Astell&Kern KANN MAX Digital Audio Player

Astell&Kern KANN MAX Digital Audio Player

Maximum power

The KANN MAX is the 4th model in Astell&Kern's acclaimed KANN series. Adored by audiophiles all over the world for its performance focused on high output and ultra-clear sound, the KANN MAX achieves a higher power output (15Vrms) than its award-winning predecessor, the KANN ALPHA. By applying advanced design and audio technology, this newfound power is also housed in a more compact and lightweight chassis. The result is an even wider variety of headphones, including sophisticated high impedance models, can be optimally driven without the need for additional amplification.

• Features 4-step gain level with maximum 15Vrms output to support a wider variety of headphones without distortion
• Innovative circuit design with ultra-high output and low noise in an even smaller-sized player
• Equipped with ESS ES9038Q2M Quad-DAC for exceptionally clear and balanced sound
• Features proprietary TERATON ALPHA Sound Solution technology
• Supports playback of high-resolution digital audio files up to 32-bit 768 kHz/Native DSD512
• Bluetooth 5.0 and 24-bit wireless codec (aptX™ HD, LDAC) support
• Replay Gain function uniformly adjusts volume playback from sound sources up to 24-bit/192 kHz.

Higher output, more compact design

As the power output increases, so does the noise level that adversely effects the audio performance. Through innovative integrated circuit design, Astell&Kern is able to achieve a low noise-level while hitting the new 15Vrms ‘Super’ output setting, and all inside a more compact design.

Superior quad DAC

The KANN MAX is the first player in the KANN series to be equipped with four ES9038Q2M DACs for a high-output performance. By employing Quad DACs - one DAC can each be fully allocated to four individual amp channels - the depth and realism of the sound source can be expressed to the fullest.

Drives any type of headphone

The KANN MAX plays files up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and native DSD512, while supporting 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphones connections for accommodating a greater variety of headphones and in-ear monitors (IEM). In order to minimise contact noise from the output jacks, a gold PVD coating method is applied to the headphone connector instead of the typical rings employed by other products. This improves both design and function.

All connectivity options covered

A BT Sink function connects the KANN MAX to an external device, such as a smartphone, via Bluetooth, enabling music to be played back in high-quality on the player. Elsewhere the KANN MAX boasts Bluetooth® 5.0, providing greater range and a more stable wireless connection to headphones and, along with support for 24-bit aptX™ HD and LDAC codecs, offers the best possible wireless sound quality. Alongside Wi-Fi support, the KANN MAX features AK File Drop for easier wireless file transfers.

Playback power

Although smaller in size, all power-related components and the power circuit been developed to achieve 13 hours of continuous playback. The KANN MAX harbours 64GB on-board memory that can be expanded up to 1TB via a microSD card slot, meaning users can carry thousands of hi-res albums with them at all times.

Specification

• Body Colour: Anthracite Gray
• Body Material: Aluminium
• Display: 4.1-inch, 720 x 1280 touch screen
• Supported Audio Formats:WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF
• 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: Supports 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)
• Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz)
• Bluetooth:V5.0 (A2DP, AVRCP, Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, LDAC)
• Dimensions: 2.68-inches (68.3mm)[W] x 4.6-inches (117mm)[H] x 0.92-inches (23.6mm)[D]
• Weight: 305g (about 10.76oz)
• Feature Enhancements: Firmware upgrade supported (OTA)
• Built-in Memory: 64GB [NAND]
• External Memory: microSD x1 (Max. 1TB)
• Capacity: 5,600mAh 3.8V Li-Polymer
• Charge Time: about 3.5 hours (9V 1.67A Fast Charging) | 5.5hours (5V 2A General Charging)
• Playback Time: about 13 hours (Standard FLAC, 16bit, 44.1kHz, Unbalanced, Vol.40, LCD Off, LED On, Low Gain)
• Supported OS: Windows 7,8,10(32/64bit) MAC OS X 10.

Included in the box

• 1x Astell&Kern KANN MAX player
• 1x USB-C to USB-A cable (1 metre)
• 3x screen protectors
• 1x Quick start guide

About Astell&Kern

Astell&Kern is the ultimate digital music source that brings you Mastering Quality Sound or MQS. Astell means ‘Stars’ in Latin and Kern means ‘Center’ in German. We believe Astell&Kern is the center of music.

Today, original music performances can be captured in digital almost exactly as they were performed due to new, advanced recording technology currently available. However, these high quality recordings are mainly listened to through inferior sound formats, such as MP3 or through streaming services. With the debut of the MP3 format, music lovers sacrificed sound quality for the convenience of being able to carry their music collection wherever they went. Because the MP3 format heavily compresses files for the sake of convenience, the vocals and instruments you hear are only an inferior version of the original. The soundstage and the ambience of the original performance often disappears when listening to compressed MP3 music. After pondering these issues, Astell&Kern was our solution to poor sound quality for the sake of portability, and our way in reviving the original sound quality of music, MQS, for music artists, recording engineers, and professionals.

Astell&Kern's pursuit is to provide natural and original sound without distortion. It showcases the presence of the original recording with miniscule details you may not have noticed from other music systems, while playing back high-resolution music bit by bit, exactly as it was recorded. The ability to play back the exact recording of any live performance is what Astell&Kern is known for.

The power of true sound from Astell&Kern can now be experienced and has been part of many famous audio exhibitions around the world. Astell&Kern is now admired by music lovers from many countries, including the USA, China, Japan, UK, France, and many more around the world.