Astell&Kern Kann Alpha Review

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Specifications

 For the nit-pickers and nerdy ones here, I’m giving the specs and technical sheets. For all the others, you can just get to the next page and see how the DAP performs.

Dual Sabre 9068AS

I was tempted to say A&K chose Sabre chips due to the Asahi Kasei chip shortage. But, the Kann series always had a different goal than the A&Norma/Futura/Ultima series. If the first Kann was packed with an AKM AK4490 chip, the Kann Alpha sports a set of dual Sabre ESS 9068AS. A very good chip we’ve already seen in the Shanling M6 Pro 21, with spectacular results.

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This chip supports 32-Bit 768kHz PCM, DSD256 via DoP, native DSD512, and… MQA. Moreover, it gets the bells and whistles that come along: Quad-DAC technology, Time domain Jitter Eliminator, HyperStream II etc… DNR is advertised to reach up to 126dB, THD -120dB, and SNR is equally good with a spectacular value: -130dB. 

In single-ended mode, crosstalk reaches 128dB, but in balanced mode, the separation reaches new heights, 136dB, which is very good already. And if not as impressive, the signal-to-noise ratio also gains… a single dB: 116dB in single-ended mode, 117dB in balanced mode.

Cube power, in Kann size

What’s really impressive with the Kann Alpha is how well it blends the two previous player, in a sole device. 

If the Kann Cube offered massive power – up to 12Vrms in balanced mode and high gain – it came with shorter battery life than the original Kann: 9h instead of 15 hours. Also, the Cube was a behemoth, a Kann on steroids to support all the caps that suit this kind of player.

But, A&K did a magic trick with the Kann Alpha. They fitted the same power previously found in the Kann Cube, in a case almost as “small” as the original Kann. To do so, Astell developed ultra-small tantalum capacitors through a collaboration with Matsuo Electric, to ensure stable power, with no compromise on power.

As a result, the Kann Alpha offers massive power (12Vrms balanced / 6Vrms unbalanced) and improved playback time than before: 14 ½ hours.

Bundle

Inside the box

The Astell&Kern Kann Alpha bundle is scarce, very scarce. In the box you have:

  • the Astell&Kern Kann Alpha
  • a USB-C cable
  • a glass protection
  • a quick-start manual
  • and you’re done!

No adapter, no coaxial cable, nothing! For a sub $500 or even sub $1000 I was already complaining, but for an €1100 device… it’s downright infuriating.

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Full specs

  • Type: Digital Audio Player

  • OS: Astell&Kern UI
  • CPU: Quad-core
  • RAM: 4Gb
  • ROM: 64Gb
  • DAC: 2x ES9068AS
  • Sample rate: PCM : 8Hz – 768kHz (8/16/24/32bits) native – DSD64/128/256/512
  • System clock: 250 femtoseconds (25ps)
  • Outputs: 3.5mm headphone out/line-out  / 2.5mm balanced headphone output / 4.4mm balanced headphone output
  • Input: USB Type-C
  • Screen: 4” 1280×720 IPS
  • Micro SD: SDHC / SDXC (single slot)
  • USB DAC: yes
  • WiFi: 2.4 GHz 
  • Streaming app support
  • Bluetooth support: SBC, aptX, LDAC, aptX-HD, AAC
  • Bluetooth: 5.0
  • Battery: 3.8V 5600mAh Li-Polymer
  • Quick Charge: yes (9V/1.67A)
  • Battery life: 14.5h in single-ended, 11h in balanced
  • Charging time: around 3.5h
  • Size: 68.3mm*117mm*25mm
  • Weight: 316g 

 3.5 mm Headphone out

  • SNR: 116dB
  • Crosstalk: -128dB
  • Output impedance: 0.8 ohm
  • THD: 0.0003%

2.5 mm Headphone out / 4.4mm Headphone out

  • SNR: 117dB
  • Crosstalk: -136dB
  • Output impedance: 2.0ohm (2.5mm) 1.8ohm (4.4mm)
  • THD: 0.0005%

 The review continues on Page five, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.

Page 1: About the brand

Page 2: Design & Build Quality

Page 3: UI & Usage

Page 5: Sound performances

If you arrived on this page directly, please click here to start reading at the beginning: https://www.headfonia.com/astell-kern-kann-alpha-review/

4.2/5 - (163 votes)
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A nerdy guy with a passion for audio and gadgets, he likes to combine his DAC and his swiss knife. Even after more than 10 years of experience, Nanotechnos still collects all gear he gets, even his first MPMAN MP3 player. He likes spreadsheets, technical specs and all this amazing(ly boring) numbers. But most of all, he loves music: electro, classical, dubstep, Debussy : the daily playlist.

6 Comments

  • Reply July 23, 2021

    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!

    • Reply August 6, 2021

      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.

    • Reply August 11, 2021

      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.

      • Reply November 8, 2021

        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.

  • Reply November 7, 2021

    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.

  • Reply May 26, 2022

    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.

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