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Astell & Kern KANN
One player to rule them all
Astell&Kern's KANN provides a new power standard for mobile music performance. Combining a high-quality
audio player and a high-performance amplifier, KANN draws on the technological expertise of Astell&Kern,
the leading Portable Hi-Fi Audio manufacturer.
Focusing on a strong output and crystal-clear sound, the all-in-one KANN offers the following features.
Output optimized to user's listening environment
KANN, the first Astell&Kern product, is equipped with a line-out circuit designed to set the output
values in 4 levels, depending on the user's listening preference a significant step up from previous
products, which did not provide output/volume control. With the selectable output function, you can
fine-tune your sound to suit a home system, car audio, or any other listening environment.
KANN also supports Astell&Kern's 2.5-mm 4-pole balanced outputs (2 Vrms). Unlike the unbalanced
type, balanced output removes noise (common mode noise) from "signal + inverting amplifier signal" and
has the strength to increase output with its double transmitting signals.
Deliver the perfect original sound
KANN offers the optimal condition to deliver perfect original sound.
KANN is capable of bit-to-bit playback up to 32bit 384kHz and native DSD playback up to 11.2MHz, delivering
detailed, distortion-free sound just as the artist intended.
* The maximum audio output would be limited based on the output capacity of your source device.
32-bit bit-to-bit Playback by KANN
32-bit Playback by Other Product
Scalability using USB Audio
To increase flexibility of use, you can connect additional USB Audio to KANN via the micro USB port. KANN
allows output conversion according to the specifications of the external USB Audio that supports DoP (DSD
over PCM) or PCM, and provides continuous music playback with charging via the Type-C USB port while
connected to the external USB Audio.
USB audio (Digital Out) output is available only when digital input is possible through USB.
* DoP (DSD over PCM): This is a standard for transferring DSD data to USB
interface. This standard
sends DSD data by mounting them onto PCM data frames.
* To link KANN with an external USB Audio, an OTG cable (purchased separately) is required. The
separately purchased cable connecting the OTG cable to an external USB Audio must be appropriate for the
specification of the USB Audio.
* USB Audio (Digital Out) Specs DoP : 2.8MHz / 5.6MHz PCM : Max 384kHz
The finest sound quality from audio files stored on a PC
Supporting the bit-to-bit playback up to 32-bit 384kHz when connected to the PC for use as a USB DAC, the KANN produces richer sounds with superior spatial effects and resolution that go far beyond the limits of any PC sound card.
* The KANN supports up to 32-bit 384kHz with specs of USB Audio Class 2.0.
* 64/128/256MHz DSD formats can be played back with the USB DAC driver installed
The AK Connect and AK Connect HD apps Download
The AK Connect and AK Connect HD apps are available for download from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
Dual memory card slots
KANN has an internal memory of 64GB, but this can be easily and flexibly boosted via the unit's dual memory card slots. KANN supports both standard SD cards and micro SD cards, so users can select their preferred memory type. The memory is expandable up to 576 GB to easily handle larger audio files.
* Memory cards other than validated products such as Sandisk or Samsung may not be compatible with this product.
Fast charging
Enjoy up to 6.5 hours of your favorite music with a single 1 hour charge through the fast charger. There is no fear of a dead battery when on a long journey as the 6,200mA large capacity battery offers 15 hours of continuous playback.
* The maximum 15-hour continuous play is based on 16-bit/44 kHz, FLAC file format, screen off, 50 of volume,
and Normal playback.
* Fast charger (9V/1.67A) and general Charger (5V/2A) are not included in the package.
DESIGN
The design of KANN stands apart from
Astell&Kern's other product lines.
During assembly, the parts are slid into the
aluminum extruded body, and the unique, no-joint
design delivers a durable yet sleek appearance.
The glittering space-based 'Astro Silver' and 'Eos Blue'
representing the goddess of dawn embody the strong
yet soft features of KANN.
The innovative volume wheel makes one-hand control
easy. By positioning the main control buttons to the
bottom of the front panel, convenient music search
and quick home screen operation are intuitive.
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Professional Reviews 90/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
84/100
Features Usability
92/100
Value for Money
88/100
Warm, powerful, and unusually flexible, the KANN pairs a built-in headphone amp with enough drive for demanding headphones, while keeping playback refined and spacious. Mel Martin and Chris Martens praise its deep bass, sparkling highs, and organic presentation, making this high-resolution DAP feel more musical than merely technical.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Plenty of power and control for hard-to-drive headphones, with a refined, three-dimensional presentation.
Excellent resolution and musicality, with deep bass, sparkling highs, and strong performance across hi-res FLAC and DSD.
Exceptionally broad connectivity and format support, including balanced output, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth aptX HD, USB DAC use, and native DSD256.
&
Cons
Bulkier than most portable players, which makes it less pocket-friendly.
Android-based interface can feel slow and clunky at times.
Priced at the premium end of the market, even if reviewers felt it delivered for the money.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Reviewers consistently praise the KANN as a strong-sounding portable player with deep bass, sparkling highs, and plenty of drive. They also describe it as refined, organic, and spacious, with enough delicacy and resolution to make both planar headphones and in-ears sound convincing.
Tonal Balance Musicality
93/100
The KANN is repeatedly described as having a slightly warmer, more organic character that sounds musically right. Reviews mention deep bass, sparkling highs, and a presentation that feels refined rather than harsh or sterile.
Resolution Detail
91/100
Reviewers say it has enough resolving power to expose subtle differences between headphones and to render textures, colors, and dynamics with real finesse. The Absolute Sound also highlights delicacy, resolution, and a three-dimensional presentation, especially with in-ear monitors.
Digital Performance
91/100
The KANN is praised for low noise, strong control, and clean playback across formats from MP3 to high-resolution FLAC and DSD. Reviewers report that none of the music felt strained over wide dynamics or deep bass, and that high-resolution files sounded excellent.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
The KANN is very feature-rich for a portable player, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB DAC functionality, dual card slots, onboard memory, and broad format support. Reviewers also find the interface intuitive and easy to learn, which helps the large feature set feel practical rather than overwhelming.
Streaming Software
90/100
Reviewers say the user interface is highly intuitive and extremely easy to learn. They also mention Wi-Fi playback from services and DLNA sources, but there is little detailed criticism or praise of app stability beyond that.
Features Connectivity
95/100
Connectivity is a major strength: the KANN supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth aptX HD, USB audio, DLNA, microSD/SD expansion, onboard storage, and USB DAC/source use. Reviewers repeatedly emphasize its unusually high output and broad file-format support, including native DSD up to DSD256.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
84/100
Reviewers describe the aluminum chassis as attractive and solid, but they also note that it is simpler than the milled premium models and somewhat bulky. There is little discussion of long-term durability, but the physical design sounds competent and well made.
Value for Money
88/100
Reviewers acknowledge that it is expensive, especially versus many other DAPs, but they also say it delivers and offers strong musical value for the money. The overall sentiment is that the KANN is more affordable than Astell & Kern’s top models while giving up very little, which makes the asking price easier to justify.
Reviews
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