Astell&Kern KANN CUBE

[JasonNYC]

Sorry, forgot to include pics. This is the SP1000 AMP case, which is similar to KANN CUBE case with the same back.

 

[gto88]

Yes, KANN CUBE includes a leather case in the retail box. It's similar to the case for the SP1000 AMP. I thought I took some pics of it, but can't find it in the moment. Below are the pics of the SP1000 case. The KANN CUBE has a similar design on the back.

And have it included 5-pin mini xlr to 2-3pins xlr cable?

 

[orifiel]

@JasonNYC
Same question, do i find this cable in the box??
Or if it’s not...where do i find one?

The USB mode to use with a external DAC, is the same as the KANN?

 

[gto88]

Got notice, the pre-order is opened now.
Hopefully to see some in-depth reviews pretty soon.

 

[Ultrainferno]

On today's Picture Sunday we have for you our first impressions of the Astell&Kern KANN CUBE.

Now on Headfonia!

https://www.headfonia.com/picture-sunday-ak-kann-cube/

 

[DarginMahkum]

On today's Picture Sunday we have for you our first impressions of the Astell&Kern KANN CUBE.

Now on Headfonia!

https://www.headfonia.com/picture-sunday-ak-kann-cube/

I don't know where I read it but someone was saying that it is not even on par with SE100, which I find quite unexpected. You say soundwise it is on par with Ultima? Also clarity and detail?

 

[Ultrainferno]

To me it's better in clarity, speed and precision but it's been a while since I listened to the SE100. This is from memory, but the SE100 was darker and less precise, clean.

 

[Whitigir]

Recently, there is like a wave of people , or negative people to just bash and negatively posting about the modern high-end gears. I have seen across this forum and others. But if you check those guys out, they are new posters, and don’t even have much experiences in technical or listening at all.

Anyways, I doubt the SE100 can drive headphones full-size as well as Cube. The power output is crazy

 

[DarginMahkum]

Recently, there is like a wave of people , or negative people to just bash and negatively posting about the modern high-end gears. I have seen across this forum and others. But if you check those guys out, they are new posters, and don’t even have much experiences in technical or listening at all.

Anyways, I doubt the SE100 can drive headphones full-size as well as Cube. The power output is crazy

I know I was negative in the beginning but both Cube and SP2000 are pretty interesting, as, as I understand these are the first DAPs to use current output mode. I thought ES90X8PRO only uses current output mode, but looking at the product info they so support both voltage and current output and they achieve their bests (better THD, DNR, and what else?) in current output mode. I guess all existing DAPs with these chipsets are using voltage output mode. It would be great to have a DAP that can deliver the performance of a full blown desktop setup. I am dying to hear those beasts now.

 

[jmills8]

I know I was negative in the beginning but both Cube and SP2000 are pretty interesting, as, as I understand these are the first DAPs to use current output mode. I thought ES90X8PRO only uses current output mode, but looking at the product info they so support both voltage and current output and they achieve their bests (better THD, and what else?) in current output mode. I guess all existing DAPs with these chipsets are using voltage output mode. It would be great to have a DAP that can deliver the performance of a full blown desktop setup. I am dying to hear those beasts now.

Maybe at first you were trying not to like it, so you wont end up buying another dap.

 

[Whitigir]

I know I was negative in the beginning but both Cube and SP2000 are pretty interesting, as, as I understand these are the first DAPs to use current output mode. I thought ES90X8PRO only uses current output mode, but looking at the product info they so support both voltage and current output and they achieve their bests (better THD, and what else?) in current output mode. I guess all existing DAPs with these chipsets are using voltage output mode. It would be great to have a DAP that can deliver the performance of a full blown desktop setup. I am dying to hear those beasts now.

I will keep it short, but th emote you are looking and finding facts about these portable and digital music.....you will arrive at Sony DMP-Z1 ....LOL!

Maybe at first you were trying not to like it, so you wont end up buying another dap.

I have seen it somewhere

 

[nicodem]

Beside all tech issues with SD card, 2.5mm balanced etc - can anybody share some thoughts on listening?
I would love to find some comparsion with Hugo2. This looks like powered enough to replace hugo2 for sound and usabiity as DAP.

 

[DarginMahkum]

Beside all tech issues with SD card, 2.5mm balanced etc - can anybody share some thoughts on listening?
I would love to find some comparsion with Hugo2. This looks like powered enough to replace hugo2 for sound and usabiity as DAP.

Any kind of impressions would be good, actually. I would be interested to hear impressions for vs SP1000 / vs Hugo2 / vs N8 / vs DX220 etc.

 

[jmills8]

Any kind of impressions would be good, actually. I would be interested to hear impressions for vs SP1000 / vs Hugo2 / vs N8 / vs DX220 etc.

And sp2000

 

[DarginMahkum]

And sp2000

These don't mean much maybe, as the differences written here need bat ears to hear them. By the way, one of the questions I had was whether Cube is making use of all channels of the ES9038PROs, and according to the A&K website, yes it is. So, 8 channels in mono mode per side driven in current mode.

SP2000 Audio Performance

Frequency Response
±0.015dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalance / ±0.010dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Balance
±0.050dB (Condition: 20Hz~70kHz) Unbalance / ±0.030dB (Condition: 20Hz~70kHz) Balance
Signal to Noise Ratio 124dB @ 1kHz, Unbalance / 125dB @ 1kHz, Balance
Crosstalk -138dB @ 1kHz, Unbalance / -144dB @ 1kHz, Balance
THD+N 0.0005% @ 1kHz, Unbalance / 0.0004% @ 1kHz, Balance
IMD SMPTE 0.0003% 800Hz 10kHz(4:1) Unbalance & Balance
Output Impedance Balanced out 2.5mm (1ohm) / PHONES 3.5mm (1.5ohm)
Clock Jitter 25ps(Typ)
Reference Clock Jitter 200 Femto Seconds

KANN Cube Audio Performance

Frequency Response [Phone Out]
±0.027dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalance / ±0.025dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) Balance
±0.070dB (Condition : 10Hz~70kHz) Unbalance / ±0.087dB (Condition : 10Hz~70kHz) Balance
Signal to Noise Ratio [Phone Out] 117dB @ 1kHz, Unbalance / 117dB @ 1kHz, Balance
Crosstalk [Phone Out] 129dB @ 1kHz, Unbalance / 136dB @ 1kHz, Balance
THD+N [Phone Out] 0.0004% @ 1kHz, Unbalance / 0.0005% @ 1kHz, Balance
IMD SMPTE [Phone Out] 0.0005% 800Hz 10kHz(4:1) Unbalance / 0.0006% 800Hz 10kHz(4:1) Balance
Output Impedance PHONES 3.5mm (1.2ohm) / Balanced out 2.5mm (1.6ohm)
Reference Clock Jitter 250 Femto Seconds