Astell&Kern Kann Alpha Digital Audio Player Review. Plus behind-the-scenes images and Buyer's Guide.

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Astell&Kern Kann Alpha Digital Audio Player Review. Plus behind-the-scenes images and Buyer's Guide.

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The Audiophile Man

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 55

@SliderLe 3 жыл бұрын

I replaced my headphone cable with a balanced 4.4mm cable as you recommended and was shocked at the improvement. Not a subtle change. Nobody should own the Kann Alpha without taking advantage of the balanced 4.4 output. I purchased the Black Dragon 4.4mm cable for my Focal Stellia headphones. I am so grateful and fortunate to have run across your review. Thank you!

@pinkyfloydyfan1 2 жыл бұрын

Kann Alpha is really a great player. I got it for 4 months now and i love it!

@soulvibe3284 2 жыл бұрын

Just got mine today and already in love.

@TheAudiophileMan 2 жыл бұрын

Awwww ;)

@robertnoblitt518 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for a comprehensive review of the KANN Alpha. I thoroughly enjoy mine, which I bought to replace my Sony NW-WM1A. I find the KANN Alpha to be significantly more refined-sounding than the Sony. I mainly use my 64 Audio U12t IEMs, along with a Moon Audio Bronze Dragon cable with a 4.4mm plug. The combination of the 64 Audio U12t with the KANN Alpha is superb sounding, and the player fits nicely in my shirt pocket as I walk my neighborhood.

@abrahanneyra1657 3 жыл бұрын

Hello, did You tried wm1a firmware mod? I have wm1a too and looking for upgrading, i was thinking of Alpha and Ibasso dx300

@robertnoblitt518 3 жыл бұрын

@@abrahanneyra1657 My Sony has the current firmware if that's what you meant. The a&k kann alpha has a big advantage in sound quality over the Sony.

@abrahanneyra1657 3 жыл бұрын

@@robertnoblitt518 thanks Mr, the fear I have with Ibasso is the word sibilance I read in some opinions, and since I use only over Ears like oppo pm3 and mdr-z7 i will go for the Alpha

@robertnoblitt518 3 жыл бұрын

@@abrahanneyra1657 The KANN Alpha also sounds amazing with my Meze Empyrean.

@mareknowakowski1692 3 жыл бұрын

My Kann Alpha was in a bundle with Kinera Nanna , great too!

@01010100001010101001 3 жыл бұрын

Looks similar to Onkyo DP-X1A I had that worked well for a year or so (light use) and then it stopped charging. Still looks nice and solid as a brick, but it can be used only as a brick. Astell&Kern Kann Alpha gives you 1 year warranty. Something to have in mind when spending 1k.

@youandwhosearmy6339 2 жыл бұрын

How much of an upgrade in audio quality would you say there is from the A&K SR25 (which I own, and think is pretty damned good) ? A lot of money to part with, if it's only for a minor upgrade in audio quality. Loved your video, and this is how I would like ALL reviews to be done. Subscribed.

@scubacrazy123 3 жыл бұрын

Totally agree with your assessment. I use Sennheiser HD660S with the 4.4mm balanced Pentaconn connection. By far the best combination for me. I also use a pair of FiiO Fh7 iems, when I’m out and about. I also connect it’s balanced cable with 4.4mm connection. A great combination.

@TheAudiophileMan 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gary and thanks for sharing your set up list.

@mikew9788 3 жыл бұрын

That's my setup, kann alpha and hd660s

@squirtmph 3 жыл бұрын

FiiO FH7 it's my target as well money & sound, what type cable & plug do you usé, he suggested 4.4mm. FiiO docen't come with these plug... Also is FiiO a good ear headphones for powerful device,?

@jeffreycasteldeoro 3 жыл бұрын

Is there a recommended gain setting on the Alpha for the 660s?

@mikew9788 3 жыл бұрын

@@jeffreycasteldeoro I use high gain the most and mid gain sometimes. I usually feel like high gain sounds the best but mid sounds great too. It's a tough decision, high gain sounds fuller with more impact and bass

@titntin5178 3 жыл бұрын

Nice looking unit and a well produced review, many thanks for this. If i were looking for something on the move Id be all over this as I appreciate the apparently rock solid build!

@humm6155 6 ай бұрын

I got one from canada, 340€. Still waiting to come 😊

@terencem881 2 жыл бұрын

I own the first Kann. Great sound. Very musical. May upgrade to this.

@Extremesam43 2 жыл бұрын

I'm using the Astell&Kern AK Jr. It is an elegant basic player that wants to introduce more people to high end audio. It is a quality device. Like it's big brothers, contains a decent DAC too. However, the RAM can't handle the larger song collections. Random mode tends to replay the same tracks. As long as you stay within It's abilities, is a beautiful sounding device with a lot of features. Sadly, no longer available.

@brianoneill3027 3 жыл бұрын

Looking forward to a review of the New Node dac/streamer/preamp from Bluesound…

@GDawg2K2 2 жыл бұрын

Sadly I bought a Kann Cube in 2019. By the mid point of 2021 it was especially dead. The screen started by freezing for hours on end then releasing for a while. By 2022 it had frozen giving the "Processor not working" warning that would allow OK or Wait to be punched over the frozen screen. If I had to guess, I'd say that something got cooked by the serious heat coming off the unit. Leaving it plugged in most of the time to drive balanced Senn 800s in my opinion exposes a non managed battery system. It seems problematic to have a fully charged battery going on months. The result from a plugged-in Kann on a desktop

@marsoblivi0n945 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. I'm wondering if there is any sound difference in this and the cube? I think the cube looks better. I own a onkyo dp-x1a atm and its great. But thinking of upgrading since i have power hungry planars.

@GDawg2K2 2 жыл бұрын

My very question. I have a Kann Cube that Froze. I believe to overheating via a unmanaged battery system. They recommend using the Cube plugged in for more power. And if it bring used on a night stand or desktop that's always plugged in. That means a 100% charged battery 24/7 for months or years. Thst's about the worst thing you can do to a battery. For instance. I fly DJI drones.. All their batteries have inboard cpu's to manage the bar and keep tract of the number of charges and preventing a 100% charged battery from sitting for long periods of time. After x number of hours the inboard CPU drains the battery down to 66%. At times the Cube was so hot, I was afraid of fire! So, I'm looking for a new brick to drive Senn 800s. No idea what..

@heroicmiquio6327 2 ай бұрын

Hello, which player (Astell & Kern SA700 vs Astell Kern Kann Alpha) has the better sound, i.e., bass, treble, voices, speech, the best package ebend. I would be very happy to receive a few tips. My best wishes and stay healthy Of course I subscribed to your channel and added a thumb to the top

@benjaminqilafku5714 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Paul very entertaining as ever even though I don't see the point of owning a device of this type anymore. The only feasible scenario of using the player is when you're on the move which is by far the ideal environment for music enjoyment due to the environmental pollution .In addition to add to your phone another hefty gear rattling in your pockets becomes a hassle. The best place should be home. Why bother when with the half of the money you may buy a very good amp dac combo or stand alone and likely have better sonics.

@amarcy5369 3 жыл бұрын

Hi paul I think we can all say you crammed a lot of useful information into your video . Do you think that these sort of devices are prone to quickly become out of date due to the rapid increase in technology that they contain . I guess they remind me of mobile phones in this respect. Best wishes and kind regards. 😀👍👍👍

@TheAudiophileMan 3 жыл бұрын

That can be an issue but sometimes the 'new' features that many DAPs include tend to be feature rarely used. As long as you've covered the basics then such a player can last a long time indeed.

@bobby666666 3 жыл бұрын

There are other players by the same company that cost more. Probably not something I would purchase as I do not do a lot of listening on the move. Interesting that the item has a maximum volume output. I suspect someone will come up with some software to change that, but would also then invalidate the guarantee.

@peterta9676 2 жыл бұрын

I just bough Kann alpha, the issues I have is the battery is short, I played 16bit flac with Hd660s the battery last max 10 hours. When I played dsd file, the player getting very hot in a short time. I want to return the item but the seller not accept retun.

@jamieokane989 2 жыл бұрын

Where would you think my B&W PX 7 headphones would fit in your experience; above, alongside or below the 4.4 mm balanced connection?

@jeffberger5773 2 жыл бұрын

I just ordered the kann alpha, I have focal clear headphones and a chord mojo, do you think the alpha will sound better than the mojo?

@tonyjedioftheforest1364 3 жыл бұрын

Can’t say I understand all of this as I am a Luddite when it comes to technology but I found it very interesting. I only use an iPhone 8 with AKG headphones to listen to my Apple Music. Can you recommend a budget Bluetooth receiver to use my iPhone with my hifi or maybe a receiver/transmitter so as to be able to use my wireless headphones playing my records and CD’s?

@trumpetmasta92 2 жыл бұрын

I hear the Fioo BTR 5 works well. A bluetooth amp and dac.

@user-do7tn6bd5k Жыл бұрын

Hi Can I ask you about Bluetooth Codec? I am using Astell & Kern DAP, which setting is better between LDAC - audio quality optimization and LDAC - connection quality optimization? Thanks in advance

@TheAudiophileMan Жыл бұрын

'Audio Quality' - as long as you don't experience drop outs. Otherwise go for 'Connection'.

@jorgeluisfernandez2560 2 жыл бұрын

Hi, can you use these dap for tidal offline? Or its only to use with WiFi? Thanks a lot

@mohamednadir5970 Жыл бұрын

I already have astell &kern sr 15 I like it but looking for more , do you think that kann alfa is a good upgrade to sr15?

@TheAudiophileMan Жыл бұрын

If you use balanced connectors on your headphones, I'd recommend a listen, sure.

@karanbirsidhu5651 3 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂 he shot the sheriff at 24bit 96KHz! Lol nice review, thanks.

@swampdweller.5935 2 жыл бұрын

So my Monster turbine Pro gold & Copper wouldn't be much cop eh......

@AR-lf4df 2 жыл бұрын

any of these play spotify or tidal

@MrForallya 3 жыл бұрын

Does this work with audible audio books?

@TheAudiophileMan 3 жыл бұрын

Yes

@adrianinnavan3910 3 жыл бұрын

I'm watching this on my LG V30 which I bought new last year for €150 and I'm wondering what to do with the €1000+ that I saved. I'm not in the slightest bit tempted to buy a large heavy brick of a 'portable' media player.

@duke86fan 3 жыл бұрын

i actually have been interested in a DAP because my LG V35 is probably losing its power since LG is out of the business and it wont have major updates soon.. so I probably have to update my phone soon and probably get a dedicated DAP... sadly the KANN series seems way out of my budget at 1000 dollars... I'm still a college student and don't have the money for something THAT much... I'll probably go searching around for a quality dap that supports offlining music from streaming services (that is absolutely essential for me) and costs more in the under 500 range (what i can safely call #studentfi)

@TheAudiophileMan 3 жыл бұрын

Hopefully I can cover a DAP in your price range in the future. In the meantime, good luck with your search.