Astell & Kern KANN MAX Hi-Res Portable Audio Player Mud

Key Features

• 4-Step Gain Level with Up to 15 Vrms Out
• Quad Sabre ESS ES9038Q2M DACs
• 2.5, 4.4, and 3.5mm Outputs
• 32-Bit/768 kHz + Native DSD512 Playback
• Up to 13 Hours of Playback
• HD Touchscreen
• Multi-Color LED Volume Wheel
• Bluetooth 5.0 and 24-Bit Codec Support
• ReplayGain for Consistent Audio Levels
• BT Sink & AK File Drop Wireless Transfer

Engineered to Powerful Perfection

The KANN series is a portable player lineup loved by audiophiles all over
the world for its performance focused on high output and clear sound. KANN
MAX , the fourth product in the KANN series, builds on the advantages of
the KANN series with higher output and portability. It provides 4 levels
of gain and up to 15Vrms output so that a wide array of headphones can be
driven in an optimal state.

By integrating the proven design of the KANN series into a lighter weight
and smaller sized player, we have realized both ultra-high output and low
noise. KANN MAX features ESS ES9038Q2M Quad-DAC together with Astell
&Kern’s unique audio technology to provide the best performance you can feel
from a portable DAP.

Ultra-High Output in a Smaller Size Device

KANN MAX takes the identity of the series to the next level to provide a
perfect experience with high power and clear sound. It provides 4 stages of
gain level and ultra-high output of up to 15Vrms, which was previously only
possible with a stationary headphone amplifier.

KANN MAX can perfectly drive even the most sophisticated headphones with
high impedance. KANN MAX offers a smaller size and weight than the KANN
APLHA player, which boasted the best portability in the existing KANN
series.

Although smaller in size, all power-related components have been analyzed and
the power circuit has been redesigned several times to achieve 13 hours of
continuous playback.

Perfect Circuit Design That Achieves Both Ultra-High Output and Low Noise

As the output increases, so does the noise level. KANN MAX is equipped
with ultra-high output, does not allow any noise and conveys Astell
&Kern’s philosophy of delivering the original sound as it should be, without
compromise. Together, we have completed the perfect circuit design to achieve
this.

KANN MAX applies an analog volume controller to deliver a rich dynamic
range without loss. By separately configuring the power supply IC for each
Audio Block divided into DAC, Volume, and AMP, KANN MAX is designed to
stably supply the power required for each Audio IC. Through this design, the
interference ripple noise of the DC-DC power supply (the shaking noise
phenomenon that occurs when power is supplied) is removed. Audio noise that
can be heard amplified like audio sound in OP AMP is minimized.

Ultra-high output and low noise in the KANN MAX was achieved through
different circuit design, including creating and dividing a limited PCB that
is the same size as KANN ALPHA into 12 layers and reviewing the physical
size of the device applied to the AMP circuit.