Name: Astell&Kern KANN Max | Powerhouse Digital Audio Player
Brand: Astell&Kern
SKU: KANNMAX
Price: 1099.0 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

Astell&Kern Kann Max (x3) Gray and Mud editions

Astell&Kern Kann Max Gray front 3 quarter over white background

Astell&Kern Kann Max (x2) Gray edition front and rear

Astell&Kern Kann Max Gray front over white background

Astell&Kern Kann Max Gray rear over white background

Astell&Kern Kann Max Gray top highlighting connections over white background

Astell&Kern Kann Max Gray side 3 quarter over white background

Astell&Kern Kann Max (x2) Mud edition front and rear

Astell&Kern Kann Max Mud front over white background

Astell&Kern Kann Max Mud rear over white background

Astell&Kern Kann Max Mud front 3 quarter over white background

Astell&Kern Kann Max Mud rear 3 quarter over white background

Astell&Kern Kann Max Mud rear top 3 quarter over white background

$1,299.00 $1,099.00 Save 15%

Color

Grey

Mud

Improved Power, Sound, and Usability Synergize in A&K's KANN Max Digital Audio Player

Powerhouse DAP with 15Vrms of output power
Quad ESS ES9038Q2M DACs
Aluminum body, 4.1” 720 x 1280 touch screen, SE 3.5mm and Balanced 2.5mm + 4.4mm outputs
Improves on the form factor, power, sound, and usability of previous generation KANN players

Bloom's Take

KANN Max is a clear step forward in the evolution of Astell&Kern’s KANN series, and one of the best, most versatile DAPs in its price range. The build and sound quality alone could be worth the price of admission, but its class leading versatility, with the ability to drive just about anything from sensitive IEMs to planar magnetic headphones sets KANN Max apart.

We pitted it against the equally excellent iBasso DX320 for you to decide which DAP comes out on top. Read the full review here.

Ultra-high Output in a Smaller Footprint

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, previously only possible with a stationary headphone amplifier.

KANN Series Player Comparison

Astell&Kern KANN series comparison chart

Perfect Circuit Design

KANN MAX is equipped with ultra-high output and does not allow any noise delivering the original sound without compromise as it should be. It applies an analog volume controller to deliver a rich dynamic range without loss. By separately configuring the power supply IC for each Audio Block, each IC is stably supplied its required power. Through this design, the interference ripple noise (amplified noise) of the DC-DC power supply is minimized.

Astell&Kern Kann Max battery circuit diagram

Quad-DAC Overwhelming Sound

KANN MAX is the first player in the KANN series to be equipped with 4 ES9038Q2M DACs for high-output performance. By applying Quad DACs, one can be fully allocated to one channel, allowing full expression of sound depth and realism. Combined with A&K's amp circuit technology and the DAC's perfect decoding ability, music output is expressed purely without distortion.

Astell&Kern Kann Max Quad DAC block diagram

BT Sink

The newly introduced BT Sink function connects the KANN MAX to an external device via Bluetooth, similar to connecting a smartphone with a BT speaker. Music from an external device, such as a smartphone can now be played back in high-quality on the KANN MAX.

Astell&Kern BT Sink diagram

ReplayGain Volume Control

Enjoy your own playlists seamlessly through the ReplayGain feature, the ability to adjust sound sources with different volumes to an identical level.

Astell&Kern Kann Max screenshot of ReplayGain feature

*ReplayGain supports up to 24-bit/192kHz sound sources.

AK File Drop

Using the new AK File Drop, you can freely transfer files wirelessly through a PC, smartphone, or FTP program located on the same network.

Astell&Kern File Drop diagram of PC to DAP transfer

LED Head's Up

KANN MAX features a LED volume wheel which indicates playback volume level and current track bit-rate.

Astell&Kern Kann Max LED color indicator diagram

Specifications

Body Color: Anthracite Gray, Mud
Body Material: Aluminum
Display: 4.1”, 720 x 1280 touch
Supported Formats: WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DIFF, DSF, MQA
Sample Rate
PCM: 8kHz ~ 768kHz (8/16/24/32-bits per Sample)
DSD Native: DSD64 (1-bit, 2.8MHz) | DSD128 (1-bit, 5.6MHz) | DSD256 (1-bit, 11.2MHz) | DSD512 (1-bit, 22.4MHz)
Output Level (no load)
- Low: Unbalanced 2Vrms | Balanced 4Vrms
- Mid: Unbalanced 4Vrms | Balanced 8Vrms
- High: Unbalanced 6Vrms | Balanced 12Vrms
- Super: Unbalanced 8Vrms | Balanced 15Vrms
CPU: Quad-Core
DAC: ESS ES9038Q2M (x4)
Decoding: Support up to 32-Bit/768kHz Bit-to-Bit Playback
Input: USB-C (charging & data)
Outputs
- Unbalanced (3.5mm), Optical Out (3.5mm)
- Balanced: 2.5mm, 4.4mm (4-pole)
Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz)
Bluetooth: v5.0 (A2DP, AVRCP, Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, LDAC)
Dimensions: 2.7 x 4.6" x 0.92"
Weight: 10.76 oz
Firmware upgrade supported (OTA)
Operating Temp: 0℃ ~ + 40℃ (32℉~ 104℉)
Clock Jitter: 25ps (Typ)
Reference Clock Jitter: 70ps
Built-In Memory: 64GB NAND
External Memory: microSD x1 (Max. 1TB)
Supported OS: Windows 7, 8, 10 (32/64bit); MAC OS X 10.7
Kann Max User Manual
Astell&Kern 1 Year Warranty

Battery

Capacity: 5600mAh 3.8V Li-Polymer
Charge Time: about 3.5 hours (9V 1.67A Fast Charging) | 5.5 hours (5V 2A General Charging)
Playback: About 13 hours (Standard: FLAC, 16-bit, 44.1kHz, UNBAL, Vol. 40, LCD Off, LED On, Low Gain)

Audio Specifications (Low Gain)

Frequency Response
- ±0.023dB (20Hz~20kHz) UNBAL
- ±0.026dB (20Hz~20kHz) BAL
- ±0.035dB (20Hz~70kHz) UNBAL
- ±0.072dB (20Hz~70kHz) BAL
SNR: 114dB @ 1kHz, UNBAL | 115dB @ 1kHz, BAL
Crosstalk: -124dB @ 1kHz, UNBAL │ -135dB @ 1kHz, BAL
THD+N: 0.0003% @ 1kHz, UNBAL │ 0.0004% @ 1kHz, BAL
IMD SMPTE: 0.0007% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) UNBAL │ 0.0007% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) BAL
Output Impedance
- UNBAL 3.5mm: 1Ω
- BAL 2.5mm & 4.4mm: 1.6Ω

Astell&Kern Kann Max package and accessories

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A&K Kann Max - the perfect DAP for me.

I needed a player to drive a variety of headphones, from IEM’s to Audeze and Maze over-ears. I used Astell & Kern players years ago before moving to iBasso and Fiio in order to use Tidal and Qobuz (both online and offline) as well as my stored library. After I had these players stolen, I decided to get the A&K Kann Max as an upgrade. I’m pleased to report that it is certainly that. The music services work great including offline storage (something that was difficult to confirm in advance before talking to the excellent Bloom tech support team), the player is powerful enough to easily drive any of my headphones and the sound is great. I love coming back to the sheer quality of A&K and to cap it off, the Eq works on both the inbuilt library and on music servies, something that isn’t true for the iBasso and Fiio players. The size and weight are also good, making this the perfect DAP for me. Don’t forget to get a case though, as the edges are sharp and beautiful….

Kann Max Max your ears

Having chased a sound that I enjoy bought this sublime little powerhouse, then paired it with a set of Hifiman Stealth and a 4.4mm balanced cable ( yes I was sceptical but honestly it makes a big difference in a good way) now I'm one really happy guy.

Astell&Kern KANN Max | Powerhouse Digital Audio Player