https://www.akm.com/eu/en/about-us/news/2022/20220420-ak4499ex/
It looks like we will be getting a new "DAC system", consisting of two chips, one doing the DSP & ΔΣ modulation and one being the actual DAC, much like the previously announced pair of AK4191 & AK4498.
So the DSP & ΔΣ modulation will be performed by the previously announced (but never really seen by the general public) AK4191, and the DAC will be done by the new part AK4499EX (which looks like a 2-channel version of the AK4499 with the digital components removed).
So AKM is slowly making a comeback..
It looks like we will be getting a new "DAC system", consisting of two chips, one doing the DSP & ΔΣ modulation and one being the actual DAC, much like the previously announced pair of AK4191 & AK4498.
So the DSP & ΔΣ modulation will be performed by the previously announced (but never really seen by the general public) AK4191, and the DAC will be done by the new part AK4499EX (which looks like a 2-channel version of the AK4499 with the digital components removed).
So AKM is slowly making a comeback..
Interesting for people who want to do the DSP part themselves, they can use an FPGA and an AK4499EX.
For AKG, it has the advantage that they can do the digital signal processing in a more modern (smaller, hence cheaper per gate) process than they use for the DAC, and maybe outsource it to some foundry if needed. Besides, keeping the DSP stuff at some distance may reduce crosstalk (if the interference from the seven CMOS data inputs doesn't spoil that).
For AKG, it has the advantage that they can do the digital signal processing in a more modern (smaller, hence cheaper per gate) process than they use for the DAC, and maybe outsource it to some foundry if needed. Besides, keeping the DSP stuff at some distance may reduce crosstalk (if the interference from the seven CMOS data inputs doesn't spoil that).
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Yeah, yeah,
. it was time to go from 3th SDM to 7th order...
. jitter better??
. Not any jitter figures seen as previous series even on ADC
. may better using lower clock rate than ESS with crappy oscillator with high PN, so AKM is better in this regards
. still the old VREF switching reference night mare, as the behind the conversion cap's
. so to play at least 2.. 4x as the old AK4499 😀
. I still do not like the FIR filter... spline would be the 😀
. it will sound any way different, as allwys 😀 😀
. the follow on question comes: how about 7th order ADC's ??
. it was time to go from 3th SDM to 7th order...
. jitter better??
. Not any jitter figures seen as previous series even on ADC
. may better using lower clock rate than ESS with crappy oscillator with high PN, so AKM is better in this regards
. still the old VREF switching reference night mare, as the behind the conversion cap's
. so to play at least 2.. 4x as the old AK4499 😀
. I still do not like the FIR filter... spline would be the 😀
. it will sound any way different, as allwys 😀 😀
. the follow on question comes: how about 7th order ADC's ??
Seems to imply here that its a multi-bit design, not delta sigma?
https://audioxpress.com/news/akm-developed-new-flagship-velvet-sound-ak4499exeq-stereo-d-a-converter
However,
https://www-cool3c-com.translate.go...uto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp
AKM4499EX only retains the analog structure of DAC conversion. The digital filtering and Sigma-Delta conversion that were originally integrated in AK4499 were changed to AK4191 external chip processing
AK4499EX is a DAC solution chip that completely separates the digital and analog parts. It separates the digital filtering and Sigma-Delta conversion in the original AK4499 architecture to further reduce distortion and improve performance; in the reference design, the AK4191 is responsible for digital filtering and Sigma-Delta. In the digital part of the conversion, the digital and analog clocks can also be separated by asynchronous operation, enabling high-precision digital-to-analog conversion with low jitter clocks, and supporting ultra-high sound quality up to PCM 64bit / 1,536kHz and DSD 44.8MHz Music Specifications.
https://audioxpress.com/news/akm-developed-new-flagship-velvet-sound-ak4499exeq-stereo-d-a-converter
However,
https://www-cool3c-com.translate.go...uto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp
AKM4499EX only retains the analog structure of DAC conversion. The digital filtering and Sigma-Delta conversion that were originally integrated in AK4499 were changed to AK4191 external chip processing
AK4499EX is a DAC solution chip that completely separates the digital and analog parts. It separates the digital filtering and Sigma-Delta conversion in the original AK4499 architecture to further reduce distortion and improve performance; in the reference design, the AK4191 is responsible for digital filtering and Sigma-Delta. In the digital part of the conversion, the digital and analog clocks can also be separated by asynchronous operation, enabling high-precision digital-to-analog conversion with low jitter clocks, and supporting ultra-high sound quality up to PCM 64bit / 1,536kHz and DSD 44.8MHz Music Specifications.
Still Delta / Sigma (see picture!!!) as SDM 7. order to have more headroom and better THD by higher order 😀 ... new are switched resistors than capacitors... as AVG too.
It's a seven-bit DAC that requires lots of noise shaping and oversampling. Nowadays those are usually called multibit delta-sigma or multibit sigma-delta DACs.
Wondering how it knows which data is for which channel, given there are only master and bit clocks? Since there are 7 data bits, an odd number, can't be half of them are for each channel. Maybe data bit codes are added for routing channel data?
So the show / debut is over, now confidential data sheets available and what is/was the beef at the show? Any demonstration given?
As I see from the data sheets: each AK4191 & AK4499Ex have to be control by external gear...
Hp
As I see from the data sheets: each AK4191 & AK4499Ex have to be control by external gear...
Hp
Meh, how to make it completely unsuitable for my purposes. having to use an AK4499EX for every 2 channels is just ridiculous for multichannel DSP/XO. At least with the ;last version and 4 channels it was borderline useable if you wanted that extra few db over ESS, now, nope. 8 channels is a bare minimum for a speaker crossover these days. 4 pieces of 4499EX? yeah-nah
AK4499 was switched resistor, but the 4498 was based on 4497 which was the conventional V-out switched cap architecture.
It's too bad there is no new AK4499EQ replacement in a single chip. This 2 chip approach is neat to offer but a lot of extra space and cost for likely no real audible benefit.
Yep. Whether you like ESS or not, you have to admit they have read the market better than most.
True that.
Also, I realize I may need to explain my lingo for some readers (Not you @chris719 , pretty sure you've taken the right meaning). Yeah-nah is Australian and particularly Queensland vernacular for 'No'. Basically it translates to 'ive considered it, and no'. Yeah-nah-yeah means 'not really sure, but OK', but you wont se me use that in text very often 🙂
Also, I realize I may need to explain my lingo for some readers (Not you @chris719 , pretty sure you've taken the right meaning). Yeah-nah is Australian and particularly Queensland vernacular for 'No'. Basically it translates to 'ive considered it, and no'. Yeah-nah-yeah means 'not really sure, but OK', but you wont se me use that in text very often 🙂
AK4493S is a reincarnation of the old AK4493. It was a popular chip, so AKM wanted to reintroduce it as soon as possible.
AKM is IMHO on a long long road or even longest... no light on the tunnel, may only lights from the other part of the road 😀
Or anyone got samples as ak4499ex or ak4493s on own hands yet ...
Or anyone got samples as ak4499ex or ak4493s on own hands yet ...