ROHM Expands Its D/A Converter Product Line-up for High-Fidelity Audio

Willich-Münchheide, Germany, October 11, 2018 – ROHM has launched a new branding “MUS-IC” reflecting ROHM’s focus on solutions for high-fidelity audio products. This branding covers a range of D/A converter ICs (DAC ICs), optimized for high-fidelity reproduction, and power supply products. The increased adoption of high-resolution audio sources has lately strengthened the demand for audio equipment that can deliver an appropriate sound quality. Audio DAC chips, which convert high-resolution digital audio data to analog without degrading the original sound source, are one of the most important components for determining the quality in audio equipment. ROHM has state of the art D/A converter technologies that are optimized for high-fidelity reproduction of high-resolution sound sources. These DAC chips, which deliver class-leading low noise and low distortion (S/N ratio and THD+N characteristics) as demanded by top audio equipment manufacturers, have been optimized for sound quality through repeated listening tests and laboratory measurements. Leveraging 50 years of expertise in developing audio ICs allowed ROHM to establish ‘sound quality design technology’ capabilities for high-fidelity audio reproduction that is close to the original sound source and thereby offer products designed with an emphasis on sound quality; including sound processors and power supply ICs. In May 2018 ROHM unveiled an initial development sample of a DAC chip at the international Hi-Fi Audio show held in Munich, Germany where it received recognition from top audio equipment manufacturers who expressed a keen interest in its adoption once it is commercialized. In addition to this DAC chip, ROHM also offers a product portfolio of power supply ICs (BD372xx series) and sound processors (BD3470x series, BD34602FS-M). All products optimized for high fidelity audio applications are listed under its new audio device brand ROHM Musical Device “MUS-IC”. “We have developed this product range by combining our sound quality design technology with the corporate mission of “Quality first”, our vertically integrated manufacturing. And we are also implementing activities that contributes to the dissemination and development of music culture with the ROHM Music Foundation.”, said Naruhiro Okamoto, Manager of the Audio Development Department at ROHM. “The team of experienced engineers has developed the ultimate IC solution which is perfectly represented by the new audio device brand “MUS-IC”. ROHM Musical Device “MUS-IC” Web Page can be found at: https://www.rohm.com/mus-ic/ Going forward, ROHM will strive to become a total-solution provider of audio components that will contribute to the development and progress of music culture with faithful music reproduction and all under the ROHM Musical Device “MUS-IC” brand. Initiatives for the Audio Market 1970s:  Started offering audio ICs for analog audio 1980s/1990s:  Provided products combining analog and digital technologies for digital audio 2000s:  Developed multimedia and multifunctional products for compressed audio 2012:  Implemented activities to achieve ‘sound quality design technology’ 2015:  Established ‘sound quality design technology’ that ensured high-fidelity by optimizing 28 parameters related to sound quality October 2016:  Released the BD3470xKS2 series of high-fidelity sound processors for home audio that leveraged proprietary sound quality design technology 2016:  Began development of power supply ICs for high-fidelity audio 2016:  Started development of DAC chips for high-fidelity audio February 2017:  Introduced the BD34602FS-M series of high-fidelity sound processors for car audio February 2017:  Released the BM94803AEKU audio SoC that supports high-resolution audio sources March 2018:  Offered the industry’s first power supply ICs for Hi-Fi audio applications (BD372xx series) May 2018:  Showcased the DAC chip at international Hi-Fi audio exhibitions HIGH END and hifideluxe Munich Terminology High-resolution Audio Source General CD quality audio sources are played back at a sampling frequency of 44.1kHz and 16bit quantization bit rate, but with high-resolution audio sources sampling frequencies 96kHz or more and 24bit quantization are common. In other words, the amount of information contained in high-resolution audio sources is much greater, resulting in higher quality audio. Hi-Fi (High Fidelity) Audio Refers to the faithful (high quality) reproduction of an audio source.

About ROHM Semiconductor ROHM Semiconductor is a global company of 397,106 million yen (3,65 billion US$) revenue per March 31th, 2018 with 23,120 employees. ROHM Semiconductor develops and manufactures a very large product range from the Ultra Low Power Microcontroller, Power Management, Standard ICs, SiC Diodes, MOSFETs and Modules, Power Transistors and Diodes, LEDs to passives components such as Resistors, Tantalum Capacitors and LED display units, thermal Printheads in state-of-the-art manufacturing plants in Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, China and Europe. LAPIS Semiconductor (former OKI Semiconductor), SiCrystal GmbH, Kionix are companies of ROHM Semiconductor Group. ROHM Semiconductor Europe has its head office near Dusseldorf serving the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa). For further information, please contact For further information please contact www.rohm.com