Will the AK4499EX successor come out in 2025?

[tyanlion]

I was wondering if now is a good time to invest in a high end AK dac, looking to replace my EX5 which had sabres in them and test the AK? Will the AK4499EX successor come out in 2025?

I queried AI on the timeline of their releases it seems to be every 3 years, not sure how true the information it gave is. Based on its information if AK follows the same schedule, this year will be the year for a successor.

"""
AKM has a history of releasing new flagship DACs approximately every three years, based on recent product launches:
• AK4497: Released in 2016, this was part of AKM’s third-generation 32-bit premium DAC lineup.
• AK4499: Launched in 2019, it marked AKM’s first current-output DAC and featured significant improvements in specifications.
• AK4499EX: Introduced in 2022, this DAC built upon the AK4499 with enhanced design and performance.
""""

 

[staticV3]

I was wondering if now is a good time to invest in a high end AK dac

To be frank, there is never a good time to invest in a high end DAC.

You simply will not see a return in sound quality.

Actual improvements in sound quality can be had by keeping your EX5 and investing in new speakers, room treatment, or room correction instead.

 

[unpluggged]

queried AI on the timeline of their releases it seems to be every 3 years

I wonder why this "AI" did not tell you that the AK4497 was not a "flagship" (top of the lineup) DAC in the first place and why it did not tell you that the AK4499EX is a stripped-down (two channels versus four) successor of the AK4499EQ after the fire.

Now, two questions:
1) why does it at all matter to you? Is the current AK4499EQ in any way flawed? If so, get a product with any other chip (but in reality there is no reason to chase after specific DAC chips).
2) do you rely on everything AI throws out at you?

 

[tyanlion]

I wonder why this "AI" did not tell you that the AK4497 was not a "flagship" (top of the lineup) DAC in the first place and why it did not tell you that the AK4499EX is a stripped-down (two channels versus four) successor of the AK4499EQ after the fire.

Now, two questions:
1) why does it at all matter to you? Is the current AK4499EQ in any way flawed? If so, get a product with any other chip (but in reality there is no reason to chase after specific DAC chips).
2) do you rely on everything AI throws out at you?

1) Well I mean if I buy a DAC with an AK4499EQ right now it will be kinda of a waste if new models appear 2-3 months down the road.

2) do you rely on everything AI throws out at you?
No I don't thats why I am asking in the forums. I already said in my post I am not sure if what the AI is stating is right.

 

[tyanlion]

To be frank, there is never a good time to invest in a high end DAC.

You simply will not see a return in sound quality.

Actual improvements in sound quality can be had by keeping your EX5 and investing in new speakers, room treatment, or room correction instead.

I am not going to further invest in any new speakers at the moment or in the future, I am pretty happy with the kh80 + kh750 combo. My EX5 is currently broken so I am looking to replace it with a new dac.

 

[staticV3]

1) Well I mean if I buy a DAC with an AK4499EQ right now it will be kinda of a waste if new models appear 2-3 months down the road.

The AK4497 was a transparent (read: audibly flawless) converter back in 2016 and the release of the AK4499, AK4499EQ, and AK4499EX have not made it any less so.

Ditto for the AK4499EX once its successor is launched.

Your mindset towards converter chips seems rooted in consumer culture (bigger number better) instead of sound rationale.

 

[solderdude]

1) Well I mean if I buy a DAC with an AK4499EQ right now it will be kinda of a waste if new models appear 2-3 months down the road.

That is the case with anything you buy.

There are a few reasons to be worry about when buying a DAC. The DAC chip used is not one of them.
At best they can squeeze a dB or so here and there which are inconsequential in real life. They only matter on spec sheets.
The 2nd hand value usually has nothing to do with the used DAC chip.

What might be a bummer is when the new version comes out and it has more desirable functionality.

Don't let marketing talk and subjective reviews about the importance of the DAC chip get to you.
The implementation of DAC chip(s) and components around it have much more impact on the specs/functionality.

 

[voodooless]

kh80 + kh750 combo

They are DSP speakers and will do AD/DC conversion. I would not focus on any high-end DAC

 

[tyanlion]

That is the case with anything you buy.

There are a few reasons to be worry about when buying a DAC. The DAC chip used is not one of them.
At best they can squeeze a dB or so here and there which are inconsequential in real life. They only matter on spec sheets.
The 2nd hand value usually has nothing to do with the used DAC chip.

What might be a bummer is when the new version comes out and it has more desirable functionality.

"What might be a bummer is when the new version comes out and it has more desirable functionality." Yeah thats the FOMO I always get with computers and electronics. I usually time my electronic purchases at the beginning of a new model cycle if I can. "The 2nd hand value usually has nothing to do with the used DAC chip." In other electronic fields, I think it has to do with model more tbh. Current model will always be more expensive than the previous model.

 

[tyanlion]

They are DSP speakers and will do AD/DC conversion. I would not focus on any high-end DAC

I have had a whole thread trying to connect the KH750 digitally to my computer. Didn't turn out well so I gave up on the idea.

How to link an optical out to the KH750 sub digitally, optical to aes bnc

Speakers included I assume? Yes, the KH750 applies DSP to both itself and its outputs to the main speakers. This is mostly automated with Neumann's MA1 software, though manual tweaking is possible.

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[solderdude]

FOMO might prevent you from enjoying what you already have and buying something you want ... the grass is always greener etc.
Just know the DAC chip should never be the deciding factor for buying any DAC.
Regardless how loud some folks shout about DAC sound signatures.

 

[staticV3]

I am not going to further invest in any new speakers at the moment or in the future, I am pretty happy with the kh80 + kh750 combo.

With the KH750+KH80, the highest fidelity will be achieved using the KH750's SPDIF input in combination with the MA1 microphone.

That makes any money spent on fancy external DACs in search of higher fidelity utterly pointless.

Therefore, I'd suggest you buy an SMSL PO100 2024 USB to SPDIF interface and an MA1 microphone in case you don't have one already.

Do PC->USB->PO100->SPDIF->KH750->XLR->KH80 and you can pocket the rest, knowing that you're using your Neumann speakers' full potential.

 

[tyanlion]

FOMO might prevent you from enjoying what you already have ... the grass is always greener etc.
Just know the DAC chip should never be the deciding factor for buying any DAC.
Regardless how loud some folks shout about DAC sound signatures.

Well I am not in a super hurry at the moment to buy the dac, I have a focucite 2i2 which I am using as my current dac, the sounds is ok. I can live with it for a year, no biggie.

 

[tyanlion]

With the KH750+KH80, the highest fidelity will be achieved using the KH750's SPDIF input in combination with the MA1 microphone.

That makes any money spent on fancy external DACs in search of higher fidelity utterly pointless.

Therefore, I'd suggest you buy an SMSL PO100 2024 USB to SPDIF interface and an MA1 microphone in case you don't have one already.

Do PC->USB->PO100->SPDIF->KH750->XLR->KH80 and you can pocket the rest, knowing that you're using your Neumann speakers' full potential.

Yeah I went through that ordeal in this thread

How to link an optical out to the KH750 sub digitally, optical to aes bnc

Speakers included I assume? Yes, the KH750 applies DSP to both itself and its outputs to the main speakers. This is mostly automated with Neumann's MA1 software, though manual tweaking is possible.

www.audiosciencereview.com

the problem is I need a toslink to coxial conversion but I don't want to pay too much for it. I was thiking of the PO100, but I would need to get it in conjunction with a wiim pro

 

[staticV3]

Yeah I went through that ordeal in this thread

How to link an optical out to the KH750 sub digitally, optical to aes bnc

Speakers included I assume? Yes, the KH750 applies DSP to both itself and its outputs to the main speakers. This is mostly automated with Neumann's MA1 software, though manual tweaking is possible.

www.audiosciencereview.com

the problem is I need a toslink to coxial conversion but I don't want to pay too much for it. I was thiking of the PO100, but I would need to get it in conjunction with a wiim pro

Remind me again, besides your computer (Mac or PC?), are there any other devices like a PS5, Apple TV box, or your TV that you'd like to listen to through your Neumann speakers?

If so, could you please list them?

 

[tyanlion]

I don't want to beat a dead horse further but I mean I understand ppl are trying to find the "underlying problem" figuring out what my needs are and trying to fix that but I think I have done my due diligence on that, the digital although was good had some problems that I don't want to live with. The dac route has less issues imo, and always worked fine for me. If any responders don't know if the next AK chip and are trying instead to address an "underlying problem" with the question I don't think thats being useful. I mean I simiply want to know if there is market information on the next AK flagship chip, I can wait because I have a substitute dac.

 

[tyanlion]

Remind me again, besides your computer (Mac or PC?), are there any other devices like a PS5, Apple TV box, or your TV that you'd like to listen to through your Neumann speakers?

If so, could you please list them?

PC, mac, switch , ps5, etc, I have my ports on my monitor fully utilised.

 

[unpluggged]

They are DSP speakers and will do AD/DC conversion.

Even two rounds thereof: in the sub and in the monitors

P.S. BTW, the DAC of the KH 750 DSP is more than enough for anyone. No way I'm going back to feeding my KH 120's directly from my ADI-2 Pro (now this is a statement, considering my well-known RME advocacy )

 

[tyanlion]

Even two rounds thereof: in the sub and in the monitors

I have tried that solution in fact you were in the thread: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-optical-to-aes-bnc.59608/page-2#post-2190421

 

[unpluggged]

I have tried that solution in fact you were in the thread: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-optical-to-aes-bnc.59608/page-2#post-2190421

Yes, but I still don't fully understand your situation, hence I can not recommend anything besides looking for a more suitable audio switch/hub/digital preamp of sorts. It's a bit unconventional to use a computer monitor as a digital audio input hub, so no wonder things do not work out as well and as easy...