{"product_id":"astell-kern-kann-max-digital-audio-player","title":"Astell\u0026Kern KANN MAX Digital Audio Player","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Astell\u0026amp;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\u0026amp;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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/AKKANNMAX_1000x430_05d36827-ba7c-4673-8a27-25dbe9006687.jpg?v=1767174384\" alt=\"Astell\u0026amp;Kern KANN MAX digital audio player\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUltra-high output in a smaller player\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKANN 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\u0026amp;Kern analysed every power-related component and redesigned the power circuit several times to reach 13 hours of continuous playback.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGain\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUnbalanced · balanced (no load)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSuper\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8Vrms · 15Vrms (KANN MAX only)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHigh\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6Vrms · 12Vrms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMid\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4Vrms · 8Vrms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLow\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2Vrms · 4Vrms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHigh output with low noise\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs output rises, so does noise, and Astell\u0026amp;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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/astell-kern-kann-max-digital-audio-player-photo-power-blocks.jpg?v=1791402878\" alt=\"Separate power supplies for the DAC, volume and amplifier blocks of the Astell\u0026amp;Kern KANN MAX\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuad DAC\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKANN 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\u0026amp;Kern’s amplifier circuit, which brings out the DAC’s strengths naturally, the music comes through as the original sound, without distortion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/astell-kern-kann-max-digital-audio-player-photo-quad-dac.jpg?v=1791402882\" alt=\"Quad DAC audio block diagram of the Astell\u0026amp;Kern KANN MAX\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo minimise contact noise, the headphone jacks are coated with gold by PVD instead of using the usual rings, which also improves the look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/AKKANNMAX_800x468_a877fcbe-a5d1-4c1a-bb1f-4ac87c30ef54.jpg?v=1767174387\" alt=\"Gold PVD-coated 2.5mm, 4.4mm and 3.5mm outputs of the Astell\u0026amp;Kern KANN MAX\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTERATON ALPHA and hi-res playback\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTERATON ALPHA is Astell\u0026amp;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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/astell-kern-kann-max-digital-audio-player-photo-teraton.jpg?v=1791402886\" alt=\"TERATON ALPHA sound solution in the Astell\u0026amp;Kern KANN MAX\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWireless and convenience\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBluetooth 5.0\u003c\/strong\u003e with LDAC and aptX HD, for a faster, longer-range and more stable wireless connection than Bluetooth 4.2.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBT Sink:\u003c\/strong\u003e play music from a phone through the KANN MAX over Bluetooth, as you would to a Bluetooth speaker.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReplayGain\u003c\/strong\u003e evens out the volume across tracks (up to 24-bit\/192kHz files).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAK File Drop\u003c\/strong\u003e transfers files wirelessly from a PC, phone or FTP program on the same network.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLED volume wheel\u003c\/strong\u003e shows the volume and the bit depth of the track (16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit, DSD or MQA), and can be switched off.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDesign\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAstell\u0026amp;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\u0026amp;Kern signature colour, or a limited-edition Brown Mud.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/astell-kern-kann-max-digital-audio-player-photo-design.jpg?v=1791402891\" alt=\"Hairline-finished aluminium body of the Astell\u0026amp;Kern KANN MAX\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/AKKANNMAX_1000x428_2ae3b44d-bcd9-4a8f-a61f-3c1208ae3eed.jpg?v=1767174391\" alt=\"Astell\u0026amp;Kern KANN MAX in Anthracite Gray and Brown Mud\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDAC\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 × ESS ES9038Q2M · quad-core CPU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFormats\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF, MQA · PCM 8kHz–768kHz (up to 32-bit) · native DSD64–DSD512\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOutputs\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3.5mm unbalanced and optical · 2.5mm balanced (4-pole) · 4.4mm balanced (5-pole)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOutput level\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 8Vrms unbalanced · 15Vrms balanced (super gain, no load)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFrequency response\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e±0.023dB unbalanced · ±0.026dB balanced (20Hz–20kHz)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eS\/N · crosstalk\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e114dB · −124dB unbalanced; 115dB · −135dB balanced (1kHz)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTHD+N · IMD\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.0003% unbalanced · 0.0004% balanced · IMD SMPTE 0.0007%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOutput impedance\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1Ω (3.5mm) · 1.6Ω (2.5mm and 4.4mm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eClock jitter\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25ps typical · reference 70ps\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWireless\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWi-Fi 802.11 b\/g\/n (2.4GHz) · Bluetooth 5.0 (A2DP, AVRCP, aptX HD, LDAC)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eScreen and storage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.1-inch 720 × 1280 touch screen · 64GB · microSD up to 1TB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBattery\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5,600mAh · about 13 hours · charge about 3.5 hours (9V fast) or 5.5 hours (5V 2A)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSize and weight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e68.3 × 117 × 23.6mm (W × H × D) · about 305g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGood to know\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUSB-C charges the player and connects it to a Windows or Mac computer. Firmware updates over the air.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColours: Anthracite Gray or Brown Mud (limited edition).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is an order-on-demand item and may take longer than our usual 2–4 working days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn the box: KANN MAX, USB-C to USB-A cable (1m), three screen protectors and a quick start guide.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe newer, more powerful model is the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/astell-kern-kann-ultra-digital-audio-player\"\u003eKANN Ultra\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/astell-kern-kann-max-digital-audio-player-photo-lifestyle.jpg?v=1791402896\" alt=\"Astell\u0026amp;Kern KANN MAX\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Astell \u0026 Kern","offers":[{"title":"BROWN","offer_id":57115998159235,"sku":"AKKANNMAX-BROWN","price":1199.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GREY","offer_id":57115998192003,"sku":"AKKANNMAX-GRAY","price":1199.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/img_proxy_1578ad89-9e8d-4180-9210-cd5b54b4c8ab.jpg?v=1767174408","url":"https:\/\/www.advancedmp3players.co.uk\/products\/astell-kern-kann-max-digital-audio-player","provider":"amp3","version":"1.0","type":"link"}