Astell&Kern Kann Max - High Power DAP

Delivery time: Color Anthracite Gray available immediately | Color Mud from mid-October (can be pre-ordered)

Engineered for powerful perfection

The KANN series is a portable player loved by audiophiles around the world for its high performance and clear sound. KANN MAX, the fourth product of the KANN series, builds on the advantages of the KANN series, offering higher output power and portability. It offers 4 levels of amplification and an output power of up to 15Vrms, so that a wide range of headphones can be optimally driven.

By integrating the proven design of the KANN series into a lighter and smaller device, we have realized both extremely high output power and low noise. Equipped with the ESS ES9038Q2M Quad-DAC and Astell&Kern's unique audio technology, the KANN MAX offers the best performance you can expect from a portable DAP.

Reviews

"After using the KANN MAX for many hours, I feel confident saying that this is the best the KANN series has to offer so far. The MAX hosts a fantastic sound signature, with a pure reference quality that is hard to beat. If you have the KANN ALPHA and are looking to upgrade, the MAX is a perfect option if you're willing to dish out the cash. A&K's DAPs are only going to get faster and easier to use, and the MAX is a testament to that notion."

Astell & Kern KANN MAX Review - Major HiFi

Sound quality (60%) : 5 out of 5 ears
Equipment (20%) : 4 out of 5 ears
Workmanship (20%) : 5 out of 5 ears

"Nevertheless, in my opinion, the ASTELL&KERN marks the current MAX imum in the KANN universe in terms of sound technology. And in my opinion, even significantly more expensive DAPs do not need to be feared. Because especially in combination with high-efficiency over-ear headphones the KANN MAX acoustically a power."

ASTELL&KERN KANN MAX hearing test - Musicalhead

4-stage gain stage with a maximum of 15Vrms output

• Perfect circuit design with ultra-high power output and low noise in an even smaller device
• Equipped with the ESS ES9038Q2M Quad DAC that delivers clear, exceptional output
• TERATON ALPHA, the epitome of Astell&Kern audio technology
• 32-bit/768kHz, native DSD512 support
• Bluetooth 5.0 and 24-bit codec support (Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, LDAC)
• ReplayGain that automatically adjusts volume to be consistent across tracks

Ultra high performance in a smaller device

KANN MAX takes the identity of the series to the next level and offers a perfect experience with high power and clear sound.
It offers 4 stages of gain and an ultra-high output power of up to 15Vrms, which was previously only possible with a stationary headphone amplifier war.

KANN MAX can perfectly drive even the most demanding high-impedance headphones.

KANN MAX offers a smaller size and lighter weight than the KANN APLHA player, which offers the best portability in the existing KANN series.

Despite the smaller size, all power consumption-related components have been analyzed and the circuit has undergone multiple revisions to provide 13 hours of continuous playback.

Perfect circuit design, achieving both ultra-high performance and low noise

As the power increases, so does the noise level.
KANN MAX is equipped with an ultra-high output power that does not allow noise, reflecting the philosophy of Astell&Kern to reproduce the original sound as it should be without compromise. Together we have developed the perfect circuit design to achieve this.

KANN MAX uses an analog volume control to deliver a wide dynamic range without losses. By separately configuring the power supply IC for each audio block, divided into DAC, volume and AMP, KANN MAX is designed to stably deliver the power required for each audio IC. This design eliminates the annoying DC-DC power supply ripple noise (the rattling noise that occurs with the power supply). Audio noise heard in the OP AMP as amplified tones is minimized.

The KANN MAX's ultra-high power output and low noise were achieved by a different circuit design, including the development and division of a limited circuit board that supports the same size as that of the KANN ALPHA, in 12 layers and checking the physical size of the device used for the AMP circuit.

Quad DAC sound that reproduces clear and overwhelming sound output

KANN MAX is the first player in the KANN series to be equipped with four ES9038Q2M DACs for high output power.

By using quad DACs, one DAC can be fully assigned to one channel so that the depth and realism of the sound source are fully expressed.

Combined with Astell&Kern's amplifier circuit technology, which naturally and delicately boosts the strengths of the DAC, and the perfect decoding ability of the DAC , which reproduces the original sound as it is, the music output is reproduced as the original sound without distortion.

Four DACs in KANN MAX, a power supply IC configured for each audio block, and a perfect circuit design ensure extremely high output power and low noise, giving you the best performance and sound the KANN series is known for.

Quad-DAC Audio Block Diagram

Gold PVD initial coating

In order to minimize the contact noise of the output jacks, the headphone jack is given a gold PVD coating instead of the rings that are common on other products. This improves both the design and the function.

32-bit/768kHz, native DSD512 support

Bit-to-bit playback is possible up to 32-bit/768kHz, and DSD playback is native up to 22.4MHz, for uncompressed sound quality that stays true to the artist's original intent, in high resolution and with minimal distortion.

Astell&Kern audio technology forms the TERATON ALPHA sound solution

TERATON ALPHA is AK's ultimate sound solution, providing faithful audio reproduction through the audio output interface through effective noise reduction, efficient power management and amplification with minimal distortion.

TERATON ALPHA features Astell&Kern's patented technologies that The result of tens of thousands of hours of continuous research and development to produce a sound that closely resembles the original sound intended by the artist and producer.

Equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 and support

• for wireless 24-bit aptX™-HD, LDAC codecs
• Bluetooth 5.0 offers faster transmission speed and longer range compared to Bluetooth 4.2, providing a more stable wireless connection.
• Both LDAC and aptX™ HD are supported to provide audiophiles with high-quality sound even when listening wirelessly

Wireless Hi-Fi sound through BT Sink

The BT Sink function connects the KANN MAX to an external device via Bluetooth, similar to connecting a smartphone to a BT speaker. Music from an external device such as a smartphone, can now be played back in high quality on the KANN MAX via the BT sink function.

BT Connect (RX mode/BT sink)

BT Connect (TX mode)

ReplayGain adjusts the playback volume automatically and evenly

ReplayGain, which adjusts sound sources with different volumes to an identical level. Now enjoy your own playlists seamlessly with KANN MAX.

* ReplayGain supports sound sources with up to 24bit/192 kHz.

AK File Drop for wireless transfers

The new AK File Drop function of the KANN MAX makes transferring files easier and more convenient.

With AK File Drop you can wirelessly transfer files via a PC, a smartphone or an FTP program , which is on the same network.
Managing music files is now possible with a wireless, wireless solution.

Real-time information is confirmed by LED

KANN MAX features an LED volume wheel that displays various playback information, including volume and bitrate of the track currently playing.

* The LED can be turned on or off depending on user preference.

MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is an award-winning British technology that reproduces the sound of the original master recording.

The MQA master file is fully authenticated and small enough to stream or download them. Visit mqa.co.uk for more information.

Astell&Kern KANN MAX includes MQA technology which allows you to play back MQA audio files and streams that reproduce the sound of the original master recording. The MQA logo is a trademark of MQA Limited. © MQA Limited 2018

Qualcomm aptX™ is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

Qualcomm is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries.

aptX™ is a trademark of Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd., registered in the United States and other countries

LDAC and the LDAC logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

DESIGN

KANN MAX was visualized as the maximum, taking the bold concept of the KANN series to capture the exuberant horsepower of a high-performance sports car and the intense power of a rocket engine.

While the previous KANN series image was a heavy and strong off-road vehicle image, with KANN MAX we wanted to continue the identity of the Astell&Kern KANN series while offering a slimmer size and high performance like a high-performance sports car .

The slimmer shape is accentuated by the hexagonal top line that tapers sharply from bottom to top, and the hairline treatment on the rear expresses the sense of speed and confidence in the vehicle's capabilities .
The fenders wrapped around the volume wheel emit sparks in the form of a powerful motor mounted on them, giving off a powerful image that looks like it might pop out at any moment.

The KANN MAX consists of an aluminum housing and is available in the color anthracite grey, the signature color of Astell&Kern, and in a limited edition in the color brown mud
The KANN MAX Brown Mud model is only produced in limited quantities , and the identity of the KANN series with its bold and heavy concept is further enhanced by this bold color and look. Experience the identity of the KANN series with the delicate and refined design of the anthracite gray color model and the brown mud color model with power and luxury.

Specifications

• Model

  CAN MAX

• Body Color

  Anthracite Gray, Brown Mud

• Body Material

  aluminum

• Display

  4.1-inch 720 x 1280 touch screen

• Supported Audio Formats

  WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF, MQA

• Sample Rate

  PCM : 8kHz ~ 768kHz (8/16/24/32bits per sample)
  DSD Native: DSD64(1bit 2.8MHz), Stereo / DSD128(1bit 5.6MHz), Stereo / DSD256(1bit 11.2MHz), DSD512(1bit, 22.4MHz) Stereo

• Output Level

  [Low] Unbalanced 2Vrms / Balanced 4Vrms (Condition No Load),
  [Mid] Unbalanced 4Vrms / Balanced 8Vrms (Condition No Load),
  [High] Unbalanced 6Vrms / Balanced 12Vrms (Condition No Load) ,
  [Super] Unbalanced 8Vrms / Balanced 15Vrms (Condition No Load)

• CPU

  Quad core

• DAC

  ESS ES9038Q2M x4 (Quad DAC)

• Decoding

  Support up to 32-bit/768kHz bit-to-bit playback

• Input

  USB Type-C input (for charging & PC & MAC)

• Outputs

  Unbalanced Out (3.5mm), Optical Out (3.5mm)
  Balanced Out (2.5mm, only 4-pole supported | 4.4m, only 5-pole supported)

• WiFi

  802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz)

• Bluetooth

  V5.0 (A2DP, AVRCP, Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, LDAC)

• Dimensions

  2.68"(68.3mm)[W] x 4.6"(117mm)[H] x 0.92"(23.6mm)[D]

• Weight

  about 10.76oz (305g)

• Feature Enhancements

  Firmware upgrade supported (OTA)

• Operating Temperature

  0℃~+40℃(32℉~104℉)