【Audio-Technica AT-HRD300 Wireless D/A Converter｜High-Quality Bluetooth Playback in Your Car】

I want to enjoy the music on my smartphone with a little better sound quality even while in the car. I also want to add wireless playback to an OEM audio system or an existing car audio setup without any hassle.

For people like that, the easy-to-use choice is Audio-Technica’s Digital Transport D/A Converter Wireless Edition AT-HRD300.

Outputs the music signals received via Bluetooth from a smartphone (and similar devices) to your in-car audio system as high-quality analog signals. When paired with compatible devices, it also supports wireless playback equivalent to high-resolution audio using the LDAC codec.

For those who want to value the amount of audio information—even over wireless

Bluetooth connections are convenient, but you may sometimes feel that the fine details and sense of soundstage are lacking.

The AT-HRD300 uses the ESS ES9018K2M for a high-quality DAC, and is further equipped with the ESS ES9601K op-amp. Along with its 1.5V high-voltage output, the configuration is designed to deliver the subtle details of music to your in-car audio system more easily.

You may notice that vocal positions and the contours of instruments become clearer, and it becomes easier to feel the depth of the sound and the expansion of the soundstage. Even with music you listen to every day, you may discover parts you hadn’t paid attention to before.

Of course, the final sound will vary depending on the OEM audio, amplifier, and speakers you connect. Adding the AT-HRD300 doesn’t mean your car will always change the sound in the same way. It’s important to consider where to connect it while taking the compatibility with your vehicle’s existing system into account.

Supports optical digital connection

Not only Bluetooth—it's also compatible with a right-angled optical digital input.

You can use it depending on your system configuration, such as focusing on wireless playback while connecting from compatible devices via optical digital. It can also be a candidate if you want to consider a connection method different from the OEM setup—such as in vehicles that already use a DSP or an external amplifier.

However, you’ll want to confirm not only whether you can connect it, but also how volume adjustment will work, how it relates to OEM functions, how power will be taken, and even the installation location. If you decide these simply, you may find it difficult to use later.

Even the same product—usability changes with the installation method

Since the AT-HRD300 main unit is compact, it’s a size that’s easy to add inside a vehicle.

On the other hand, the finished quality depends on factors such as where you place the unit, how easy it will be to operate and connect, and how the wiring is handled. If you finish even the parts that can’t be seen neatly, you’ll be less likely to feel extra dissatisfaction during everyday use.

At Logon, after confirming your car model, your current audio configuration, and how you use your smartphone, we consider together whether it makes sense to add the AT-HRD300.

If it were me, I would first check what dissatisfaction you have with the sound you’re getting right now. Then I would organize whether this is a system where the AT-HRD300 can be fully leveraged, or whether it would be better to review other parts first—such as the speakers or the DSP.

If you want to enjoy music easily with wireless while also caring about sound quality. If you want to make your system better little by little while taking advantage of your OEM audio. Take a look at your vehicle and consider a no-nonsense setup together—see whether the AT-HRD300 is a good fit.

Main Specifications / Specs

【Basic Information】
Product name: Digital Transport D/A Converter Wireless Edition AT-HRD300
Brand: Audio-Technica
Type: Digital / D/A converter supporting Bluetooth signals
Power supply: DC12V (11.5–16V)
Maximum current consumption: Approx. 40mA

【Bluetooth】
Communication method: Compliant with Bluetooth standard specification Ver. 5.1
Maximum communication distance: Within 10 m in line-of-sight conditions
Operating frequency band: 2.4 GHz band (2.402–2.480 GHz)
Modulation method: GFSK, π/4DQPSK, 8DPSK
Supported profiles: A2DP Ver.1.3.2, AVRCP Ver.1.6.2
Supported codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC
Supported content protection: SCMS-T method
Number of multi-pairing devices: 1 unit

【Digital Audio Performance】
Supported PCM: Up to 32–96 kHz / 24-bit
Frequency response: 20–40 kHz
Optical digital input: Right-angled optical digital x1
Optical digital support: 32–192 kHz, 16–24-bit

【Key Parts】
DAC: ESS ES9018K2M
Op-amp: ESS ES9601K

【Output】
Line output: Pin jack x2
Output level: 1,500 mV

【Dimensions / Cables】
External dimensions: H23.0 × W95.0 × D67.0 mm (excluding protrusions)
Mass: Approx. 90 g (main unit only)
Power cable: Approx. 250 mm
Ground cable: Approx. 250 mm

Depending on the vehicle’s audio system and connection method, the required installation work and the final sound quality will vary.