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AK4497 DAC
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Author:  Cogito [ October 4th, 2026, 11:36 am ]
Post subject:  AK4497 DAC
This is a AK4497 DIY DAC I built using DIYINHK kits.

As you can probably tell from the photo, I went a overboard with this project — oversized transformers, separate power supplies for each channel, Burson Audio V6 Classic discrete op-amp...

This DAC was displayed in the DCAudioDIY room at Capital Audiofest (CAF) a few years ago. It hasn't been used for the past few years, but it was fully functional the last time I used it.

$100.

Hopefully, a younger DIY audio enthusiast will grab it, have some fun with it, and maybe take the hobby further.

Important safety note: The DAC is not installed in an enclosure, so potentially dangerous voltages are exposed. There is a risk of electric shock if it is handled improperly. Please take it only if you understand how to work safely with exposed electronics. Use and handle entirely at your own risk.


Attachment:
AK4497 DAC_s.jpg
AK4497 DAC_s.jpg [ 87.01 KiB | Viewed 105 times ]


Initially listed it as free but changed to $100, so only those serious about it will get it.
BTW, I wont be providing any post purchase support.
Author:  tomp [ October 4th, 2026, 7:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: AK4497 DAC
The Danville dspNexus uses 4 AK4499 DACS and 4 AK4191 premium Delta Sigma modulators. They are great.
Author:  HAL [ October 5th, 2026, 7:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: AK4497 DAC
The AKM AK4497 was the flagship DAC before the AK4499EX.

I bought an AK4497 DAC board for trials, but it never worked to give it a listen. Glad you got yours working!
Author:  Cogito [ October 5th, 2026, 8:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: AK4497 DAC
HAL wrote:
The AKM AK4497 was the flagship DAC before the AK4499EX.

I bought an AK4497 DAC board for trials, but it never worked to give it a listen. Glad you got yours working!


AK4497 had nice well rounded sonic character. It midrange has tube like lushness. Compared to it, ESS ES9038Q2M chip sounded thinner in the midrange with crisp highs. Sometimes clinical based on the source material.
Author:  HAL [ October 5th, 2026, 8:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: AK4497 DAC
Cogito wrote:
HAL wrote:
The AKM AK4497 was the flagship DAC before the AK4499EX.

I bought an AK4497 DAC board for trials, but it never worked to give it a listen. Glad you got yours working!


AK4497 had nice well rounded sonic character. It midrange has tube like lushness. Compared to it, ESS ES9038Q2M chip sounded thinner in the midrange with crisp highs. Sometimes clinical based on the source material.


Agree, I have never liked ESS DAC's sound. The AKM DAC's sound much better to me.
Author:  tomp [ October 5th, 2026, 11:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: AK4497 DAC
The AKM4191 has a choice of filters. I like the low dispersion short delay filter the best. Think of dispersion as what happens when white light passes through rain drops and forms a rainbow. the different wavelengths/frequencies separate and the color accuracy is compromised. Looks nice on a rainy day, but not great with musical accuracy of the details of different instruments.

Attachment:
AKM4191 filters.pdf [23.38 KiB]
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Author:  SoundMods [ October 5th, 2026, 11:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: AK4497 DAC
Cogito wrote:
AK4497 had nice well rounded sonic character. It midrange has tube like lushness. Compared to it, ESS ES9038Q2M chip sounded thinner in the midrange with crisp highs. Sometimes clinical based on the source material.

And time marches on and waits for no one. ESS did not "sit on their laurels" but continued on to develop the SABRE® ES9038PRO Flagship HyperStream® II 8-channel audio DAC.

It's a beast that lives up to the marketing hype. I have a DAC that was designed around that GEM -- especially nice are available settings to dial-it in.

Attachments:
ESS Sabre ES9038PRO DAC.pdf [2.98 MiB]
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