{"id":2352,"date":"2020-09-12T20:12:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-12T12:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/avprogear.com\/?p=2352"},"modified":"2020-11-27T03:15:43","modified_gmt":"2020-11-26T19:15:43","slug":"astellkern-kann-alpha-digital-audio-player-released","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/avprogear.com\/astellkern-kann-alpha-digital-audio-player-released\/","title":{"rendered":"Astell&Kern KANN ALPHA “Power House” Digital Audio Player Released"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Astell&Kern<\/strong> announces the third generation of their KANN digital audio player lineup – meet the Astell&Kern KANN ALPHA<\/strong>. Just like its predecessors the KANN<\/a> and KANN CUBE<\/a>, the Alpha is also a powerhouse DAP; “The Power House”<\/em><\/strong> DAP. It features a dual ESS Sabre ES9068AS DAC chips, quad-core CPU, and has both 2.5mm and 4.4mm (Pentaconn) balanced outputs. I think the 4.4mm balanced output is what makes this DAP exciting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"Astell&Kern<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

UPDATE: Astell&Kern KANN Alpha now also available on Amazon.com here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Astell&Kern KANN ALPHA DAP – “The Power House”<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Astell&Kern’s KANN series is known to be a powerhouse DAP. And the third generation KANN ALPHA is no exception to that. What the KANN Alpha offers aside from a powerful output is a cleaner and cleaner signal, via the 2.5mm or 4.4mm balanced outputs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both the 2.5mm and 4.4mm balanced output on the KANN Alpha is capable of 12Vrms. That’s basically similar to the previous KANN Cube. In fact, the output levels of the KANN Alpha and KANN Cube are similar. The only difference is, the KANN Alpha has a 4.4mm balanced output. And I think most audiophiles would prefer the 4.4mm Pentaconn on the Alpha rather than the 5pin mini XLR on the Cube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"AK-KANN-Alpha-output-ports\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another new feature than the KANN Alpha brings on the table is Bluetooth 5.0. Now, BT 5.0 isn’t new, many DAPs and other mobile devices are already using it. But believe it or not, it’s the first for Astell&Kern. 24-bit audio wireless playback wirelessly is provided by both LDAC and aptX HD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to that, the KANN Alpha offers improved battery life over its predecessor. We can expect up to 14.5 hours of continuous playback with the Alpha. Of course, actual battery life could be lesser depending on how you use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n