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Michael L. “Mike” Hackworth, the co-founder and longtime chairman of Cirrus Logic, died on April 21, 2012, aged 71. The company announced his death two days later. Hackworth helped establish the fabless semiconductor model, in which companies design chips but use external foundries to manufacture them.
Who was Mike Hackworth?
Hackworth was an electrical engineer and semiconductor executive who co-founded Cirrus Logic. He led the company as president and chief executive officer from 1985 to 1999, then continued as its chairman until his death.
He graduated from Santa Clara University in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Before founding Cirrus Logic, he worked at Motorola, Fairchild Semiconductor and Signetics, where he spent much of his early career. EE Times’ obituary and a Serra High School memorial recount his education and career.
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What did he do at Cirrus Logic?
Company materials place Cirrus Logic’s founding in the Silicon Valley area in 1984; Hackworth became president and CEO in 1985. The different dates describe the company’s founding and the start of his executive tenure, rather than conflicting dates for a single event. Cirrus Logic’s 2010 company history gives the 1984 founding date, while later company and trade accounts identify 1985 as the start of his presidency and CEO role.
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- 𝗗𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗔𝗖 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻: Featuring dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips for pristine, high-resolution digital-to-analog conversion with exceptional clarity.
- 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Delivers up to 600mW of clean output power through its balanced 4.4mm connection, driving both sensitive IEMs and demanding full-size headphones to perfection.
- 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘀𝗲𝗿-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗤: Flexible 10-band parametric equalizer allows custom sound profiles to be saved directly to device with a PC browser without the need for additional apps.
- 𝗗𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Includes both balanced 4.4mm and single-ended 3.5mm outputs with low output impedance for maximum device compatibility
- 𝗗𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝘀: Features two power modes - Eco for extended battery life and Boost for maximum output performance.
During his leadership, Cirrus Logic went public on Nasdaq in 1989 and acquired Crystal Semiconductor in 1991. Hackworth stepped down as CEO in February 1999, with David French taking over, but remained chairman. The company’s SEC-filed shareholder letter says he pioneered the fabless semiconductor model at Cirrus Logic and remained chairman until his passing.
Why is Hackworth associated with the fabless semiconductor model?
A fabless chip company designs and develops semiconductors but does not operate its own fabrication plant. Instead, it contracts with external foundries to manufacture its designs. That approach lets a company focus on chip design without having to build and run a semiconductor fabrication facility.
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- Upgraded Version: A new generation USB-C portable headphone DAC and amplifier, supporting up to DSD256 and PCM 32bit/384kHz decoding for a high-resolution sound reproduction. It delivers a powerful drive of up to 170mW@32Ω each channel, effortlessly powering high or low-impedance headphones with 3.5mm single-ended or 4.4mm balanced connections, immersing you in the exquisite world of music
- Flagship Chips: Featuring two next-generation Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chips, the DS2 delivers superior system-level audio performance without draining your mobile source device's battery life. With its ultra-low 1μV noise floor, minimal 0.0001% THD, high 130dB SNR, and excellent 109dB SINAD, it enables you to enjoy pure sound
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- Exquisite and Dual: The DS2 is crafted from solid metal using CNC machining and shock-resistant. Its sleek design offers a smooth and comfortable grip, providing a refined tactile experience
Cirrus Logic’s board credited Hackworth with helping lead the way for the industry. In its April 23, 2012 statement, the board wrote: “In creating Cirrus Logic he led the way for the fabless semiconductor industry, and with the company’s success proved that ‘real men really don’t need fabs.’” The company’s announcement preserves that tribute.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhen did Mike Hackworth die, and how old was he?
Hackworth died on April 21, 2012, aged 71. Cirrus Logic announced his death on April 23. The company’s memorial materials give his lifespan as 1941–2012, consistent with the age reported in EE Times’ obituary.
Rank #3
- Dual CS43198 DAC Chipset：Equipped with the same dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips as the XI1, the Beta XI2 ensures high-resolution decoding with exceptional clarity and detail, supporting a wide range of formats for a true-to-source listening experience.
- Upgraded Amplifier Architecture：The Beta XI2 features an enhanced amplifier stage with 4x BUF634 and 2x OPA1662 op-amps, delivering up to 550mW @ 32Ω. This provides ample power for a wide range of headphones, ensuring dynamic headroom and distortion-free performance.
- JAN6418 Tube Output：Unlike conventional dongle DACs, the XI2 integrates dual JAN6418 tubes, blending the warmth and musicality of analog sound with modern digital precision. The tubes are discreetly housed inside the body, with two side windows offering a subtle visual glow.
- Compact Screen & User Interface：Maintaining the 0.87-inch OLED screen and intuitive UI from the XI1, the Beta XI2 allows users to monitor playback formats, volume, and settings with ease, ensuring convenience in a portable form factor.
- Refined Design：While similar in style to the XI1, the Beta XI2 adopts a slightly longer and wider chassis to accommodate its upgraded components. The design balances elegance and durability, making it a stylish yet functional portable DAC solution.
His family’s statement, quoted in the Serra High School memorial, said: “Michael will be remembered as living his guiding principles to their fullest: Dream big, work hard and do the right thing.”
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- Class D MOSFET Monoblock Power Amplifier
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- ENTRY-LEVEL POWER AMPLIFIER: Experience powerful sound with the BT20A Bluetooth amplifier, boasting an impressive 100Wx2 maximum output power. It can power multiple speaker cabinets, which can be used at home or in small venues
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