Astell & Kern
Kann Ultra Music Player DAP - Open Box
$1,359.00 USDFeatures
Headphone Out / Pre-Out / Line Out
Next-Generation Octa-Core Processors With Significant High-Performance Improvements
Supports 4 Preset Gain Settings With Ultra-High Output up to 16Vrms (Headphone Out)
Equipped With ES9039MPRO Dual DACs
Featured Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) Technology
Supports Playback up to 32-bit/768kHz, Native DSD512
Features Astell&Kern's Unique TERATON ALPHA Technology
Up to 11 Hours of Playback (Battery 8,400mAh)
What's in the Box?
Warranty
The KANN Ultra is Astell&Kern's most powerful music player to date, capable of driving virtually every headphone on the market, including high-demand models like the Dan Clark AEON Noire, Stealth, and Expanse. Its true discrete separate pathway for line-out makes it an ideal source for your two-channel home system or a portable amp like the Cayin C9, which can bypass its preamp stage. This means the KANN Ultra can serve as an affordable alternative to high-end Cayin DAPs, acting as a dedicated preamp/source for top-tier amplifiers like the C9.
Designed for those who need power on the go, the KANN Ultra excels at driving full-size audiophile-grade headphones, making it perfect for planar magnetics where increased power output translates to enhanced sound quality and fidelity. The flagship-level DAC chips deliver stunning audio, and with four levels of gain and substantial power, your music will have everything it needs to shine.
What sets the KANN Ultra apart is not just its increased output but also the addition of pre and line-outs. This provides a plethora of options for integrating the player into your system, whether it's a portable setup, a small-form desktop configuration, or a full-blown desktop setup as a standalone music source. Astell&Kern has consistently excelled in offering versatility, allowing you to enjoy your music how and where you want, without being limited to just a headphone setup on the go.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the Astell&Kern KANN Ultra DAP with our popular Black Dragon USB Audio Cable . The Black Dragon USB cable utilizes our single crystal UP-OCC copper construction to provide you with the best possible digital bus transmission. Our Black Dragon USB cable will bring an extraordinary amount of detail and resolution to your hi-fi system. The Black Dragon USB cable is designed to transfer digital audio from your source device (like a computer, phone, tablet, or digital audio player) to a USB-capable DAC. It is built to USB Audio specs. The Black Dragon USB Cable is meant for audio data transfer only - meaning that this cable should not be used for high-speed data transmission (via external hard drives). Because of the high-quality materials and cable geometry, Dragon USB cables greatly reduce stock USB cable issues such as packet loss and jitter.
Features:
- Triple Output Mode Featuring Separately Configured Circuit and Amplifier Designs
- Headphone Out / Pre-Out / Line Out
- Next-Generation Octa-Core Processors With Significant High-Performance Improvements
- Supports 4 Preset Gain Settings With Ultra-High Output up to 16Vrms (Headphone Out)
- Equipped With ES9039MPRO Dual DACs
- Featured Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) Technology
- Supports Playback up to 32-bit/768kHz, Native DSD512
- Features Astell&Kern's Unique TERATON ALPHA Technology
- Up to 11 Hours of Playback (Battery 8,400mAh)
Plenty of Power for Your Music
The KANN series is beloved by audiophiles worldwide for its ultra-high output and crystal-clear sound. The KANN ULTRA, the fifth product in this acclaimed series, builds on this legacy with the highest output of any Astell&Kern player, featuring Triple Output Sound and an optimized processor and UI/UX for an enhanced listening experience. With four gain modes delivering up to 16Vrms of desktop Hi-Fi level output and powered by ES9039MPRO Dual DAC chips, the KANN ULTRA effortlessly drives today's high-resolution headphones. Additionally, its separate Pre/Line Out functionality allows users to connect and enjoy a variety of different audio devices.
Triple Output, Triple Sound
The KANN ULTRA features a Triple Output Mode, enabling you to experience Astell&Kern's meticulously crafted sound with demanding headphones, highly detailed IEMs, and external devices. Instead of merely separating the output ports, Astell&Kern's Teraton Alpha technology provides distinct amplifier and sound designs for the Headphone Out and Line/Pre-Out ports, ensuring optimal sound quality for each connection. With the KANN ULTRA's Triple Output, you can complete your powerful Head-Fi system even on portable devices.
*Headphone Out 3.5mm Port: S/PDIF Out Supports
1. Headphone Out: The port features 4 preset gain settings and ultra-high output of up to 16Vrms. The headphone port is designed to perfectly run demanding headphones with high impedance using only the player with no external AMP.
2. Pre-Out: Select Pre-Out mode on the Pre/Line Out port to output sound to an external amplifier or audio device. This mode delivers sound through a specially designed Pre-Out amplifier, instead of the high-powered Headphone Out amp. Pre-Out functions like a Pre-AMP and you can control the volume with the volume wheel.
*No Gain or Voltage settings, maximum output 2Vrms/4Vrms
3. Line Out: Select Line Out mode on the Pre/Line Out port to output sound that is optimized when connected to external devices. This mode outputs the sound from the DAC directly without going through an amplifier, resulting in the lowest noise level and making it ideal for connecting to external audio devices. Line Out has a fixed voltage output (4 levels) and no volume control.
4 Gain Levels and Outputs up to 16Vrms for the Perfect Head-Fi
To power the most sophisticated IEMs and headphones, a DAP needs to deliver output that matches the receiver's characteristics. The KANN ULTRA excels in this with its four preset gain settings, offering up to 16Vrms—the highest output of any Astell&Kern player—ensuring optimal performance for today's diverse IEMs and headphones. The output port's current-handling capability has been enhanced to reliably power devices with varying impedances at any gain level. Additionally, the AMPs are separated into Balanced and Unbalanced, optimizing currents and reducing noise for superior sound quality. Beyond its powerful output, the KANN ULTRA boasts a larger 5.5-inch screen and an improved grip compared to the popular KANN CUBE. Despite its capabilities, the KANN ULTRA is lighter, weighing in at just 390 grams.
TERATON ALPHA, The Essence of A&K Audio Technologies
Astell&Kern's TERATON ALPHA technology is the key to the ultra-high output and intricate amplifier design with minimal noise in the compact KANN ULTRA portable audio player. This advanced technology enables the player to power even the most delicate headphones while supporting the Triple Output design.
Drawing on expertise in noise reduction at ultra-high power from previous models like the KANN MAX and the CA1000 series, Astell&Kern has further refined TERATON ALPHA. This proprietary technology is engineered through continuous research to deliver audio playback as close to the original sound as possible. It achieves this through effective power noise removal, efficient power management, unwavering amplification, and a fully converted audio output interface.
Upgraded Sound, the Newest ESS Flagship DAC
The KANN ULTRA is equipped with dual ES9039MPRO DACs, the latest flagship DACs from ESS, providing a richer and more expansive sound that surpasses expectations. The ES9039MPRO, an updated version of the ES9039PRO, features a built-in stereo hardware MQA renderer and advanced modulation to reduce power consumption, noise, and distortions, enhancing audio performance.
Astell&Kern has meticulously redesigned the AMP BLOCK to ensure that the ES9039MPRO's clear, high-resolution sound is accurately expressed through every port of the Triple Output. Each output showcases its unique, advanced performance characteristics, delivering exceptional audio quality across the board.
Incredible User Experience With Next-Generation Octa-Core Porcessors
The KANN ULTRA is the first to feature next-gen Octa-Core processors, delivering significant performance improvements for faster system speeds and a smoother, more responsive 4th generation UI/UX. This ensures you can fully enjoy the incredible sound performance of the KANN ULTRA.
To maintain optimal audio quality, the audio circuit area is physically separated from the processor area, which includes the CPU, memory, and wireless communication components. Additionally, a dedicated shield can is equipped to minimize heat and noise generated by the processor, ensuring the purest sound experience.
Crimson User Interface, A Music-Only Player
The KANN ULTRA debuts a Crimson-themed UI/UX, making it a standout "Player for Music" that enhances the entire listening experience. The Crimson UI/UX allows users to effortlessly browse music categories and rediscover songs within their library. An easy album art search function adds to the joy of viewing and interacting with album art while listening to music.
The crimson theme emphasizes simplicity and edge, featuring a dark mode with black and red highlights to reduce visual fatigue and provide an intuitive user experience. It also includes numerous improvements to the device’s user-friendliness, such as better streaming app integration, enhanced artist view, refined album sorting, and an improved album art search function. Immerse yourself in music with the Crimson UI/UX.
Craft Your Own Sound with DAC Filters
With the KANN ULTRA, you can pick and choose from seven DAC filters to create your own sound style. Design your own sound with the seven DAC filters.
Digital Audio Remaster Technology for Even More Vivid Original Sound
The KANN ULTRA is equipped with Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) technology, designed to deliver refined sound at higher sample rates. DAR technology upscales the sample rate of the audio source beyond its original format, allowing for more detailed playback and an analog-like sound quality. This enhances the richness and subtle nuances of the music, providing a fuller, more immersive listening experience.
*The DAR function can be toggled on or off to suit the source audio and your personal preferences. *It supports a maximum PCM rate of 384kHz and DSD256 conversion, with files being converted and played at sample rates that best match the source sound.
Crossfeed, Speaker Effect When Listening Through Headphones
In a headphone setup where left and right channels are distinctly separated, prolonged listening can lead to ear fatigue. By activating Crossfeed, a balanced and comfortable sound experience ensues. Crossfeed blends segments of the original signal from one channel and routes it to the opposite channel with a slight time difference, centering the sound image. With customizable settings like Shelf Cutoff, Shelf Gain, and Mixer Level, users can adjust the crossfeed intensity to suit their personal listening preferences.
Other Features:
- Real-Time Visual Feedback: The LED lights integrated into the volume wheel of the KANN ULTRA provide instant feedback on device power, volume levels, or the Bit Depth of the current track. Users can easily toggle the LED display on or off based on their preferences.
- Support for High-Resolution Audio: KANN ULTRA boasts Native DSD512 and up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM audio playback capabilities, leveraging Astell&Kern's advanced audio technology to deliver an immersive listening experience with your favorite music.
- Seamless Wireless File Transfers: With the AK File Drop feature, transferring files becomes effortless. Users can wirelessly transfer files between the KANN ULTRA and other devices such as PCs, smartphones, or FTP programs on the same network, streamlining music management without the need for cables.
- Enhanced Music Discovery with Roon ARC: KANN ULTRA supports the Roon ARC App, providing remote access to personalized music libraries with rich metadata, empowering users to explore and discover more about their favorite artists, albums, and playlists.
- Immersive Display Experience: The KANN ULTRA boasts a spacious 5.5-inch Full HD display, offering users a vivid and comfortable viewing experience for navigating through their music library and settings.
- Consistent Volume Levels with ReplayGain: Enjoy seamless playback with ReplayGain, which automatically adjusts the loudness of each track to maintain consistent volume levels across your playlist. Supporting up to 24-bit/192 kHz sources, ReplayGain ensures a uniform listening experience on the KANN ULTRA.
- High-Quality Wireless Audio Playback: The BT Sink function enables seamless Bluetooth connectivity with external devices, allowing users to enjoy high-quality music playback from smartphones or other devices on the KANN ULTRA, similar to connecting a smartphone to a Bluetooth speaker.
About Astell&Kern:
Astell&Kern is a renowned brand at the forefront of the high-resolution audio industry, specializing in premium music players, DACs, and amplifiers. With a diverse lineup including the flagship A&ultima SP3000 and the versatile Kann Alpha, Astell&Kern offers cutting-edge technology and exquisite craftsmanship to audiophiles worldwide. Featuring dual DACs, Quad DACs, MQS support, and Bluetooth connectivity, their devices deliver unparalleled sound quality and versatility. The a&futura series, such as the Acro CA1000T, showcases Astell&Kern's commitment to innovation, while accessories like leather cases and high-resolution LCD screens complement their all-in-one audio systems. Whether it's portable music players like the Kann Ultra or in-ear monitors, Astell&Kern products redefine the boundaries of audio technology excellence, blending stainless steel durability with Wi-Fi connectivity and microSD expansion for a truly immersive listening experience.
What's in the Box?
- Kann Ultra Music Player DAP
- USB-C Charging Cable
- Warranty and Manual
FAQ
What are the key features of the Astell&Kern KANN Ultra DAP Music Player?
The Astell&Kern KANN Ultra boasts a plethora of features, including dual DACs, MQS support, Bluetooth connectivity, a high-resolution LCD screen, and stainless steel construction.
What is the battery life like on the KANN Ultra?
The KANN Ultra offers impressive battery life, providing up to 14 hours of continuous playback for uninterrupted music enjoyment on the go.
Does the KANN Ultra support high-resolution audio formats?
Yes, the KANN Ultra supports a wide range of high-resolution audio formats, ensuring pristine sound quality for audiophiles.
Can I expand the storage on the KANN Ultra?
Absolutely, the KANN Ultra features a microSD card slot for expandable storage, allowing you to carry your entire music library with you wherever you go.
What accessories are available for the KANN Ultra?
Astell&Kern offers a variety of accessories for the KANN Ultra, including leather cases and screen protectors to enhance both the aesthetics and protection of your device.
Is the KANN Ultra compatible with in-ear monitors (IEMs)?
Yes, the KANN Ultra is compatible with a wide range of in-ear monitors, providing exceptional audio quality and clarity for your listening pleasure.
Can I connect the KANN Ultra to my Wi-Fi network?
Absolutely, the KANN Ultra features Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to stream music, download firmware updates, and access online music services with ease.
Does the KANN Ultra have a built-in DAC and amplifier?
Yes, the KANN Ultra features both a built-in DAC and amplifier, ensuring superior audio performance and driving power for even the most demanding headphones.
Is the KANN Ultra Roon Ready?
Yes, the KANN Ultra is Roon Ready, providing seamless integration with the Roon music playback and management platform for a premium listening experience.
How does the KANN Ultra compare to other Astell&Kern music players?
The KANN Ultra stands out with its robust build quality, extensive features, and exceptional audio performance, making it a top choice for audiophiles seeking the ultimate portable music player.
Specifications
- Body Color
- Astro Gray
- Body Material
- Aluminum
- Display
- 5.5-inch HD 1080 x 1920 touchscreen
- Supported Audio Formats
- WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DIFF, DSF, MQA
- Sample Rate
- PCM
- 8kHz ~ 768kHz (8/16/24/32-bits per Sample)
- DSD Native
- DSD64 (1-bit, 2.8MHz), Stereo / DSD128 (1-bit, 5.6MHz), Stereo / DSD256 (1-bit, 11.2MHz), Stereo / DSD512 (1-bit, 22.4MHz), Stereo
- Output Level: Headphone Out
- [Low Gain]
- Unbalanced 2Vrms / Balanced 4Vrms (Condition No Load)
- [Mid Gain]
- Unbalanced 4Vrms / Balanced 8Vrms (Condition No Load)
- [High Gain]
- Unbalanced 6Vrms / Balanced 12Vrms (Condition No Load)
- [Super Gain]
- Unbalanced 8Vrms / Balanced 16Vrms (Condition No Load)
- Pre - Line Out
- Unbalanced 2Vrms / Balanced 4Vrms (Condition No Load)
- CPU
- Octa-Core
- DAC
- ESS ES9039MPRO x 2 (Dual-DAC)
- Decoding
- Support up to 32-Bit/768kHz Bit-to-Bit Playback
- Input
- USB Type-C Input (For Charging & PC & MAC)
- Outputs
- Headphone Out
- 3.5mm (Unbalanced Out, Optical Out), 4.4mm (Balanced Out, only 5-pole supported)
- Pre - Line Out
- 3.5mm (Unbalanced Out), 4.4mm (Balanced Out, only 5-pole supported)
- Wi-Fi
- 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz)
- Bluetooth
- V5.3 (A2DP, AVRCP, Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, LDAC)
- Dimensions
- 3.24" (82.4mm) [W] x 5.55" (141.1mm) [H] x 0.96" (24.4mm) [D]
- Weight
- About 13.75oz (390g)
- Feature Enhancements
- Firmware upgrade supported (OTA)
- Operating Temperature
- 0℃ ~ + 40℃ (32℉~ 104℉)
- Audio Specifications
- Frequency Response
- Headphone Out
- ±0.006dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalanced │ ±0.004dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Balanced
- ±0.016dB (Condition: 20Hz~70kHz) Unbalanced │ ±0.020dB (Condition: 20Hz~70kHz) Balanced
- Pre-Out
- ±0.022dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalanced │ ±0.023dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Balanced
- ±0.023dB (Condition: 20Hz~70kHz) Unbalanced │ ±0.023dB (Condition: 20Hz~70kHz) Balanced
- Line Out
- ±0.002dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalanced │ ±0.002dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Balanced
- ±0.007dB (Condition: 20Hz~70kHz) Unbalanced │ ±0.006dB (Condition: 20Hz~70kHz) Balanced
- S/N
- Headphone Out
- 115dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ 119dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
- Pre-Out
- 110dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ 126dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
- Line Out
- 110dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ 125dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
- Crosstalk
- Headphone Out
- -134dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ -140dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
- Pre-Out
- -128dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ -128dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
- Line Out
- -129dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ -121dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
- THD+N
- Headphone Out
- 0.0004% @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ 0.0004% @ 1kHz, Balanced
- Pre-Out
- 0.0012% @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ 0.0005% @ 1kHz, Balanced
- Line Out
- 0.0013% @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ 0.0005% @ 1kHz, Balanced
- IMD SMPTE
- Headphone Out
- 0.0006% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) Unbalanced │ 0.0006% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) Balanced
- Pre-Out
- 0.0006% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) Unbalanced │ 0.0006% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) Balanced
- Line Out
- 0.0006% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) Unbalanced │ 0.0006% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) Balanced
- Output Impedance
- Headphone Out
- Unbalanced Out 3.5mm (1ohm) │ Balanced Out 4.4mm (1.3ohm)
- Pre-Out
- Unbalanced Out 3.5mm (3.5ohm) │ Balanced Out 4.4mm (5.7ohm)
- Line Out
- Unbalanced Out 3.5mm (6.5ohm) │ Balanced Out 4.4mm (ohm)
- Clock Source
- Clock Jitter
- 25ps (Typ)
- Reference Clock Jitter
- 200 Femto Seconds
- Storage Capacity
- Built-In Memory
- 128GB [NAND]
- External Memory
- microSD x 1 (Max. 1TB)
- Battery
- Capacity
- 8,400mAh 3.8V Li-Polymer
- Charge Time
- About 4.5 hours (9V 1.67A Fast Charging) | 6.5 hours (5V 2A General Charging)
- Playback Time
- About 11 hours (Standard: FLAC, 16-bit, 44.1kHz, Vol. 50, LCD Off, LED On, Low Gain)
- Supported OS
- Windows 8, 10, 11 (32/64bit); MAC OS X 10.7