developments of the Audio4pro family, the AK4480 has an advanced architecture that enables higher quality sound for professional and high-end audio instruments. The AK4480 has three different digital filters: a 32-bit minimum delay filter which is suitable for acoustic sounds, a 32-bit sharp roll-off filter for traditional sounds, and a 32-bit slow roll-off filter for a soft sound expression. The 32-bit minimum delay and sharp roll-off filters can be controlled by pin settings in parallel control mode.
The 32-bit digital operation block provides full 32-bit processing for the audio interface, a perfect linear phase digital filter and an advanced delta-sigma modulator. High accuracy D/A conversion of 32-bit audio signals is performed, and an innovative design technique, a symmetrical layout for left-right channels is utilized. The fully symmetrical layout of the analog block ensures that the signal from the digital block has the shortest path possible to the analog block to avoid noise coupling, improving sound quality. The AK4480 is the first 32-bit DAC which has a digital block designed by sound quality aspects to achieve higher performance.
The AK4480 integrates a digital de-emphasis filter, soft mute circuit and digital attenuator. Left and right channel-independent zero detect functions are available. Sampling rates range from 30kHz to 216kHz. The analog outputs are fully differential, achieving very low THD+N of -100dB and dynamic range or SNR of 114dB, and the operating voltage is 5V. It is pin compatible device with the AK4390, enabling easy system upgrades using the same footprint. The AK4480 supports 216kHz PCM audio data, and it is suitable for high-quality audio equipment such as high-end Blu-Ray Disc players, DVD-Audio players, AV receivers, digital mixers and professional audios. Evaluation boards which is optimized for high sound quality performance and samples are available in October. To obtain more information, contact Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation, Audio Business Operation, 1-105 Kanda Jinbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8101, Japan or visit our web site "www.akm.com".
About Audio4pro™
The Audio4pro™ brand identifies AKM products that are designed for pro audio equipments, including mixing consoles, electronic musical instruments, and sound effectors meeting the highest sound quality standards of recording studios. The Audio4pro™ brand product range provides world-leading performance with high quality sound.