Astell&Kern - KANN ALPHA

The Astell&Kern KANN series has just got more powerful with the KANN ALPHA. This Hi-Res audio player has an inbuilt headphone amplifier that can drive just about any headphone or IEM. It even offers users three different gain modes — low, mid and high. A newly redesigned power circuit ensures a noise-free output by blocking interference from outputs that are not being used and switching them off.

Two ESS ES9068AS DAC Chips are arranged in a dual-mono configuration to offer native 32bit/384kHz and DSD256 playback. To offer better sound quality, wider soundstage and stereo separation, MQA hardware has been built into the DAC for 8x rendering. This DAP also supports MQA-CD playback when playing MQA-CDs using the AK CD-Ripper. You can further adjust the sound using the DAC filters. The KANN ALPHA can be used as a USB DAC for your Windows PC or Mac.

The KANN ALPHA offers a powerful performance in a compact design. This was achieved by miniaturising and rearranging components like resistors and capacitors. Ultra-small tantalum capacitors, developed exclusively through a collaboration with Matsuo Electric in Japan, offer a stable power supply without any electrical noise or vibrations. Crosstalk refers to the amount of signal leakage between the left and right channels. Higher the Crosstalk, better the sense of space and channel separation. This DAP offers an unmatched Crosstalk of -141dB.

The KANN ALPHA offers multiple connectivity options in wired as well as wireless mode. It features a 2.5mm balanced output and a 4.4mm NDICS Pentaconn headphone jack, a first among A&K players. Both have been completely separated via micro relays to offer a noise-free playback and have a powerful output of 12Vrms. This is also the first player in their line-up to feature Bluetooth v5.0. LDAC and Qualcomm aptX HD codecs offer lossless audio quality even while streaming wirelessly.

Expect a seamless performance with the KANN ALPHA's quad-core processor and 5-inch HD touchscreen. Thanks to its OpenApp service and Android v9.0 OS, you can install .apk files and stream songs from a music platform of your choice including Tidal, Spotify, Amazon Music and more. When streaming offline, you can store music in the 64GB internal memory or (up to) 1TB microSD card. Expect a 14.5-hour battery life with this player. The KANN ALPHA also supports Wi-Fi, DLNA networking and a USB digital audio output.

A gold PVD coating is applied to the headphone connectors to reduce contact noise. The volume wheel has been designed the same way as luxury Swiss watches with vibration-free processing machines for a better operating feel. It displays different coloured lights to showcase the music playback information. Over 7 different processes have been used to create a durable high-gloss ceramic top cover. A special coating has been added over the ceramic surface to keep fingerprints and smudges away from the sleek all-black finish.

All Astell&Kern Players are known for their unique sculpture-like designs. The KANN ALPHA is no exception. While the original KANN featured an extrusion method for its aluminium body, the KANN ALPHA's aluminium body has been crafted using laser ground extension technology for the best sound quality with minimum distortion. Independent machining processing is applied to individual areas to create small patterns and fine lines that enhance the look of the player.