Acoustune AS2200 puts playback details on a tiny OLED

A small screen gives Acoustune’s AS2200 a useful place to show what is playing and how the DAC is set up. Due in Japan on October 30, this portable USB DAC/headphone amplifier connects to a phone or other source device over USB-C and draws power from that connection.

See the format, then explore the filters

The new 0.87-inch, 128×32 monochrome OLED displays playback format, sampling rate, volume and settings. Those details are visible on the DAC itself, without relying solely on the source device’s screen.

For PCM audio, the USB audio mode sets the limit: UAC 2.0 supports up to 32-bit/768kHz, while UAC 1.0 tops out at 16-bit/48kHz. PCM playback also offers six selectable digital filters, including DYNAMIC, SMOOTH and BALANCED.

Two headphone sockets, one connection at a time

The AS2200 has a 3.5mm single-ended output and a 4.4mm balanced output. Use the one that matches your earphone cable: the two cannot be connected simultaneously. LOW and HIGH output-level settings are also available.

The 3.5mm socket has another role, too. After a setting change, it can serve as a coaxial digital output instead of an analog headphone output.

A carry kit for the roughly 22g DAC

The main unit weighs about 22g and comes with a USB-C cable. Acoustune’s included “traveler set” adds a silicone protective cover, magnetic holder and DAC case. The holder lets the DAC attach to a connected device such as a smartphone so the pair can be handled together.

Preorders began in Japan on October 23 at 11 a.m. JST. The expected Japanese retail price is about JPY 52,800, rather than a fixed manufacturer’s suggested retail price.