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- Astell&Kern Kann Ultra
Astell&Kern Kann Ultra
Triple Output Flagship Digital Audio Player
- Triple Output Mode with separate circuit designs
- HEADPHONE OUT / PRE-OUT / LINE OUT options
- Next-generation Octa-Core processors
- 4 preset gain settings up to 16Vrms
- ES9039MPRO Dual DACs
- Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) technology
- Playback up to 32bit/768kHz, Native DSD512
- Astell&Kern's TERATON ALPHA technology
- 8,400 mAh battery (up to 11 hours playback)
VAT Included for UK Customers.
For international customers, VAT is already removed from the displayed price. International Customers will incur local import taxes and duty charges.
VAT and Import Taxes FAQ-
Estimated Delivery:Jan 01 - Jan 05
Astell&Kern Kann Ultra
Fueling Your Sound
The KANN series is adored by audiophiles all over the world for its performance that focuses on ultra-high output and clear sound.
KANN ULTRA, the 5th product in the KANN series, continues the success of the KANN series by providing the highest output of any Astell&Kern player, the inclusion of Triple Output Sound, and an optimized processor and UI/UX to make it even easier to enjoy clear sound performance.
With four Gain Modes that provides up to 16Vrms of desktop Hi-Fi level output and sound, and ES9039MPRO Dual DAC chips, KANN ULTRA perfectly powers many of today's headphones with high resolution. A separate Pre/Line Out allow users to enjoy the sound with a variety of different devices.
Triple Output, Triple Sound
2. PRE-OUT
Select Pre-Out mode on the Pre/Line Out port to output sound to an external amplifier or audio device.
[ Pre-out ]
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.
[ Line out ]
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.
* Do not activate the Line Out mode while earphones or headphones are connected to the PRE·LINE OUT port. Doing so may cause permanent hearing loss.
4 Gain Levels And Outputs Up to 16Vrms for The Perfect Head-Fi
To run the most sophisticated IEMs and headphones, a DAP needs to be able to fully deliver an output that matches the characteristics of the receiver.
KANN ULTRA features 4 preset gain settings up to 16Vrms, the most powerful output of any Astell&Kern player,to optimally run the many IEMs and headphones available today.
The current-handling capability of the output port has been increased to reliably run devices of different impedances at the gain Level setting,and the AMPs have been separated into Balanced and Unbalanced to optimize currents and reduce noise for the best possible sound.
On top of providing the most powerful output, KANN ULTRA features a larger5.5-inch screen and improved grip compared to KANN CUBE, which was popularfor its high output versatility. Weight of the KANN ULTRA has been significantly reduced to 390 grams.
TERATON ALPHA, The Essence of A&K Audio Technologies
From an ultra-high output that can run even the most delicate headphones, to the Triple Output design, and the complex amplifier design with minimal noise in a compact portable audio player, this would all not have been possible without AK's Ultimate Sound Solution, TERATON ALPHA. Astell&Kern has taken the TERATON ALPHA to the next level with its know-how in noise reduction at ultra-high power, acquired from its predecessors such as the KANN MAX and the CA1000 series.
Upgraded Sound, the Newest ESS Flagship DAC
The KANN ULTRA is designed with dual ES9039MPRO DACs, the newest flagship DAC from ESS, to deliver richer and more expansive sounds that exceed your expectations.
The ES9039MPRO is an updated ES9039PRO model that has a built-in stereo hardware MQA renderer. It has even more advanced modulation than the existing flagship DAC to reduce power consumption, noise and distortions inside the DAC for enhanced audio performance.
Astell&Kern has redesigned the AMP BLOCK to ensure that the clear, high-resolution sound of the ES9039MPRO is clearly expressed through every port of the Triple Output, and each output's characteristics show its own advanced performance.
KANN ULTRA features a Crimson-themed UI/UX for the first time in the KANN series, making it a "Player for Music" that leaves an impressionin the process and experience of listening to music.
The Crimson UX/UI is designed so that users can quickly browse music categories and re-discover songs within their music library.
We also added an easy album art search function so that users can re-discover the joy of viewing and interacting with music album art whilst listening to their music.
The crimson theme focuses on edge, simplicity, and dark mode keywords.
The color theme of black with red highlights lowers visual fatigue and offers intuitive user experiences, and includes many other improvementsto the device’s user-friendliness of streaming app services, artist view, album sorting, and album art search function.
Immerse yourself in music with Crimson UX/UI.
Sound Design 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.
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Minimum phase (Default)
Low latency, Minimal pre ringing and low passband ripple
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Linear Phase Apodizing
Full Image rejection by FS/2 to avoid any aliasing, with smooth roll-off starting before 20k
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Linear Phase Fast Roll-Off
Most Common filter with clean suppression and high rejection, best for music with high transients. Provides crisp clean highs
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Linear Phase Slow Roll-Off
Low group delay and symmetrical inputs response. Less ringing then Linear phase fast roll off. Punchier bass than LPFR, with clean highs
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Minimum Phase Fast Roll-Off
Minimal Pre Ringing, preferred for Imaging and soundstage. No aliasing in frequency domain. Stronger bass than Linear Phase, clean highs
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Minimum Phase Slow Roll-Off
Non Symetrical filter designed to minimize pre ringing. Strong punchy bass with good transient attacks
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Minimum Phase Slow Roll-Off Low Dispersion
Provides a nice balance of the low latency of Minimum phase filters and the Low Dispersion of Linear Phase filters. Minimal pre-ringing is added to achieve the low dispersion in the audio band
Digital Audio Remaster Technology for Even More Vivid Original Sound
The KANN ULTRA is equipped with Digital Audio Remaster(DAR) technology, which was developed to deliver fine sound at higher sample rates.
DAR technology is developed to upsample the sample rate of the sound source being played to go beyond the limits of the source format.
The high sample rate allows more refined playback and offers delicate and analog-like original sound, helping you to enjoy the richness of the original sound,subtle differences in the nuance of the music and full-bodied sounds at a higher level.
DESIGN
The design concept of KANN ULTRA is "Forceful Impact".
The design is an over-scaled volume wheel knob that has been slammed and embedded into the body of the KANN to visually represent its more powerful performance than its predecessor. With the KANN ULTRA, we continued the design identity of the KANN series, which emphasizes the hexagonal columnar body while still keeping it visible.
We minimized the visible parting lines and designed the wheel protectors so that the outer edge of the body where the volume wheel sits naturally acts as a protector and improves usability. These elements emphasize the bold mass of the KANN ULTRA, representing primal power through a solid chunk of metal.
Specifications
General
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Astro Gray
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Aluminum
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5.5”, 1080 x 1920 touch
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Octa-Core
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ESS ES9039MPRO x2
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5.5" x 3.2" x 0.9"
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13.8 oz
Audio Formats & Sample Rates
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WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DIFF, DSF, MQA
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8kHz ~ 768kHz (8/16/24/32-bits per Sample)
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DSD64 (2.8MHz) | DSD128 (5.6MHz) | DSD256 (11.2MHz) | DSD512 (22.4MHz)
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Support up to 32-Bit/768kHz Bit-to-Bit Playback
Connectivity
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USB-C (charging & data)
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3.5mm, Balanced 4.4mm (5-pole only)
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3.5mm (+ Optical Out), Balanced 4.4mm (5-pole only)
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802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz)
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v5.3 (A2DP, AVRCP, Qualcomm® aptX™-HD, LDAC)
Power & Battery
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8400mAh 3.8V Li-Polymer
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About 4.5 hours (Fast) | 6.5 hours (Std)
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About 11.5 hours (FLAC, 16-bit, 44.1kHz)
Audio Performance
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115dB @ 1kHz, UNBAL | 119dB @ 1kHz, BAL
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-134dB @ 1kHz, UNBAL │ -140dB @ 1kHz, BAL
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0.0004% @ 1kHz
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Headphone: 3.5mm, 1Ω │ 4.4mm BAL 1.3Ω
Additional Features
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128GB NAND
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microSD x1 (Max. 1TB)
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Windows 8,10,11 | MAC OS X 10.7+
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Astell&Kern 1 Year Warranty