[JasonNYC]

Hi Jason,

I have just ordered Kann amd am wandering if you guys have any plans implementing Spotify streaming or at least Tidal offline download?

Thanks

We are looking into adding additional streaming options down the road, but currently do not have any ETA on when that might be done. Sorry I cannot give you a better answer at the moment.

 

[Teppka]

We are looking into adding additional streaming options down the road, but currently do not have any ETA on when that might be done. Sorry I cannot give you a better answer at the moment.

This really is a bad news Jason. I was really hoping your great players would be having such basic features.

 

[JasonNYC]

This really is a bad news Jason. I was really hoping your great players would be having such basic features.

If you do a quick search here, you will see the issue with Tidal offline that has been addressed many times. We are currently unable to offer Tidal offline mode on our players due to contractual terms Tidal has in place with the record labels. Tidal offline is currently only available on the official Tidal apps that can be downloaded directly from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. We have been working closely with both Tidal and the labels to be able to offer Tidal offline mode. As soon as we get permission to do so, Tidal offline can be added quickly via a firmware update.

 

[Teppka]

If you do a quick search here, you will see the issue with Tidal offline that has been addressed many times. We are currently unable to offer Tidal offline mode on our players due to contractual terms Tidal has in place with the record labels. Tidal offline is currently only available on the official Tidal apps that can be downloaded directly from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. We have been working closely with both Tidal and the labels to be able to offer Tidal offline mode. As soon as we get permission to do so, Tidal offline can be added quickly via a firmware update.

Thanks for the feedback. May I ask if Kann runs on some kind of customized version of Android? If it does it might be possible to make native Tidal (or Spotify for thay matter) app available for download?

Thanks.

 

[JasonNYC]

Thanks for the feedback. May I ask if Kann runs on some kind of customized version of Android? If it does it might be possible to make native Tidal (or Spotify for thay matter) app available for download?

Thanks.

Astell&Kern does use a heavily customized version of Android. We do not enable access to the Google Play store via the device and users cannot sideload Android apps onto the device.

 

[Teppka]

Astell&Kern does use a heavily customized version of Android. We do not enable access to the Google Play store via the device and users cannot sideload Android apps onto the device.

Then I guess it has more to do with you not enabling users to access Google Store or whatever store to download native Spotify or Tidal apps and less with contractual terms Tidal or Spotify has in place with the record labels.

Because Tidal and Spotify apps have no such issues with record labels on my Onkyo player, which runs less customized android version but obviously does allow users to download native Tidal and Spotify apps.

 

[iridium7777]

that's probably true. but, AK decided to offer a custom version of android, and you read through the EU lawsuit against Google you see that it's either a stripped off version of android or you have to package all of google services. i actually am not sure if i want a full android crap package on my AK -- if you like it so much stick with Onkyo/Panasonic. Yes, i want offline tidal and i would also like qobuz over spotify, but i bought this player well knowing these features were not supported so to come here and whine at this guy over and over about it seems very silly.

Then I guess it has more to do with you not enabling users to access Google Store or whatever store to download native Spotify or Tidal apps and less with contractual terms Tidal or Spotify has in place with the record labels.
.

 

[Teppka]

that's probably true. but, AK decided to offer a custom version of android, and you read through the EU lawsuit against Google you see that it's either a stripped off version of android or you have to package all of google services. i actually am not sure if i want a full android crap package on my AK -- if you like it so much stick with Onkyo/Panasonic. Yes, i want offline tidal and i would also like qobuz over spotify, but i bought this player well knowing these features were not supported so to come here and whine at this guy over and over about it seems very silly.

No one forces you to use any of Google's crap. I disabled all apps, everything except for stock player and Spotify on my Onkyo. Took me 7 minutes. Easy and simple. Nothing else runs in the background.

 

[iridium7777]

you can't fully degoogle google no matter what you think you've disabled, those calls are still there as there a bunch of tie-ins to the main OS. without actually rooting it and running some sort of a stock kernel (which would make it what AK did anyways) you can't get away from google. why is it difficult to understand that they've taken a fork of android specifically not to include any of the google services -- whether it be due to licensing issues, privacy, aesthetics we will never know, but still it's a choice that they've made and as such whatever you like about google play store will never be on this AK player.

if you want a straight google player there are plenty of options for that -- you obviously own one.

No one forces you to use any of Google's crap. I disabled all apps, everything except for stock player and Spotify on my Onkyo. Took me 7 minutes. Easy and simple. Nothing else runs in the background.

 

[Teppka]

you can't fully degoogle google no matter what you think you've disabled, those calls are still there as there a bunch of tie-ins to the main OS. without actually rooting it and running some sort of a stock kernel (which would make it what AK did anyways) you can't get away from google. why is it difficult to understand that they've taken a fork of android specifically not to include any of the google services -- whether it be due to licensing issues, privacy, aesthetics we will never know, but still it's a choice that they've made and as such whatever you like about google play store will never be on this AK player.

if you want a straight google player there are plenty of options for that -- you obviously own one.

I'm trying to understand what point are you trying to prove. And I don't need you to tell me what I should or shouldn't be sticking with Onkyo or whatever else. I don't have brand loyalty paranoia as you probably do. Enabling or disabling access to play store is a choice any player manufacturer is free to make. I'm just trying to understand it. And I'll keep asking questions, express my wishes and expectations. This is what customers do.

Already having Onkyo I ordered Kann not because of it's possible future option to include Spotify but in addition to positive reviews high battery capacity and most importantly higher output as Onkyo can't drive my Oppo PM1 with authority. So concentrate on what you stick around with, no need to worry about me.

 

[Makiah S]

Gave the Kaan a Listen! Starting out with some Eagles and a Grado PS 500E, have to say the Kaan makes an excellent companion to this sharp Mid-Range Grado offer. Good balance between the two!!!

I also hooked it up into some Maggie 3.7i's with the guys from Upstairs Audio here in Columbia SC. Have to say we were all impressed with how the Kaan Pair'd with them and the Rouge Audio MonoBlock set up they had. But I'm not really a speakers guy so I don't have much of a reference point in that department

What I liked most about the Kaan was the adjustable Line Output Voltage and how quick and clean the UI is, lots of options for both input and out! So kudo's to Astell&Kern, the EQ was also excellent. How ever I'm not a heavy EQ User so I disabled it



An in terms of sound I did some quick comparisons to my Own HM 901 and found the Kaan to be surprisingly warm... for well balanced tracks, stuff like the Eagles or Rebecca Pidgeon it's more of a different presentation than anything. But with Igor Levit's rendition of Aria... I found it to be more offensive as it blurr'd some details overall and added some mild ringing to the track.

Amp wise I'm running an ALO Rx MKB3 which I find to be a more natural sound amp, so it may be more of an issue with pairing than anything. But the mild and intrusive ringing I heard with Aria was also present in the Maggie 3.7i system as well...

Ending on a good note though the Kaan is certainly quite full bodied! In both it's sound and it's suite of features. I've got some colder amps in my collection that I'll be trying out with the Kaan too, alongside of some other headphones. I'll likely switch to my Pico Power and K701 here in a moment!

 

[snafu1]

Anyone know where the serial number is located on the Kann?
I've looked at the body and gone through the menus and I've been unable to locate it.

 

[JasonNYC]

Anyone know where the serial number is located on the Kann?
I've looked at the body and gone through the menus and I've been unable to locate it.

@snafu1 The serial number is on the bottom above the microUSB port

 

[snafu1]

@snafu1 The serial number is on the bottom above the microUSB port

Thanks!
Boy, I had to bring the player over to the window and in bright light and a powerful magnifying glass, I was able to dimly make out the gray (on black) characters. It's like A&K is trying to obfuscate this on purpose.

 

[dakchi]

Hi,
I started noticing a very strange behavior of the battery of my Kann. I charge it until it reaches 90-100% and when I switch it on, the battery icon shows only 60%. I also noticed the battery drains very quickly. I can only listen to music for less than 2 hours. This is not acceptable for a 1000€ audio player. I don't know what to do. Did someone have the same issues?

Thanks