The Highest Level Of Channel
Separation(Crosstalk)

KANN ALPHA boasts excellent performance measurement for crosstalk. Channel crosstalk is how much signal leaking there is between the L and R channels.

The higher the crosstalk number, the better the separation between channels and the deeper and wider the sense of space that can be felt.

As evident with the newly developed audio circuit design, KANN ALPHA features a never before seen Crosstalk measurement of -141dB(High Gain), which is unmatched by any other portable audio products in its class.

Powerful 12Vrms Output
With 14 ½ Hours of Continuous Playback

KANN ALPHA supports the same powerful 12Vrms output as the existingKANN CUBE, however the player has been optimized to be more compact.
This is achieved through the miniaturization of numerous parts such as resistorsand capacitors, by rearranging various components and through circuit optimization.
This resulted in the modification of more than 60 parts during the development process.

Ultra-small tantalum capacitors, which were developed exclusively for Astell&Kernthrough a collaboration with Matsuo Electric in Japan to meet our high performance
requirements, supply stable power to the player and suppress electrical noise.

This redesigned power circuit used in KANN ALPHA also allows us to achieve 14 ½ hours of continuous playback.

Equipped With Bluetooth 5.0 and Support for
Wireless 24-Bit Qualcomm® aptX™ HD , LDAC Codecs

KANN ALPHA is the first Astell&Kern player to use Bluetooth 5.0.
The latest Bluetooth version provides high sound quality with the convenience of wireless playback to headphones and IEMs.

Bluetooth 5.0 features faster transmission speed and greater range compared to Bluetooth 4.2, therefore providing a more stable wireless connection.

Both LDAC and Qualcomm® aptX™ HD is supported to provide audiophiles with the best wireless sound possible.

The high-quality sound that Astell&Kern is known for can now be heard when using Bluetooth earphones, headphones, and speakers.

Impulse Response	Filter name	Description
	Linear Phase Fast Roll-Off	Most Common filter with clean suppression and high rejection, best for music with high transients. Provides crisp clean highs
	Minimum Phase Slow Roll-Off	Non Symetrical filter designed to minimize pre ringing. Strong punchy bass with good transient attacks
	Hybrid Fast Roll-Off	Combination of Linear phase and Minimum phase. Fast transient attack, strong punchy bass, crisp highs.

Real-Time Information Confirmed by Light

KANN ALPHA features a LED volume wheel which displays various playback information,
including volume level and bit-rate of the track currently playing.

* LED can be turned on or off according to user setting.

 

Unique Manufacturing Technology Taken to a New Level

Astell&products are often compared with art sculptures in that they feature colorful facets and angles
that cannot be found in other products.
This is accomplished through the use of extremely precise metal manufacturing technology
that has been perfected by Astell&Kern over many years.

The first generation KANN used an extrusion method to form the aluminum body
where the KANN APLPHA uses precise metal manufacturing to create a luxurious and detailed design.

A precision mold is then separately manufactured for the high-gloss ceramic top cover.
Astell&Kern then uses more than seven different processes including low-speed machining to form the ceramic top cover and prevent cracking.

Unlike other manufacturers, a ring is not simply inserted into the ceramic top where each audio terminal is located, instead
a gold PVD coating is applied to minimize noise. A special coating is also applied to the ceramic surface to prevent fingerprints and smudging.

Astell&Kern's proprietary aluminum body design suppresses noise to improve sound quality,
while providing the best signal transmission to the audio circuits.
With our laser ground extension technology, you can achieve the best sound possible.

The vibration-free processing machines used by Astell&Kern are the same ones used by expensive Swiss luxury watch manufacturers.
This is reflected in the crafting of the volume wheel which is processed precisely like the crown of a luxury watch for the best operating feel.
Independent machining processing is applied to individual areas to create each small pattern.

 

Support for MQA 8x Rendering and MQA-CD
Enjoy the original master sound through the dedicated hardware full decoder installed in KANN ALPHA.
KANN Alpha includes MQA technology, which enables you to play back MQA audio files and streams,
delivering the sound of the original master recording.
MQA-CD playback is also supported on KANN ALPHA when playing MQA-CDs content using the AK CD-Ripper.
You now do not need special, expensive equipment to play back MQA-CDs.

 

 

 

Qualcomm® aptX™ HD is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.
Qualcomm is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries.
Qualcomm® aptX™ HD is a trademark of Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd., registered in the United States and other countries.

Design Concept

The design of KANN ALPHA shows the beauty from the combination of delicate details and
the substantial weight from its powerful performance.

Asymmetric triangles that resemble the identity of Astell&Kern surrounds the volume wheel on the solid, sturdy,
bold and column-like body of the player.

Considering the hexagon as an extension of a triangle, we started with the top side of the player based on the hexagon.
The altered shape of the top section was created by pressing the hexagon shape together.