Unfortunately there is some "magic" about AKM DAC's. Of the premium AKM DAC's only the new AK4499 is a current output DAC. The remainder of the AKM DAC's are voltage output DAC's.
Voltage output DAC's are less expensive to implement than current output DAC's. Current output DAC's require I/V converters, which in the case of higher level DAC's should include high performance, more expensive opamps. The added opamps would require more board space, added power, and generate more heat. For the seemly thousands of PRC two-channel DAC's this isn't huge issue, but becomes really significant for multi-channel products.
AKM managed to get very good to excellent performance, and robust 2V output, from a voltage output DAC.
So has Cirrus. I don’t think you have a lot of experience with the industry if you’re missing them, no offense. In fact, Cirrus has capabilities that arguably exceed AKM, they just don’t sell some of these chips to the public. There’s a reason they are an Apple supplier. Take a look at the measurements of CS4398 and CS5381 from 20 years ago, or CS43198 / CS43131. Most of the real innovation has been happening in the low power space.
So, no, I don’t think there is any magic.
AK4458 is a bit better than the closest substitute that Cirrus has at 8ch, though, but I doubt the difference is meaningful.
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