Astell & Kern Kann ULTRA

• Triple gain with separately configured circuit and amplifier designs
  
• HEADPHONE OUT / PRE-OUT / LINE-OUT
  
• Next-generation Octa-Core processors with significant performance improvements
  
• Supports 4 preset gain settings with ultra-high output level up to 16Vrms (headphone output)
  
• Equipped with ESS ES9039MPRO Dual DACs
  
• Features Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) technology
  
• Supports playback up to 32bit/768kHz, Native DSD512
  
• Features Astell&Kern's unique TERATON ALPHA technology
  
• Battery 8,400 mAh (up to 11 hours playback time)
  

Triple Output, Triple Sound
The Astell&Kern KANN ULTRA features a Triple Output mode, allowing you to always enjoy perfectly tuned sound, whether you're connecting demanding headphones, highly sensitive IEMs, or external devices.

Instead of simply separating the outputs, Astell&Kern's Teraton Alpha Technology enables separate amplifier/sound designs for the headphone output and the Line/Pre-Out connections to achieve optimal sound for each connection.

1. Headphone Out
The connection features 4 preset gain settings and an extremely high output level of up to 16Vrms. The headphone jack is designed to drive demanding high-impedance headphones with just the player and without an external amplifier.

2. Pre-out
Select the Pre-Out mode on the Pre/Line Out jack to output sound to an external amplifier or audio device.
Pre Out: In this mode, sound is output via a specially designed pre-amplifier instead of the powerful headphone output amplifier. Pre-Out functions like a PRE AMP, with volume adjusted by the volume wheel.

3. Line-out
Select the Line-Out mode on the Pre/Line-Out jack to optimize sound when connecting to external devices.
Line-Out: In this mode, sound is output directly from the DAC without passing through an amplifier, resulting in the lowest noise level and
ideal for connecting to external audio devices.
Line Out has a fixed output voltage (4 levels) and no volume control.

Four Gain Levels and Outputs up to 16Vrms for the Perfect Head-Fi Experience
To drive the most demanding and sensitive IEMs and headphones, a DAP must be able to deliver appropriate output power.
The Astell&Kern KANN ULTRA features 4 preset gain settings up to 16Vrms – the strongest output power of all Astell&Kern players.

The output current capacity has been increased to reliably drive devices with different impedances using the gain level setting. The AMPs have been separated into balanced and unbalanced to optimize currents and reduce noise, thus achieving the best possible sound.

The KANN ULTRA not only offers the highest output power but also a larger 5.5-inch screen and improved portability compared to the KANN CUBE, which was known for its high output power.
The weight of the KANN ULTRA has been significantly reduced to 390 grams.

TERATON ALPHA, the Essence of A&K Audio Technologies
From ultra-high output power that can drive even the most sensitive headphones, to the triple output design, to the complex amplifier design and the minimization of noise in a compact portable audio player: None of this would have been possible without A&K's ultimate sound solution, TERATON ALPHA.

Astell&Kern has incorporated its noise reduction expertise from ultra-high performance predecessors like the KANN MAX and CA1000 series into TERATON ALPHA.
Developed through continuous research, TERATON ALPHA is a unique technology from Astell&Kern to ensure the best possible audio reproduction through effective noise reduction, efficient power management, and consistent amplification.

Enhanced Sound with the Latest ESS Flagship DAC
The KANN ULTRA is equipped with two ES9039MPRO DACs, ESS's latest flagship DACs, to deliver a more vivid and voluminous sound.
The ES9039MPRO is an updated ES9039PRO model featuring an integrated stereo hardware MQA renderer. It boasts even more advanced modulation than its predecessor.

It features even more advanced modulation than the previous flagship DAC to reduce power consumption, noise, and distortion within the DAC, thereby improving audio performance.
Astell&Kern has redesigned the amplifier block to ensure that the clear, high-resolution sound of the ES9039MPRO is clearly expressed through every port of the Triple Output, and that each output has its own optimal performance.

Lightning-Fast User Experience with Next-Generation Octa-Core Processors
Astell&Kern's KANN ULTRA is equipped with next-generation Octa-Core processors that offer significant performance improvements.
The audio circuit area is physically separated from the processor area, which includes the CPU, memory, and wireless communication components.

Crimson User Interface
For the first time in the KANN series, the Astell&Kern KANN ULTRA features the new Crimson user interface.
The Crimson UX/UI has been designed to allow users to quickly browse music categories and rediscover tracks in their music library. It also provides an easy browsing function for album covers.

The Crimson Theme focuses on clean lines and an uncluttered design. The black color theme with red accents reduces visual fatigue and provides an intuitive user experience. It includes many other improvements to the device's usability regarding streaming
app services, artist view, album sorting, and album cover search function.

Crossfeed – Speaker Effect when Listening through Headphones
In a headphone environment where the left and right channels are clearly separated, prolonged listening can lead to ear fatigue. The moment you turn on Crossfeed, the experience of crisp yet pleasant sound begins.

Crossfeed mixes parts of the original signal of one channel and sends this signal to the opposite channel with a time delay to center the soundstage. By using detailed settings such as Shelf Cutoff, Shelf Gain, and Mixer Level, the Crossfeed level can be adjusted according to listening preferences.

Real-time Information with Colored LED
The LED lights on the volume wheel visually represent the performance of the Astell&Kern KANN ULTRA, showing the volume, levels, or the bitrate of the currently playing song.