Astell&Kern HC5 - Quality Sound in the Palm of Your Hand

 4⭐️

+ Musical, mature, and lush sound signature that pairs great with any tuning

+ Full and smooth with a sweet timbre and good extension on both ends 

+ Ease of use: simple plug and play

+ Clear OLED display and easy-to-navigate menus

+ 6 digital filters and DAR upscaling

+ 150-step independent volume control 

+ Solid aesthetic and design 

+ Case included

- Not for those seeking the pinnacle of detail and separation 

- Not as feature rich as I would expect: no gain modes, EQ, or Bluetooth 

- Build quality feels a little cheap and disappointing for the price

- A slightly smaller and slimmer form factor would be nice

- Drains the source battery fairly quickly

- Price could be more competitive in today's saturated market

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended

☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This product was loaned to me by Astell&Kern for an honest and impartial review. I receive no compensation, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Non-affiliated link for those interested:

https://bloomaudio.com/products/astell-kern-hc5

Gear used: 

● Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

● HiBy R3 II

● Various IEMs

Source:

● Listening was done using Amazon Music HD/Ultra HD and local FLAC files. 

Introduction:

Astell&Kern is a recognizable name in the high-end audiophile market. The company was founded back in 2013 and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. They are perhaps most well known for their luxury DAPs like the A&ultima SP4000, but they also have many collaborative IEMs such as the NOVUS and the more recent Stella. The company even produces some budget-friendly DACs in their HC line, the latest of which is the new HC5. It's the first to feature a screen and also the first to utilize the AK4499EX DAC chip, which is usually reserved for its high-end DAPs in the Ultima line. The HC5 has an MSRP of $450, which brings this flagship chip to a much more affordable market. Let's break down this latest offering from Astell&Kern and see how it performs.

Unboxing and build quality:

The HC5 has a simple yet nice unboxing experience. It comes in small, no-frills packaging and includes two USB-C cables, a protective case, and the usual manual and warranty information. The HC5 is made of aluminum and features a sleek and simple design. It's silver in color and rectangular in shape with concave sides that add a nice aesthetic flair. The unit is on the small side for a portable DAC/amp, but it is a little bigger than I expected, though it can still easily fit in a small bag or case with a pair of headphones or IEMs. On the face of the HC5 is a glass panel that runs the length of the unit with an OLED display embedded within. This screen displays various status information and is used to navigate through the menus (more on that later). There are both 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs on one end, and the USB-C connection and volume control wheel on the other. On the side of the unit next to the wheel is a single multifunction button, which I'll cover in more depth below. As for the build quality of the unit itself, the HC5 feels sturdy enough and has a bit of weight to it, but for me, it lacks a certain level of refinement and luxury. Astell&Kern's reputation precedes it, and I was expecting much better, especially considering the nearly $500 price. It's also a little lighter in weight than I expected. I'm not necessarily advocating that heavier always translates to better, but I have noticed a correlation between more expensive products and a heftier, solid build quality. The HC5 draws its power directly from the connected source, so there's no internal battery. I really like the fact that I don't have to worry about keeping yet another device charged, but constantly draining the battery of the connected device can be a bit of a drag. There are two cables included in the box: one USB-C to USB-C and one USB-C to Lightning. They are fine, if not a little stiff. Also inside the box is a light brown protective case made of polyurethane. Like the HC5 itself, the case feels lightweight and decent enough, but it lacks a certain premium feel. However, I have to give them credit for including a case at all, and the fact that the Astell&Kern branding on the back of the case is in the same place as it is on the body of the HC5 is a nice design touch. Overall, the HC5's build quality is just fine. I certainly would never guess just by the look and feel that it costs nearly $450, which is to say I'm left a little underwhelmed upon first impression. Let's hope the sound and features exude more of a premium quality than the build itself. 

Technical specifications and features:

• Dimensions: 32mm x 64.3mm x 16mm

• Weight: 1.62oz

• DAC: AKM AK4191EQ + AK4499EX

• 1.62" OLED Display

• 150-step Volume Control

• PCM : 8kHz ~ 768kHz (8/16/24/32bits per Sample)

• DSD Native: DSD64(1bit 2.8MHz), Stereo / DSD128(1bit 5.6MHz), Stereo /

• DSD256(1bit 11.2MHz), Stereo / DSD512(1bit 22.4MHz) Stereo

• Output Level: Unbalanced 2.5Vrms / Balanced 5Vrms (Condition No Load)

• Input: USB-C

• Output: 3.5mm (Unbalanced), 4.4mm (Balanced, Only 5-pole supported)

• 6 Digital Filters 

• USB 1.0 and 2.0

• Frequency Response: ±0.006dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalanced, Balanced │ ±0.06dB (Condition : 20Hz~70kHz) Unbalanced, Balanced

• SNR: 121dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ 125dB @ 1kHz, Balanced

• Crosstalk: -139dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ -141dB @ 1kHz, Balanced

• THD+N: 0.0005% @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ 0.0004% @ 1kHz, Balanced

• IMD SMPTE: 0.0006% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) Unbalanced │ 0.0005% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) Balanced

• Output Impedance: Unbalanced Out 3.5mm (0.5ohm) │ Balanced Out 3.5mm 4.4mm(1.1ohm)

There are a few things to talk about here, but overall I'd say the HC5 feels a little light on features for the price. First, operating the HC5 is pretty straightforward: simply plug it into your source of choice, and it powers on quickly. There is no internal battery, so you can only look through the menus when it's connected to a device. I have to commend A&K for making the menus easy to navigate with just a single multifunction button. The OLED display is sharp and crisp, yet not too bright, which is good considering there's no option to adjust the brightness. A single push of the button will toggle the display, which shows various information like the volume level, DAR function, USB mode, and sample rate. A double-click will lock the device, disabling the volume wheel, which protects against accidental adjustments. Holding the button while the display is active will open the menus, and another single press will toggle through the options. These include DAR modes, filters, UAC modes, screen time options, and screen rotation. Holding the button again with one of these selected allows for toggling between the various options within each category, and another double-click will return to the previous menu. Starting with the DAR modes, the HC5 allows for upscaling PCM and DSD formats. Next, there are six digital filters consisting of sharp roll-off, slow roll-off, short delay sharp roll-off, short delay slow roll-off, super slow roll-off, and low dispersion. Like most filters I've come across, the differences are very subtle, so don't expect much from toggling between them. Personally, I found that the super slow roll-off has the most obvious effect, which is an increase in the bass response. The UAC mode can toggle between 1.0 and 2.0, allowing the HC5 to be paired with various gaming devices. The screen time option dictates how long the screen is illuminated once it's gone idle, and the screen rotation allows for the display to be flipped for use in either configuration. The volume control wheel is pretty self-explanatory. The HC5 has 150-step independent volume control, which is great for fine-tuning the level to your needs. Notably missing from the HC5 are a gain toggle and Bluetooth connection, though adding wireless functionality plus the required battery to run it would likely make the form factor larger and arguably drive up the price even higher. I understand not every device needs to be wireless nowadays, so it's not a deal-breaker for me, but it is worth noting. Also, despite the HC5's ease of use, one minor complaint I have is that it times out to the main screen too quickly. I would like time to toggle between the filter options without it kicking me out of the menu after only 5 seconds. A&K lists the HC5's output power at 2.5 Vrms and 5 Vrms for unbalanced and balanced modes, respectively. Given the usual standard of 32 Ohms, that roughly translates to about 195 mW for the unbalanced output and 780 mW for the balanced, but my math skills have never been the best, so double-check it for yourself. If these conversions are accurate, the balanced output has plenty of juice, but the unbalanced is a little underpowered. Still, I had no issues driving any of my IEMs, though I almost exclusively use 4.4mm terminations on all my cables. Technically, there is a companion app for the HC line of products, but I couldn't get it to recognize the HC5. This isn't a big loss since I think it's mostly used for volume control on their older devices, but adding EQ through the app would be nice. Overall, the HC5 offers a decent suite of features and options to help the consumer tailor the sound to their needs, but as with the build quality, I'm left a little underwhelmed here as well.

Power consumption:

With my devices in airplane mode, I let my library play at a medium-high volume while limiting unnecessary screen interaction. Here are the battery drain results after one hour:

~45% on HiBy R3 II through 4.4 and ~40% through 3.5.

~10% on Galaxy S25 Ultra through 4.4 and ~9% through 3.5.

Honestly, the results of the tests were a little disappointing. I expected the R3 II not to perform as well because it's an older device, but I didn't think the HC5 would draw as much power from the phone as it did. Also, the 3.5mm output wasn't much more efficient than the 4.4mm. Keep in mind that's with the phone in airplane mode and not interacting with it at all. If you planned to take the HC5 on the go and use it for longer sessions, it would chew through the source's battery well before a full workday. It's also worth noting that the HC5 can get a little warm over time but never outright hot to the touch.

Comparisons: For the sake of consistency, I used only the HC5's sharp roll-off filter for the following comparisons. 

● Questyle Sigma ($600) - Here I'm pitting the HC5 against one of the newer juggernauts of performance on the market. I recently reviewed the new Questyle Sigma and praised its output power, clean sound quality, and stellar build quality. The HC5 is made mostly of aluminum with a small glass display, while the Sigma features a heavier and sturdier build with a giant glass panel revealing the circuitry within. However, it notably lacks a screen of any kind, instead relying on various indicator lights to display information. Size-wise, the HC5 is much smaller, about a third the size of the Sigma, making it the better travel companion, but when it comes to build quality, the Sigma blows it out of the water. Although it has a higher price tag, the Sigma feels vastly more premium than the HC5. It also features many more buttons and switches, though the HC5's ease of use is a plus for me. One thing the HC5 has over the Sigma, though, is the included case, whereas the Sigma's case must be purchased separately. Both devices include 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs, but that's where their similarities end. The HC5 offers DAR modes and six digital filters, while the Sigma has an internal battery, Bluetooth connection, low/high gain, and dedicated headphone and IEM modes. The Sigma is also more powerful, making it easier to drive power-hungry transducers. When it comes to sound, the Sigma has a very clear, detailed, and almost analytical signature, while the HC5 is richer, fuller, and more natural-sounding. In the bass, the Sigma has a cleaner texture and better separation and resolution. The HC5, on the other hand, has a richness, fullness, and a sense of depth that is quite endearing. It's also a touch more impactful, and the decay sounds just a bit slower. In the midrange, vocals sound more soulful, and like the bass, there's more depth here too. The Sigma, though, has better instrument detail and clarity, which might be preferable for some. As for the treble, the Sigma definitely sounds brighter and airier with more crispness and detail. The HC5 isn't rolled off per se, but there is noticeably less of an edge, and the way it rounds off the notes can be quite nice with certain pairings. When comparing the technicalities, the Sigma has better imaging, detail retrieval, separation, and a wider soundstage. The HC5, though, has a sweeter timbre, more soundstage depth, and more note weight. Overall, these two are quite different not only in their features and build quality but also in their sound signatures. I think they can definitely coexist in a collection, as they complement each other well. The HC5 is the more musical and dynamic of the two, but if you want to draw out all the details and minutiae, the Sigma has a much cleaner and more resolving nature. 

● Questyle M18i ($350) - This matchup features another Questyle DAC/amp. The M18i has a much smaller form factor than the Sigma, but it's still a bit longer and thinner than the HC5. They have similar build qualities, both being composed of a combination of aluminum and glass, but the M18i feels a bit sturdier and more premium. Personally, I prefer the design of the M18i, too, because it's sleeker and more upscale-looking, though the HC5 has a bigger and better screen and a wheel instead of buttons for volume control. Like the Sigma, the M18i has a case, but it has to be purchased separately, while the HC5 comes with one included. When it comes to features, these two don't share much in common outside of the 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs. The M18i is a bit barebones, offering just a low/high gain toggle and Bluetooth connectivity, both of which are lacking in the HC5. However, the HC5 includes DAR upscaling, digital filters, and 150-step volume control compared to the 60-step of the M18i. Moving on to the sound, the HC5 again sounds richer, fuller, and more musically focused compared to the M18i's clean yet dynamic style. The HC5's low end is fuller and more lush, with more reverberation and a better sense of depth. The M18i definitely isn't as full-sounding, but it does have a certain quickness and elasticity that makes it more resolving and better separated for complex tracks. These characteristics also transfer over to the midrange, where the M18i has clean yet vibrant and detailed vocals, while the HC5, in contrast, exhibits depth, fullness, and a certain engaging maturity. The treble responses of these two aren't all that dissimilar, though the M18i has a bit more crispness and edginess, whereas the HC5 tends to round out the notes just a little more. Technical performance wise, the M18i has better detail retrieval, separation, dynamics, and a more natural timbre, while the HC5 has a bigger soundstage, better layering, and more note weight. Overall, this matchup is very close. These two devices aren't all that dissimilar, but the M18i has a cleaner and well-manicured sound signature that's far from sterile. The HC5 has a fuller, deeper, and somewhat smoother style, but it lacks some of the nuance and detail of the M18i. I'm not sure owning both is totally necessary, and I would probably advocate for the cheaper option that just so happens to have a more premium build and Bluetooth. But those that prioritize a richer, deeper bass and midrange response over detail and separation should consider the HC5.

● iFi hipdac 3 ($200) - These two DAC/amps are very different, not only in their size and form factors, but also functionally. The hipdac is quite a bit larger and has a sturdier aluminum body and a more premium feel, though it lacks a screen like the HC5. It does, however, have an internal battery, which helps keep it from draining the source, but also means the hipdac must be kept charged to be useful. Both devices utilize a wheel for volume control and have 3.5 and 4.4 outputs, but unlike the prior comparisons, neither of these devices offers Bluetooth connectivity. The hipdac includes a few iFi staples like XBass and IEMatch, as well as Power Match, which is essentially a low/high gain button. The HC5 instead offers DAR upscaling and digital filter options. As for the sound, the hipdac has more of an energetic V-shaped signature, while the HC5 is thicker, smoother, and a touch more relaxed in comparison. In the bass, it's no surprise that the HC5 sounds fuller, richer, and more impactful, but the hipdac has a cleaner texture, better resolution, and deeper-reaching extension. The HC5, though, has an extra layer of rumble and reverberation, as well as a slightly slower decay that makes it sound a bit more natural to my ear. The midrange is actually where I hear the biggest difference due to how the hipdac sucks out some of the lower midrange in favor of an upper-mids emphasis. The HC5 lends more weight to male vocals and lower-register instruments. It also has an added depth and a sense of musicality. The hip-DAC, though, has a touch more width here and a slightly drier and better-separated presentation that some may prefer. In the treble, there are a few key differences worth noting. The hipdac is a touch brighter and airier, and it brings a level of crispness and a bit of an edge to things like cymbals and snares, while the HC5 tends to round out the notes a little in favor of a smoother presentation. When it comes to technicalities, the HC5 delivers more note weight, as well as a deeper soundstage, better timbre, and better layering. The hipdac has better separation, imaging, and detail retrieval. This matchup is really a matter of cleanliness versus lushness, the hipdac being the former and the HC5 the latter. In a sense, they complement each other quite well, even in their features, since the hipdac has things the HC5 does not, and vice versa. But when it comes to pure musical enjoyment, the HC5 is the way to go, at least with the IEMs I used in my testing. It just has a naturalness and musicality that go hand in hand, combining to form something special.

● DUNU DTC480 ($70) - This matchup seems quite unfair on paper, but I find that it's always a good idea to compare more expensive devices against some of the better budget options out there. Despite being much cheaper, the DTC480 actually feels like it has a solid build quality that rivals the HC5. It's also about half the size, making it quite easy to use on the go. Feature-wise, the DTC480 is about as bare-bones as they come, offering only volume buttons and low/high gain modes, which is actually something the HC5 lacks. But the HC5 does offer a volume wheel with more steps, DAR upscaling, six digital filters, and various display information through the OLED screen, as well as a notable increase in power output. The HC5 also comes with a case, though I'd argue the DTC480 doesn't need one since its all-aluminum build provides plenty of protection. Moving on to the sound, the HC5 has more depth, musicality, and a certain natural and organic quality that differs from the DTC480's slightly cleaner and more dynamic presentation. The first area I noticed a difference was in the bass. The HC5 sounds fuller and exhibits an extra level of sub-bass extension and rumble that the DTC480 cannot quite match. Vocals are also smoother and slightly less forward with an added layer of depth, though the DTC480 sounds a little cleaner and more open in the midrange. The HC5 manages to round out some of the sharper treble notes, which I appreciate, and like the bass, it has better extension here too. But the DTC480 has a certain edge, sharpness, and crispness in the treble that others may prefer. Talking technicalities, the HC5 has better note weight, dynamics, layering, imaging, and a bigger, more expansive stage, whereas the DTC480 is a bit better separated, though it lacks the balance and sheer musicality of the HC5. These two devices actually complement each other well. While the DTC480's cleaner presentation may pair better with "messier" IEMs, it's not a stretch to say the HC5 generally sounds better to my ear in almost every way, but the upgrade does come with a premium price.

Sound impressions:

Throughout my testing, I noticed some consistencies in the HC5's sound signature. It has a certain fullness, depth, and maturity that make it a fantastic pairing for most IEMs, for instance, the DUNU Brain Dance. It takes the clean and precise nature of the BD's tuning and adds layers of musicality on top of the already great technical performance, elevating it to new heights. There's added bass extension and rumble, and better depth and layering in the midrange with a sweeter vocal timbre. It even manages to extend the treble and round out the edges on sharper notes, making for a smoother, more musical, and less dry presentation. The soundstage, layering, imaging, and dynamics are all taken up a notch too, though the argument could be made that the detail retrieval and separation suffer slightly. It's not that there's a loss of detail per se, but some more nuanced things are slightly less obvious, and there's less space between notes in favor of a smoother, fuller presentation. But as good as the HC5 pairs with something as technically savvy as the Brain Dance, it surprisingly pairs equally well with something less analytical, like the DUNU DaVinci. In this case, it adds greater impact, a slightly cleaner texture, and a touch of resolution to one of my favorite bass responses without affecting the quantity. There's also a noticeable clarity and precision throughout the entire frequency response that further elevates the DaVinci, making it sound like a more expensive IEM. In fact, with the multitude of IEMs I used in my testing, the results were consistent: the HC5 takes what's inherently good about a particular tuning and pushes it to new heights while simultaneously covering up some of its shortcomings, making for a great pairing with nearly any tuning or transducer.

In conclusion:

Astell&Kern's new HC5 portable DAC/amp features the company's first implementation of the flagship AK4499EX DAC chip outside of its high-end DAPs. When it comes right down to sound quality, the HC5 has it where it counts. It conveys a rich, full, musical, and certainly enjoyable sound signature with added depth and a sweet timbre that pairs well with any tuning. However, the biggest barrier to enjoyment here may be the price. At $450, the HC5 feels a bit lackluster in both build quality and features for the cost. Its lightweight, mostly aluminum build likely won't turn any heads, and many cheaper devices offer low/high gain modes, EQ, and Bluetooth. It's also quite a drain on the battery of the connected source, though there is something to be said about its ease of use, simple plug-and-play nature, and clear OLED display. As it stands, I can certainly recommend it, but perhaps not as vehemently as I had hoped going into the review process. The HC5 manages to inject a wonderfully rich, lush, and mature flavor into your favorite headphones or IEMs, elevating them to a higher level of musicality, but in my opinion, the price of admission may be a bit steep for what you get. It's still a solid DAC/amp and a great option for those looking to experience the flagship-level AK4499EX DAC chip Astell&Kern uses in their high-end DAPs in a more versatile and portable form factor, but you may need to temper your expectations a bit when it comes to the build quality and features. What matters most, though, is how all of these complaints seem to melt away once the music starts flowing, leaving me with an incredibly enjoyable audio experience.