Astell&Kern Kann Digital Audio Player

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:

Truly Powerful High Quality Output

Astell&Kern has introduced a new product design that cleverly incorporates a high-performance amplifier into a player for a perfect merger of two independent devices. Supporting the output of 7Vrms when connected via high-gain balanced output, the KANN not only drives high-impedance headphones without an additional amplifier, but also reliably reproduces high-quality sound with low-impedance speakers

Output Optimised 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.

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

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

Connecting to a Wireless Network

KANN supports wireless networking DLNA (Ver. 1.0), which makes it easy to work with PC/NAS on the same AP network and through the AK Connect app supporting smartphone/tablet computer interfaces.

DMP (Digital Media Player)

Finds a list of content on a media server for selection and playback.

DMC (Digital Media Controller)

Finds a list of content on a media server and establishes a connection to a playback-capable device (renderer). By default, a DMC establishes a connection between a media server and media renderer and controls content playback-related operations.

DMS (Digital Media Server = Network Server)

Actually stores the media content to be shared. When connected to a network, the DMS transmits/distributes the media content for other devices to stream or download.

DMR (Digital Media Renderer = Network Player)

Connects to a media server via media controller for content playback.

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 768 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 favourite 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 Concept

The design of KANN stands apart from Astell&Kern’s other product lines.

During assembly, the parts are slid into the aluminium 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.

Model: KANN

Body Colour: Astro Silver, Eos Blue

Body Material: Aluminium

Display: 4″ WVGA (480 x 800) Touchscreen

Supported Audio Formats: 

WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE(Normal, High, Fast), AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF

Sample rate: PCM: 8kHz ~ 384kHz (8/16/24/32 bits per Sample) / DSD Native : DSD64 (1bit 2.8MHz), Stereo / DSD128 (1bit 5.6MHz), Stereo / DSD256 (1bit 11.2MHz)

Output Level: Unbalance 2Vrms / Balance 2Vrms (Condition No Load)

CPU: Octa-Core

DAC: AKM AK4490 x 1 (Single DAC)

Decoding: Support up to 32Bit / 384kHz Bit to Bit Decoding

Input: USB Type-C input (for charging & data transfer (PC & MAC) / Connection Mode : MTP (Media Device)

Outputs: PHONES (3.5mm) / Balanced Out (2.5mm, only 4-pole supported). [USB Audio] micro USB Connection / PCM: Up to 32bit 384kHz / DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MH

Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz)

Bluetooth: V4.0 (A2DP, AVRCP, aptX™ HD)

Dimensions: 2.80 ”(71.23 mm) [W] x 4.56 ”(115.8 mm) [H] x 1.01 ”(25.6 mm) [D]

Weight: Stainless Steel : 9.83 oz (278.7 g)

Feature Enhancements: Firmware upgrades supported (OTA)

Audio Performance

Frequency Response: 

Clock Source

Clock Jitter: 30ps (Typ)

Reference Clock Jitter: 200 Femto Seconds

Battery

Capacity: 6,200mAh 3.7V Li-Polymer Battery

Continuous Playback Time: Up to 12 hours (Standard – MUSIC: FLAC, 16-bit/44kHz, Volume 75, LCD Off)

Charge Time: About 2 hours (Standard – 9V/1.67A Fast charging)

Memory

Built-in Memory: 64GB (NAND)

External Memory: microSD (MAX 256GB) x 1. SD (Max. 512GB) x 1

OS

Supported OS: Windows XP, Windows 7,8,10 (32/64bit), MAC OS X 10.7 and up