NEWS
VELVET SOUND news, events and exhibitions
Latest
Now Sampling: AKM’s AK4498EX Partitioned Stereo D/A Converter
2024/11/18
NEWS
Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) is excited to announce the upcoming availability of samples for the AK4498EX, a high-end digital-to-analog converter (DAC) solution from the renowned VELVET SOUNDTM Premium audio product line.
Now Sampling: The Reimagined AK4497S Stereo D/A Converter
2024/11/11
NEWS
Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) is pleased to announce the availability of samples for the AK4497S 32-bit Stereo DAC, a high-end model in the VELVET SOUNDTM Premium audio converter product line.
HIGH END munich2023
2023/04/12
Events & Exhibitions
Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) will be an exhibitor at HIGH END munich2023 in Munich, Germany.
AK4499EX, AK4191 Concept Video
AKM released a concept video to show the world view of the new flagship D/A converter (DAC) solution AK4499EX and AK4191.
2022/12/21
NEWS
AKM releases to production the new flagship D/A converter (DAC) solution AK4499EX and AK4191 for a complete separation of digital and analog circuitry.
Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) has released to production the new flagship stereo D/A converter (DAC), the VELVET SOUND | VERITATM AK4499EX.
2022/09/08
NEWS
AKM develops advanced VELVET SOUND 32-bit, 2-ch premium audio D/A converters AK4493S and AK4490R
2022/02/07
NEWS
Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) has redesigned the AK4490 D/A converter (DAC) and its higher-end counterpart, AK4493, as new products under the VELVET SOUND brand.
AKM resumes sample shipments of 13 VELVET SOUND DAC/ADC products for high-end and portable audio devices
2022/01/31
NEWS
Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) resumes sample shipments of 13 VELVET SOUND brand D/A converter (DAC) and A/D converter (ADC) products. These samples start shipping in January 2022. Mass production is scheduled for the third quarter of 2022.
Daishin Kashimoto, violinist, listens to the latest VELVET SOUND products
2020/04/01
What's New
The first-ever split-DAC solution, comprised of the AK4191 + AK4498, has been added to the roster of VELVET SOUND DACs developed and marketed by AKM. It will be featured in a variety of premium audio equipment starting this coming fall.
Mr. Daishin Kashimoto, AKM brand ambassador, joined Mr. Tomonori Sato, AKM Audio Meister, to listen to the Berlin Philharmonic’s latest recording. Was he impressed by the latest in VELVET SOUND? Let’s find out.
Publisher: "Stereo Sound" No. 214 (issued March 2020)
Daishin Kashimoto, 1st Concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic, appointed as brand ambassador for VELVET SOUND
2019/12/18
NEWS
Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) has appointed Daishin Kashimoto, 1st Concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic, as brand ambassador for VELVET SOUND, AKM’s brand concept for audio ICs. Kashimoto earnestly endorses AKM’s philosophy to completely recreate the original sound including the artist’s intention, and as brand ambassador he will help AKM convey this to more people.
Message from Daishin Kashimoto
I'm so honored to be appointed as brand ambassador for VELVET SOUND. When I listened to the sound produced by AKM’s cutting-edge technology, I was totally amazed. It was completely different from my previous experience with audio equipment. As a musician, my greatest pleasure is for the exact sound of a performance to be conveyed to listeners even through speakers.
Profile of Daishin Kashimoto
A Japanese classical violinist, born in London. First prize winner of five renowned competitions including the International Fritz Kreisler Violin Competition and the Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud-Crespin International Competition for Piano and Violin. Kashimoto is recognized internationally for performing with orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Dresden Staatskapelle, Tonkunstler Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, St. Petersburg Philharmonic and the NHK Symphony Orchestra under renowned maestros such as Seiji Ozawa, Lorin Maazel, Evgeny Svetlanov, Yehudi Menuhin, Yuri Temirkanov, Mariss Jansons, Sir Simon Rattle, and Paavo Jarvi. He is also active in the field of chamber music, and has performed with noted musicians such as Martha Argerich, Gidon Kremer, Yuri Bashmet, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, and Emmanuel Pahud. Since 2007, he has served as music director of Le Pont International Music Festival Ako & Himeji, an annual chamber music festival in Japan. He was appointed as 1st Concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic in 2010. He plays a 1674 Andrea Guarneri violin.