Astell&Kern Kann ULTRA

Astell&Kern Kann ULTRA Audiophile Player

The Astell&Kern KANN ULTRA portable audio player stands out as a high-end device specially designed to satisfy audiophiles seeking exceptional sound quality. Sporting the “Forceful Impact” design concept, this player features a volume wheel integrated into its body and an aluminum finish available in Astro Gray.

Exceptional Performance

The KANN ULTRA offers four gain modes, providing up to 16Vrms of desktop Hi-Fi level output, making it capable of powering many of today’s high-resolution headphones.

The innovation doesn’t stop there. The KANN ULTRA features a triple output mode, enabling an optimal audio experience with demanding headphones, detailed IEMs, and external devices. Thanks to Teraton Alpha technology, Astell&Kern goes beyond mere separation of output ports by offering a distinct amplifier/sound design for each port. The result: an unparalleled immersive sound, even on the go.

Preset Gain Settings and Amp/Pre-amp Separation

With 4 preset gain settings, the KANN ULTRA is ready to meet the demands of various IEMs and headphones available on the market. The enhanced current management of the output port ensures reliable performance with devices of varying impedances, while the separation of balanced and unbalanced AMPs minimizes noise, ensuring optimal sound quality.

Noise Reduction

The KANN ULTRA owes its impressive ultra-high output to Astell&Kern’s ultimate sound solution, TERATON ALPHA. This technology, evolved from experience gained with predecessors such as the KANN MAX and the CA1000 series, effectively eliminates power noise, offers optimal energy management, unwavering amplification, and first-class audio conversion.

The Power of Dual ES9039MPRO DACs

Equipped with two ES9039MPRO DACs, the latest flagship from ESS, the KANN ULTRA delivers a sound experience that exceeds expectations. This updated model features a built-in stereo MQA hardware rendering engine, ensuring rich and expansive sounds. Advanced modulation reduces power consumption, noise, and distortion, guaranteeing exceptional audio performance.

Next-Generation Octa-Core Processors

The KANN ULTRA pioneers the introduction of next-generation Octa-Core processors. This innovation translates to faster system performance, offering a smooth and responsive 4th-generation user experience. The physical separation of the audio circuit area from the processor area ensures optimal heat dissipation and noise reduction, contributing to the KANN ULTRA’s sonic excellence.

Benefits of the Astell&Kern KANN ULTRA

• Ultra-high and clear sound performance
• Dual ES9039MPRO DAC chips for high-resolution audio
• Supports playback up to 32bit/768kHz and Native DSD512
• Four gain modes with up to 16Vrms output
• Triple output mode for versatile connectivity
• Next-generation Octa-Core processor for enhanced performance
• 5.5-inch HD touchscreen
• Supports various audio formats
• Long battery life with up to 11 hours of playback

Technical Specifications

General Features

• Audiophile player KANN 128 GB
• 14 cm touchscreen (1080 x 1920)
• Dual digital-to-analog converter (DAC) ES9039MPRO
• Next-generation octa-core processor
• Aluminum structure
• 4 preset gain levels

Technologies

• Digital Audio Remastering (Digital Audio Remaster - DAR)
• Astell&Kern’s exclusive TERATON ALPHA

Compatible Audio Formats

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

Sampling Rates

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

Headphone Output Level

• Low gain: Unbalanced 2 Vrms / Balanced 4 Vrms
• Medium gain: Unbalanced 4 Vrms / Balanced 8 Vrms
• High gain: Unbalanced 6 Vrms / Balanced 12 Vrms
• Super Gain: Unbalanced 8 Vrms / Balanced 16 Vrms

Clock

• Clock jitter: 25 ps (typical)
• Reference clock jitter: 200 fs

Storage

• Internal memory: 128 GB
• Memory expansion: microSD x 1 (max. 1 TB)

Battery

• Capacity: Lithium-polymer 8,400 mAh 3.8 V
• Charging time: approximately 3.5 hours (PD 3.0 charger)
• Battery life: approximately 11 hours (FLAC, 16-bit, 44.1 kHz, volume 50, screen off, low gain)

Connectivity

• USB Type-C port (charging and PC/MAC connection)
• Outputs:
  • 3.5 mm unbalanced jack (optical output)
  • 4.4 mm balanced jack (5 poles only)
  • 3.5 mm unbalanced mini-jack line out
• Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5 GHz)
• Bluetooth 5.3 (A2DP, AVRCP, Qualcomm aptX-HD, LDAC, LHDC)

Physical Characteristics

• Firmware update possible over-the-air (OTA)
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 82.4 x 141.1 x 24.4 mm
• Weight: approximately 390 g