








Yulong DA-ART Aquila III Desktop DAC/Pre-amp/Amp
Built for high-res, tuned for humans
The DA-ART Aquila III is a DAC, preamp, and headphone amp rolled into a single compact unit. It’s built around the AK4499EX+AK4191 chip combo and features Yulong’s 5th-gen Jitter and Interface Control (JIC) system, which combines ARM and FPGA platforms for ultra-stable playback of ultra-high-resolution formats like DSD1024 and PCM1536kHz. It’s resolving, but not at the expense of musicality. It’s reference-grade, but delivers natural timbre.
The source of flagship sound: AK4499EX + AK4191
The AK4499EX DAC chip, paired with the AK4191 digital modulator, is one of AKM’s most advanced audio architectures. By separating processing stages and optimizing clocking and power delivery, it delivers a wide dynamic range with vanishingly low distortion.
Clean, stable, powerful: 5th-gen JIC system
The 5th-generation Jitter and Interface Control system uses an ARM chip alongside an FPGA platform to minimize jitter, sync clocks, and maintain timing accuracy. It’s like an ultra-fast traffic controller making sure digital signals arrive perfectly on time before they’re handed off to the DAC. For higher-res music listening, it’s a must-have.
Balanced or single-ended: why choose?
The Aquila III’s fully balanced headphone amp outputs up to 4W (THD+N < 0.01%) with enough headroom for high-impedance headphones, while the single-ended side is optimized for lower power with equally low distortion.
Unibody aluminum case with shock-absorbing feet
Built into a single-piece aluminum chassis, the Aquila III is compact, dense, and handles like a serious piece of gear.
Inputs and outputs for every system
With USB, coaxial, optical, and AES inputs, the Aquila III works with everything from laptops to CD players. Outputs include balanced XLR, RCA, 4.4mm balanced, and 6.35mm single-ended headphone jacks.
Analog warmth, digital precision
While the Aquila III measures exceptionally well (THD+N 0.0001%, 125dB dynamic range), it wasn’t voiced for test equipment. It was tuned by ear across reference systems to find a balance between accuracy and warmth. It doesn’t just chase technical performance—it chases the kind of sound that makes you want to keep listening.
Programmable display
Despite its small footprint, the Aquila III has a high-resolution programmable display with a built-in spectrum analyzer. You get instant feedback on volume, input, and signal behavior, all in a compact desktop footprint that doesn’t demand extra space.
Product highlights
- AK4499EX + AK4191 DAC chipset for native DSD1024 and PCM1536kHz decoding
- 5th-gen JIC system with ARM + FPGA clock management
- USB, AES, Coaxial, and Optical inputs
- RCA and XLR preamp outputs
- 6.35mm and 4.4mm headphone outputs (single-ended and balanced)
- Up to 4W output power (balanced)
- Spectrum analyzer on programmable display
- Volume bypass for DAC-only mode
- Claw-style anti-vibration suspension feet
- CNC-machined aluminum chassis
- Linear multi-stage regulated power supply with dual toroidal transformers
Specs
- PCM decoding: Up to 32-bit / 1536kHz
- DSD decoding: DoP64, DoP128, Native DSD64/128/256/512/1024
- Input options: USB, Optical, Coaxial, AES
- Output options: RCA, XLR, 6.35mm, 4.4mm
- Headphone output power (balanced):
- 32Ω: 4,000mW
- 64Ω: 2,200mW
- 150Ω: 1,000mW
- 300Ω: 480mW
- 600Ω: 230mW
- Headphone output power (single-ended):
- 32Ω: 1,000mW
- 64Ω: 550mW
- 150Ω: 230mW300Ω: 120mW
- 600Ω: 60mW
- THD+N: 0.0001% (DAC), 0.001% (preamp, headphone amp)
- Dynamic range: 125dB
- SNR: 125dB (DAC), 110dB (preamp)
- Crosstalk: < -120dB
- Output impedance:
- DAC: <200Ω
- Preamp: >200Ω
- Headphone amp: <10Ω
- Output level:
- RCA: 3V
- XLR: 6V (preamp), 12V max (DAC)
- Frequency response: 20Hz–30kHz (+0.1dB)
- Power consumption: <30W
- Dimensions: 9.8in x 8.3in x 2.4in (248mm x 210mm x 60mm)
- Weight: 8.8lbs (4kg)
What’s included
- DA-ART Aquila III DAC/Amp
- Power cable
- USB cable
- Quick start guide
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