UI & Usage
No surprise here, the Kann Alpha behaves, more or less, like the A&Futura SE180 or SA700.
Astell&Kern UI
The Kann Alpha doesn’t enjoy the full Android experience, but A&K own customized version of Google’s OS.
Thankfully, Astell&Kern has years of experience in this field and I have to praise A&K for it. The layout is well-designed, with some improvements compared to the previous version, but the same drawbacks too.
For example, the old, annoying, floating return button is still mandatory as the player doesn’t get the same control bar found in the SE180. Said like that, it seems trivial, but I always thought that the button was more of a hindrance than a solution. Especially when I’m using third-party apps, like Spotify or Qobuz, where the button can hide some important features and needs you to move it all the time.
There is no “scan media library button”, once you plug your micro-SD card, or disconnect the player from your computer, the Kann Alpha automatically begins to search for new files. And if tagged accordingly, all will be found correctly sorted by artist/genre/interpret. There’s even an MQS folder, where you’ll find all your Hi-Res tracks, in case you’re too annoyed to scroll in your own library and end up listening to “peasant’s level lossless quality music”.
Open APP and WiFi
Thanks to OpenApp, you can install, almost, any audio app you like. Again, this isn’t as seamless as FiiO, Shanling or iBasso has to offer:
- first, you have to download the app you want from a computer
- then you’ll copy the .apk to the player, in the open app folder
- finally, if the app is supported by the player, you’ll find them in “services”, just under MQS in the menu
- then you can install your app and launch it.
I tried Spotify, Qobuz, Tidal, and Deezer, which all worked… to some degree. If Spotify didn’t give me any problem, Tidal didn’t work correctly the first time (that and the fact that you’ll end up with two Tidal) and Qobuz is just amazingly slow – but I suspect the app too be at fault, more than the player.
For those of you who own a Roon server, the Kann Alpha is now Roon ready, so you should see it in the list of players available from your usual interface. Sadly, I don’t have Roon though.
Otherwise, the experience is pretty seamless and thanks to the Quad-Core CPU and various optimizations, everything feels buttery smooth, most of the time.
USB-C and SD Card
All Astell&Kern players use a USB-C connector, and the Kann Alpha makes no exception. The transfer rate is great and the DAP supports quick charge, even if it takes ages to charge completely. My advice, like an electric car, just charge up to 80%, and chargeback when you arrive around 20%.
The player offers 64Gb of internal memory and relies on micro-SD cards for additional storage. Every type and size are supported, from SDHC to SDXC up to 2TB, even if they are not available yet.
Again, the USB-C port supports two-way transfers and so, the Kann Alpha can be used as a DAC on a computer, or a source once paired with a DAC.
Battery Life and Charging
The battery is rated at 5600mAh, a massive number that explains why the player is so thick.
If the new Sabre chips drain more power than before, it’s mostly the fact that A&K wants you to drive big cans with the Kann Alpha that justify a battery this big. More power, more battery, logic.
On my first run, it took me 6h to reach the 50% landmark, so the 14h bar should not be too far from a dream. If you use a fast charger that can output at least 9V/1,67Ah, you can expect 3-4h for a full charge, when the battery is completely depleted. Fast, but not amazing.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth was never Astell&Kern player’s forte, but like the SE180, the Kann Alpha made some progress compared to its predecessor. Compatible with apt-X, AAC/SBC, and LDAC, the Kann Alpha also supports apt-X HD.
There is no bidirectional support, however, Astell&Kern keeping it for its higher-tier player.
The review continues on Page four, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.
Page 1: About the brand
Page 2: Design & Build Quality
Page 4: Specifications
Page 5: Sound performances
Onik
Wrong Specs! Ka works only with WiFi: 2.4 GHz.
also you didn’t mention that this new DAP has issues with embedded tidal, it keeps skipping songs randomly even their new updates couldn’t fix the damn issue. The WiFi module of this dap is really old gen so its doesn’t really work with moder busy routers, in 2020 and for the price I paid the dap should be the most powerful portable streaming device but sadly A&K is a joke! instead of fixing their current gen dap they keep making their sexy looking daps with d.o.d.g.y support!
Edmundo
Agreed! I am having the same problem, I’ll return it.
It is so refreshing that still a few concerned consumers just point to real shortages, instead of just going with the hype or the marketing superficialities.
Claudio
Embedded tidal? Did you try to install Tidal apk? The embedded tidal in all A&K didn´t work well but if you install the apk TIDAL will work perfectly!. I agree that all A&K DAP use old parts in their DAPs. In my experience i think all DAPs has weakness. I have own many brands like Fiio, Ibasso, Sony, Hiby, Shanling and A&K and I can’t find one with perfect performance. Or the battery drains, or the android stop working, or the wifi/BT are weak or the UI is to slow and so on!!. And the DAP that do the best job didn’t sound as great as the other with some issues.
Sproesser
That’s useful feedback. Best to read the user reviews before buying any DAC to make sure the issues it has are not a deal breaker for you. I have the Kann Cube. Same thing, a couple flaws that hold it back from being otherwise amazing.
Chance Witt
Guessing that you haven’t reviewed a Pioneer XDP-300R based on that volume range comment.
The Pioneer has over 150 individual volume steps, makes phenomenal use of its dual DACs, and even utilizes two way BT.
It also operates on a full Android OS.
I’d highly recommend comparing it to the midrange DAPs you’ve touted in this review to see how it stands up in your opinion.
I keep trying to move to a “higher end” player only to find I often have to make too many concessions in other areas just to get an arguably higher end DAC.
Katie Fincher
The Kann Cube is hands down the worst DAC I’ve ever owned, and it all comes down to its charging capabilities. It is impossible to charge it at a rate that keeps its battery in check while using anything 1.4v or higher on the XLR out, so it stops working after less than an hour.
Do not buy.