Astell&Kern KANN MAX Digital Audio Player

The Astell&Kern KANN MAX is the fourth player in the KANN series, the line audiophiles love for high output and clear sound, and it is smaller, lighter and more powerful than the KANN ALPHA. Four ESS ES9038Q2M DACs feed an amplifier with four gain levels and up to 15Vrms balanced, an output Astell&Kern says was previously only possible from a desktop headphone amplifier, so it drives even demanding high-impedance headphones. It plays up to 32-bit/768kHz bit-to-bit and native DSD512, and runs for about 13 hours.

Ultra-high output in a smaller player

KANN MAX takes the series to the next level: 15Vrms balanced and 8Vrms unbalanced at super gain, in a body smaller and lighter than the KANN ALPHA, the most portable KANN until then. Astell&Kern analysed every power-related component and redesigned the power circuit several times to reach 13 hours of continuous playback.

High output with low noise

As output rises, so does noise, and Astell&Kern wanted the original sound without compromise. KANN MAX uses an analogue volume control for a rich dynamic range without loss. The audio circuit is split into DAC, volume and amplifier blocks, each with its own power supply IC, so each gets stable power and the ripple noise of the DC-DC supply is removed, minimising noise that an op-amp would otherwise amplify. To fit it all in, the PCB, the same size as the KANN ALPHA’s, is divided into 12 layers, and the physical size of the amplifier parts was reviewed.

Quad DAC

KANN MAX is the first KANN with four ES9038Q2M DACs. With quad DACs, a DAC can be allocated entirely to a channel, expressing the depth and realism of the recording to the full. Combined with Astell&Kern’s amplifier circuit, which brings out the DAC’s strengths naturally, the music comes through as the original sound, without distortion.

To minimise contact noise, the headphone jacks are coated with gold by PVD instead of using the usual rings, which also improves the look.

TERATON ALPHA and hi-res playback

TERATON ALPHA is Astell&Kern’s own sound solution, built on its patented technologies from tens of thousands of hours of research: effective power-noise removal, efficient power management and amplification with minimal distortion, for playback close to the original sound. PCM plays bit-to-bit up to 32-bit/768kHz, and DSD natively up to 22.4MHz (DSD512). KANN MAX also plays MQA files and streams.

Wireless and convenience

• Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC and aptX HD, for a faster, longer-range and more stable wireless connection than Bluetooth 4.2.
• BT Sink: play music from a phone through the KANN MAX over Bluetooth, as you would to a Bluetooth speaker.
• ReplayGain evens out the volume across tracks (up to 24-bit/192kHz files).
• AK File Drop transfers files wirelessly from a PC, phone or FTP program on the same network.
• LED volume wheel shows the volume and the bit depth of the track (16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit, DSD or MQA), and can be switched off.

Design

Astell&Kern designed the KANN MAX like a high-performance sports car, slimmer than the heavier, off-road look of earlier KANNs. A hexagonal top line narrows sharply from bottom to top, hairline brushing on the back suggests speed, and the protector around the volume wheel is shaped like an engine. The body is aluminium, in Anthracite Gray, the Astell&Kern signature colour, or a limited-edition Brown Mud.

Good to know

• USB-C charges the player and connects it to a Windows or Mac computer. Firmware updates over the air.
• Colours: Anthracite Gray or Brown Mud (limited edition).
• This is an order-on-demand item and may take longer than our usual 2–4 working days.
• In the box: KANN MAX, USB-C to USB-A cable (1m), three screen protectors and a quick start guide.
• The newer, more powerful model is the KANN Ultra.