FS: Custom Dual Mono AKM4495S DAC

Custom, dual mono AKM4495S DAC, custom case, high-end clocks, custom transformer, status / setting LED.

Sigh - decided to move this. I've been using it with Studio (Mutec MC-3+ - Coaxial) for the past few days, and it's amazing how close this thing is to Yggdrasil. Spatial imaging is a bit different, plus this DAC supports 5 different filters. One of these needs to go, and Yggdrasil's the one I can't build again if I chose

It's configured for US power, but can be reconfigured for 220/230.

This one's the result of a year + effort working with jlsounds.com engineers (Joro / Lyuben). This is one of the final articles that I cased up and put to use. To my knowledge, there's only one other DAC using this chip set (that's probably changed, checked early on), and that's an Esoteric Grandiose D1 DAC that costs, will, a schiit load. We chose the 4495S, as it represented a 'cost no object' effort by AKM to design / build a chip that had best possible sonics. The AKM4495 shares the same design, but's quite a bit cheaper, as it doesn't utilize the optimal but expensive materials / process of manufacturing.

The board is designed for multiple inputs, but the case was designed for USB. I'll include both the USB and the Coaxial port; simple to change to whichever's needed. Additionally, it provides both balanced and SE output. Top of the line Crystek clocks were used, along with a custom design Sumr transformer. All filters, configurations exposed / supported in the chip are exposed in the firmware.

How does it sound? Analog; organic, dynamic, incredible. The 'super slow roll off' filter setting is stunningly natural.

Price? Priced to move aggressively. Got my eye on something else

$800 + paypal fees, plus shipping (SOLD)

 

Sent a pm

 

I have an itch to try one of the newer NOS DAC's. I have a lot of time with Schiit's multibits, I've built a bunch of top end DS DAC's; haven't given a newer NOS a try. I picked up a used Musette - I've read pretty good things about the DAC's built around the 'Transient R-2R' DAC's, figured I'd give one a try.

 

Nice choice. I've been considering doing that...almost picked up that upgraded MHDT Stockholm the other day and was considering ordering one. This one won out because this build is awesome and the five filters might keep me busy/give me some sonic options to mess around with.

As an FYI, I picked this one up to directly compare to my Gungnir Multibit. One or the other will be up on the forums in a couple of weeks. (RAZRr1275 gets right of first refusal on whichever that is).

 

Cool - that'll be a good comparison. This DAC stands up very well to the multibit DAC's - Gungnir Multibit and Yggdrasil. This latest generation of AKM chips have an analog sound to them, with plenty of detail.

 

Wondering how the new flagship 4497 will sound. Are those available yet?

 

samples are available now, not sure when the chips will be. They changed the packaging; I was hoping they could be dropped into this board. Bummer.

 

Yea, I thought you might want to hear it

 

I'd be curious on your impressions as well. I bought the little brother to this DAC (4490 based) and thought it destroyed my friend's Bifrost Multibit that I heard the other day. It seems like this new generation of AKM chips, when implemented well, really fixes a lot of the tonality problems I've heard from other DS sigma chips, while still being very detailed. Comparisons with the 4495 based chip with some of the higher end schiit MB DACs would be awesome though.