Astell&Kern KANN MAX is a portable Hi-Fi player with high output power, support for Hi-Res Audio Wireless and MQA.
Features:
- 4 levels of gain
- Output power up to 15 Vrms
- 4 ESS ES9038Q2M Quad-DAC chips
- TERATON ALPHA technology
- Support for 32-bit / 768 kHz, DSD512 and MQA x8
- aptX-HD and LDAC codecs
- AK File Drop file transfer function and BT Sync wireless receiver mode
- 4.1" 1280 x 720p display
- Up to 13 hours of battery life + fast charging function
Powerful and sophisticated
The KANN series is a line of portable players known to audiophiles worldwide for their high performance and clean sound. KANN MAX, the fourth product in the KANN series, builds on the strengths of the KANN series with even higher performance and mobility.
The well-established design of the KANN series has become even lighter and more compact. The manufacturer has achieved higher performance and low noise levels. KANN MAX is equipped with a quad-core ESS ES9038Q2M DAC in combination with Astell&Kern's unique audio technology, providing you with the best performance you can get from a portable player.
Ultra-high performance in a smaller device
The KANN MAX takes the popular series to a new level, delivering perfect sound with high power and clean audio. It provides 4 levels of amplification and an ultra-high output power of up to 15 Vrms, which was previously only possible with a stationary headphone amplifier.
KANN MAX can handle even the most demanding high impedance headphones with ease. Despite its smaller size and weight, KANN MAX surpasses the KANN ALPHA in terms of portability, which was previously considered the most portable player in the existing KANN series.
Despite the smaller size, all power-related components have been enhanced, and the power circuit has been redesigned multiple times to provide 13 hours of continuous playback.
Updated circuitry providing both ultra-high performance and low noise level
As the output power increases, so does the level of noise. KANN MAX is equipped with ultra-high output power and does not allow any noise. The device embodies the Astell&Kern philosophy of delivering the original sound as it should be, without compromises.
KANN MAX uses an analog volume controller to ensure a rich dynamic range without any loss. By individually adjusting the power supply chip for each audio block, divided into digital, amplifier, and volume control, KANN MAX provides stable power delivery required for each audio block. This design eliminates the pulsating noise of the DC power source. Analog noise, which can be heard when increasing the volume while operating the operational amplifiers, is minimized.
The combination of ultra-high output power and low noise level in KANN MAX was achieved through a new circuit design, including the development and division of the same-sized printed circuit board as KANN ALPHA into 12 layers and a revision of the physical dimensions of the amplifier circuitry.
The KANN MAX is the first player in the KANN series to be equipped with four ES9038Q2M chips, providing ultra-high performance. By using four-channel DAC, one DAC can be dedicated to one channel, allowing the depth and realism of the sound source to be fully expressed.
Combined with Astell&Kern's amplifier circuit technology, which naturally and delicately enhances DAC performance, decoding and delivering the original sound as it is. The four ESS chips used in the KANN MAX, as well as the power supply chip, tuned for each audio block, and the ideal amplification circuitry, provide extremely high output power with low noise levels, ensuring the best performance and sound that the KANN series is known for.
Gold-plated output connectors
To minimize contact noise from the output connectors, the headphone jack features a gold PVD coating instead of the common metal rings used in other products. This improves both the design and functionality.
Support for 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512
Bit-perfect playback is available in PCM format up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD playback up to 22.4MHz (DSD512), ensuring uncompressed sound quality that remains true to the original intention of the artist, with high resolution and minimal distortion.
TERATON ALPHA Technology
TERATON ALPHA is the perfect audio solution for reproducing sound close to the original source through the audio output interface, thanks to effective noise removal, power management, and amplification with minimal distortion. It utilizes Astell&Kern's patented technologies, which are the result of tens of thousands of hours of continuous research and development to achieve sound that is close to the original sound envisioned by musicians and producers.
Powerful Wireless Interfaces
The fifth generation Bluetooth provides high-quality sound with the convenience of wireless playback on headphones. Bluetooth 5.0 offers high transmission speed, greater range, and more stable wireless connectivity compared to Bluetooth 4.2. LDAC and aptX HD air support ensures the best wireless sound in Hi-Res Audio Wireless format for audiophiles.
BT Sync Function
The recently introduced BT Sync function connects KANN MAX to an external device via Bluetooth, similar to connecting a smartphone to a speaker. Music from an external device, such as a smartphone, can now be played in high quality on KANN MAX using the BT Sync function.
Transfer files with AK File Drop
The new feature of file deletion in KANN MAX makes file transfer easier and more convenient. Using AK File Drop, you can freely transfer files wirelessly through a PC, smartphone, or FTP program located in the same network. Managing music files is now possible with a cable-free Wi-Fi solution.
Real-time lighting information
KANN MAX is equipped with LED lighting around the volume control wheel, which displays various playback information, including volume level and the currently played track's bitrate.
Package includes:
- player
- documentation