HELM LAUNCHES PORTABLE BOLT DAC/AMP USB ADAPTER WITH THX + MQA CERTIFICATIONS

LOS ANGELES, CA. – November 19, 2020 – HELM Audio Ltd., a globally distributed British-American audio innovation company, today announced the launch of the next in its line-up of THX Certified products, the HELM BOLT DAC/AMP mobile USB digital analogue converter, which supports MQA technology. The BOLT DAC/AMP is aimed at elevating sound quality for portable devices and proudly carries the coveted THX Certification for device performance. The BOLT DAC/AMP was premiered during CES 2020 in Las Vegas, where HELM Audio was awarded four CES Innovation Honoree Awards – including one award for the BOLT DAC/AMP. The BOLT DAC/AMP will retail for $99 and is available on HELM’s website.

HELM Audio, known for combining new technologies to drive innovation in audio hardware, is setting a new standard by providing studio-level quality to our mobile world. The BOLT DAC/AMP comes in a small palm-sized form factor but delivers massive results including MQA support and other high res audio file decoding. The BOLT DAC/AMP adapter supports an unprecedented range of existing high res audio formats and devices, including MQA (Master Quality Authenticated), a breakthrough British technology which captures and authenticates studio quality sound. The BOLT DAC/AMP has passed many rigorous THX Certification audio quality tests ensuring a flat frequency response, low distortion, low noise and a stable, high output suitable for a wide range of headphones delivering a superior audio experience.

MQA is live on streaming platforms including TIDAL, where the BOLT DAC/AMP adapter can allow users to have lossless end-to-end MQA rendering for the ultimate sound experience. Users can enjoy sonic details and fidelity exactly as the artists and sound engineers intended without relying on bulky data-intensive streams.

The BOLT DAC/AMP adapter uses the same digital audio converter (DAC) technology available on some of the finest audiophile gear, and delivers clarity and fidelity in a small and convenient adapter. The BOLT DAC/AMP adapter outputs at 88.2 kHz or 96 kHz resolutions, and for non-MQA content, the BOLT DAC/AMP still provides the highest resolution available for mobile and gaming applications. The BOLT DAC/AMP is nimble enough to deliver power to the most demanding headphones and has an auto-output level adjustment that can match almost any headphones’ impedance. The BOLT DAC/AMP is designed to be plug-and-play with no firmware to download, and is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS and Linux, whilst also providing bit-perfect playback using USB Player Pro, HF Onkyo Player, Audirvana Plus, and more.

“Our partnership with two audio industry innovators in MQA and THX means our users can count on an ultra-premium audio experience,” said Eric Johnson, CEO of HELM Audio. “We have combined MQA’s award winning technology with THX performance quality in a carefully curated, compact, durable and affordable product design, democratizing audiophile quality through affordability,” he added.

“Helm Audio’s MQA-enabled BOLT DAC is an exciting and elegant solution for music on the move,” added Mike Jbara, CEO of MQA. “Our mission at MQA is to enable everyone to enjoy original sound quality wherever they listen. Helm Audio shares that vision and stands behind it with the BOLT DAC.”