Astell & Kern KANN - DAP with Massive Storage & Battery

[WyattEarp]

The HW is just too slow. The CPU is weak. It can barely run a simple web browser. That is why they can;t upgrade the firmware or fix anything.

Firmware can always be upgraded. They don't have to add more bells and whistles; simply fix current issues. Slowness is just one symptom of software not being tuned enough for the hardware it's on but that can be fixed. This is done on smartphones all the time. I think the bigger issue is them not thinking beyond their two year hardware cycle which doesn't include software upgrades (outside of some major issues) to give the hardware longevity long after the two year period. I have the Cube and am totally happy with it. It isn't as fast as I'd like it to be but it functions just fine and I'm ok with that. Would it be nice if they tuned the software more... absolutely, but I don't expect them to. Should they spend more time tuning... most definitely, and we should make a bigger stink to AK about it. Then maybe they will change their way of supporting their products and customers.

 

[DaYooper]

and we should make a bigger stink to AK about it. Then maybe they will change their way of supporting their products and customers.

I haven't seen that tactic work with A&K so far. Not much hope there. I was totally happy with the performance of the Kann with the exception it didn't play nice with 1tb cards. The firmware upgrade was supposed to address that along with other supposed issues (probably some streaming thing). Instead the firmware just screwed it up. So now instead of fixing it up they release two new products and firmware for SP2K. So my dissatisfaction and disappointment with A&K is deepening. I hope Jason is paying attention.

 

[WyattEarp]

I haven't seen that tactic work with A&K so far. Not much hope there. I was totally happy with the performance of the Kann with the exception it didn't play nice with 1tb cards. The firmware upgrade was supposed to address that along with other supposed issues (probably some streaming thing). Instead the firmware just screwed it up. So now instead of fixing it up they release two new products and firmware for SP2K. So my dissatisfaction and disappointment with A&K is deepening. I hope Jason is paying attention.

Totally understand. Unfortunately if it's not hurting their pockets then nothing gets done.

 

[chimney189]

Has anyone here tried the Kann with the Diana V2?

I'm wondering if this has enough juice to run it sufficiently or should I wait to purchase the Alpha?

 

[Newsee]

Has anyone here tried the Kann with the Diana V2?

I'm wondering if this has enough juice to run it sufficiently or should I wait to purchase the Alpha?

Have not tried the Diana V2.
But definitely wait for the Alpha. It will have twice the power, ESS Dac, 4.4 connection and hopefully more support than the KANN.

 

[groaninjock]

I love my Kann, but I'm getting pretty close to maxing out a 512gb SD card and 400gb Micro SD card.

What are the largest cards that are confirmed to work in the Kann? Has anyone pushed it beyond the 'official' maximums without issues?

 

[DaYooper]

The 512gb cards are the max that have worked for me. I have tried 1tb cards and the machine just does not play well with them.

 

[groaninjock]

Thanks for the quick reply. When you say the Kann doesn't play well with larger cards, what was the problem? Speed issues, not seeing the extra storage, read/write issues...?

 

[fabio19]

Is it possible to put on the Kann a player player other than the manufacturing one?

 

[luckexplorer]

No. Even the newest players (SR15, SR25, SA700, KANN Cube, SE100, SP1000M, SP1000, SP2000 and I hope the KANN Alpha) can just use some apps validated by Astell & Kern to access streaming service : https://us.astellnkern.com/blogs/news/open-app-service-instructions.
This is not like the FIIO's players.

 

[luckexplorer]

Astell&Kern have the best players for sound but about support and communication... Even their website is one of the slowest I have used. The last Kann's update made my player a brick during 2 months. It was a nightmare to find how to contact the European service, I had to pay for sending it in Germany from France (70 euros). I think this is the first and last product that I will buy from this company.

 

[DaYooper]

Astell&Kern have the best players for sound but about support and communication... Even their website is one of the slowest I have used. The last Kann's update made my player a brick during 2 months. It was a nightmare to find how to contact the European service, I had to pay for sending it in Germany from France (70 euros). I think this is the first and last product that I will buy from this company.

So after you sent it to the service center did they make it work again? And which FW version is on it now?

 

[luckexplorer]

Yes My Kann works. This is the 1.12CM version.

 

[DaYooper]

Mine is on 1.13 and it works ok except if I try to use 1tb cards

 

[Kevintj604]

Looking at purchasing the KANN Alpha as I've had an Empyrean since May and my only source that I have is a Mac Mini to Questyle CMA400i and an iPhone to iFi Hip Dac.

After reading some of the posts my concern is with support after purchase. I have also looked at the FiiO M11 Pro as an option but hear that the Empyrean sound unbelievable with the KANN Alpha.