Astell & Kern – Kann Alpha
1.199,00 €
Astell & Kern’s Kann Alpha is the powerhouse among all DAPs. As it can drive most over-ear headphones at ease, it’s the most versatile hi-res audio player in the market. Use it at home and on the go, with in-ears, over-ears, connect it to your stereo system. The Astell & Kern Kann Cube is your all-in-one solution.
Delivery time: 3-5 days
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Product Description
KANN ALPHA Hi-Res player
As the third product in the KANN line of digital audio players, the KANN ALPHA brings the following features:
- The first Astell&Kern DAP to feature a 4.4mm balanced output
- Complete separation of balanced lines to provide noise-free output
- Crosstalk of 141dB and top-notch audio performance through a complete circuit redesign
- Powerful 12Vrms ultra-high output support
- 14 ½ hours of continuous playback
- Equipped with the latest version of Bluetooth, Bluetooth 5.0
- Artistic design and ultra-precision metal shaping technology that Astell&Kern has perfected
Noise-free balanced 4.4mm output port
The KANN ALPHA features a completely new 4.4mm balanced output port, implemented in a unique way.
Unlike others of its kind, the Hi-Res Player can physically separate the 2.5mm and 4.4mm outputs using micro relays. When the 2.5mm and 4.4mm structures are connected only to the ordinary mute circuit, they do not prevent the noise interference that can occur because not every signal is properly blocked.
KANN ALPHA convinces with a noise-free output because we have included an independent structure that completely blocks interference from outputs that are not used and should be turned off.
Gold PVD coating method
A gold PVD coating on the headphone jack minimizes any contact noise at the output. This sets the KANN ALPHA apart from other products that only use typical rings. This results in an improvement both in terms of design and function. With the 4.4 mm Pentaconn connector from NDICS, the Astell&Kern player fulfills the wishes of the users, and has an excellent quality and durability.
The KANN ALPHA with the highest level of channel separation
Channel crosstalk indicates how much the signal leaks between the L and R channels. The Hi-Res Player has an excellent performance measurement for crosstalk.
The higher the crosstalk number, the better the separation between the channels and the deeper and wider the sense of space that can be felt. The Astell&Kern KANN ALPHA features an unprecedented crosstalk measurement of -141 dB (High Gain), unmatched by any other portable audio product in its class.
Customize your sound by selecting among various DAC filters
- Linear Phase Fast Roll-Off: Most Common filter with clean suppression and high rejection, best for music with high transients. Provides crisp clean highs
- Minimum Phase Slow Roll-Off: Non Symetrical filter designed to minimize pre ringing.
Strong punchy bass with good transient attacks - Hybrid Fast Roll-Off: Non Symetrical filter designed to minimize pre ringing.
Strong punchy bass with good transient attacks
Perfected metal manufacturing technology
In the first generation of KANN, the body was formed by extrusion, while KANN ALPHA uses precision metal fabrication. Astell&Kern uses more than seven different processes to manufacture the KANN ALPHA Hi-Res Player. Astell&Kern’s proprietary aluminum enclosure suppresses noise to improve sound quality while ensuring the best signal transmission to the audio circuits. Laser Ground Extension technology is used to achieve the best possible sound. The vibration-free processing machines are the same ones used by expensive Swiss luxury watch manufacturers.
Powerful 12Vrms output and continuous playback
Despite the fact that the KANN ALPHA has the same 12Vrms output as the current KANN CUBE, the player has been tuned to be less in size. This is accomplished by the reduction in size of multiple components such as resistors and capacitors, the rearrangement of various components, and the optimization of the circuit. As a result, more than 60 components were modified throughout the time of the development process. To satisfy the high demands, Astell&Kern developed ultra-small tantalum capacitors in conjunction with Matsuo Electric in Japan to fulfill the demanding specifications. These capacitors offer stable power to the player while also suppressing electrical noise. Astell&Kern is able to reach 14 1/2 hours of continuous playback with the KANN ALPHA because to a newly developed power circuit utilized in the device.
KANN ALPHA vs. KANN CUBE vs. KANN
| KANN ALPHA | KANN CUBE | KANN | |
| Output Level | High Unbalanced 6Vrms;Balanced 12Vrms(Condition No Load)Mid Unbalanced 4Vrms;Balanced 8Vrms(Condition No Load)Low Unbalanced 2Vrms;Balanced 4Vrms(Condition No Load) |
High Unbalanced 6Vrms;Balanced 12Vrms(Condition No Load)Mid Unbalanced 4Vrms;Balanced 8Vrms(Condition No Load)Low Unbalanced 2Vrms;Balanced 4Vrms(Condition No Load) |
High Unbalanced 4.1Vrms;Balanced 8.1Vrms(Condition No Load)Low Unbalanced 2.1Vrms;Balanced 2.1Vrms(Condition No Load) |
| Dimensions (WxHxD in mm) | 68.3 x 117 x 25 | 87.7 x 140 x 31.5 | 71.2 x 115.8 x 25.6 |
| Playback Time | 14 ½ Hours | 9 Hours | 15 Hours |
Bluetooth 5.0 and support for wireless 24-bit Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, LDAC Codecs
As the first Astell&Kern player to feature the latest Bluetooth 5.0 version, the KANN ALPHA offers high quality sound with the convenience of wireless playback on headphones and IEMs. Thus, the Hi-Res Player features faster transmission speed, longer range and more stable wireless connection. Both LDAC and Qualcomm® aptX™ HD are supported to provide audiophiles with high-quality wireless sound.
Bluetooth 5.0 vs. Bluetooth 4.2
| Features | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Speed | 2Mbps | 1Mbps |
| Range | 40meters | 10meters |
| Power Consumption | Low | High |
| Battery Life | Longer | Shorter |
Real-time information is shown by light
The KANN ALPHA has an LED volume wheel that displays various playback information, more precisely the volume level and bit rate of the currently playing track. The LED can be turned on or off depending on the user setting.
Roon Ready network players
Roon Ready network players have Roon’s high-resolution streaming technology already built in. They combine ease of setup, day-to-day reliability, and support for the highest level of digital audio performance in the industry. In addition, every Roon Ready player is certified by Roon.
MQA (Master Quality Authenticated)
The A&K A&norma SR25 player incorporates award-winning MQA technology, which allows it to play back MQA audio files and streams, reproducing the sound of the original master recording. Visit mqa.co.uk for more information.
Coming soon
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