The HB1 is a new portable DAC/amp by Astell & Kern that stands out for its Bluetooth receiver feature, ability to use microphone headphones with a cable, and compatibility with devices like the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 that use the UAC 1.0 connection. It also comes with interchangeable cables, including USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to Lightning for iPhone or iPad usage.
The Astell & Kern HB1 has both a 3.5mm (“traditional”) output and a 4.4mm balanced output. The dongle uses 4 poles (TRRS) for the “traditional” connection instead of three (TRS), allowing for headphones with a microphone attached to the cable.
The HB1 integrated microphone can be used by the user if desired. It offers clear voice quality and stability through advanced technologies like Knowles’ high-quality MEMS microphone and Qualcomm’s CVc Generation 8.0 call solution with Clear Voice Capture technology, which reduces background noise for clear vocals.
Astell & Kern stated that the HB1 will soon be awarded the “Roon Tested” certification, confirming that the DAC/amp has undergone testing with the Roon app through USB and Bluetooth to guarantee “easy setup and daily operation”.
Consoles are supported by UAC versions 1.0 and 2.0.
Astell & Kern made the HB1 compatible with both UAC 1.0 and 2.0 to enable its use with a wider range of devices, such as the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, which still utilize UAC1.
There is no mode for turning off the line.
A user in the Head-Fi forum inquired about the possibility of a “line out” mode for the HB1 DAC/amp to solely function as a DAC and link to an amplifier. Regrettably, the company confirmed that this feature was not incorporated.
Bluetooth connection and compatible file types
Astell&Kern states that HB1 is compatible with LDAC, aptX HD, AAC, and SBC Bluetooth codecs. The dongle also supports the MQA format from Tidal, DSD256 playback, and a maximum audio file resolution of 32-bit/384 kHz.
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AK Control App
While the Astell & Kern HB1 functions as a USB Plug & Play device, additional features are accessible via the AK Control app, which is compatible with Android and iOS devices.
Introduction and release dates
The Astell & Kern HB1 Bluetooth DAC/amp is set to launch in November 2023 with a price tag of $259.