Astell & Kern KANN - DAP with Massive Storage & Battery

[T.W.G]

Ah, thank you very much! Will search and install it.

 

[Plutopants]

There was a firmware update to fix this issue months ago. I assume you are not on the latest firmware.

I can’t seem to find a firmware update for KANN on the A&k website. Until now I’ve not looked for another one since the aborted update that apparently bricked some people’s units.

I’ve been looking here: a&k website

Has there ever been a further update or am I searching the wrong place?

 

[JasonNYC]

I can’t seem to find a firmware update for KANN on the A&k website. Until now I’ve not looked for another one since the aborted update that apparently bricked some people’s units.

Has there ever been a further update?

There should have been one available OTA, it would not be available on the AK website to manually install. Let me check back with the team and confirm.

 

[Plutopants]

There should have been one available OTA, it would not be available on the AK website to manually install. Let me check back with the team and confirm.

Ah, I’ve not tried OTA on my KANN. Is it now safe to do so?

 

[chr65nos8]

Hi,
I own an DAP A&K Kann .
I have firmware 1.12cm and Tidal 1.2 installed.
If I try to update the firmware on the device I get an error all the time. I have full battery and wifi is working. I don't understand why I get an error when doing update.

I have searched on the official A&K website and there is no firmware version for this model. I guess because it is old.

I really like the sound of my Kann player and I don't want to change it for the moment.

Is it possible to install a newer firmware version?
Is it possible to install spotify on Kann? Maybe helped with an app on the smartphone?

Thanks for any help
Regards

 

[chr65nos8]

I am using two ways when I want to listen to Qobuz on Kann (which I also find tube-like)
1. Using Kann as USB-DAC out of either desktop or laptop computer, or from smartphone. It needs a usb cable to the micro-usb slot. (From smartphone it has to be USB-C to micro usb OTG cable)
2. Using AK connect service on Kann, playing Qobuz from BubbleUpnp on android smartphone, or from mconnect app on iPhone to Kann. I found mconnect more stable and more comfortable than BubbleUpnp. I think both app support tidal as well. This methods needs wlan, but works even on smartphone hotspot.

How to use AK connect on Kann? I have installed it on my phone and Kann does not appear. Both are on the same wifi network.

 

[Newsee]

How to use AK connect on Kann? I have installed it on my phone and Kann does not appear. Both are on the same wifi network.

Swipe down from the top of the screen of the KANN. Tap on the nut sign to get into settings. Tap on "AK CONNECT" to get in the "AK CONNECT" menu. Tap on the white dot right to the lower "AK CONNECT" text. The dot gets shiny white, "AK CONNECT enabled" text appears on the lower part on the screen for a short time.
I leave "Sleep mode" off for convenience.

Now when you start the "AK connect" app on your phone you can tap on the tree lines in the top left corner to get the menu. Tap on the small down arrow next to "SPEAKER" to see the available renderers. "KANN" shall appear under the "My Device : here is your phone name".

In the "LIBRARY" menu you can choose the source of the music. Tidal seems to be here a possibility, but I cannot test it as I do not have Tidal subscription.

BubbleUPnP works in a very similar manner, that includes Qobuz as source.

Make sure that the KANN is close enough to the wireless router to get most of the bars on the WLAN icon. That makes the songs start faster - do not expect miracles, 5-10 second delay is "normal".

 

[chr65nos8]

Swipe down from the top of the screen of the KANN. Tap on the nut sign to get into settings. Tap on "AK CONNECT" to get in the "AK CONNECT" menu. Tap on the white dot right to the lower "AK CONNECT" text. The dot gets shiny white, "AK CONNECT enabled" text appears on the lower part on the screen for a short time.
I leave "Sleep mode" off for convenience.

Now when you start the "AK connect" app on your phone you can tap on the tree lines in the top left corner to get the menu. Tap on the small down arrow next to "SPEAKER" to see the available renderers. "KANN" shall appear under the "My Device : here is your phone name".

In the "LIBRARY" menu you can choose the source of the music. Tidal seems to be here a possibility, but I cannot test it as I do not have Tidal subscription.

BubbleUPnP works in a very similar manner, that includes Qobuz as source.

Make sure that the KANN is close enough to the wireless router to get most of the bars on the WLAN icon. That makes the songs start faster - do not expect miracles, 5-10 second delay is "normal".

Thank you so much for the information! I got it on the first try. I didn't think it would be that easy.
What is better for you? Qobuz or Tidal? I don't know Qobuz.
Just one question. Is there a way to use Spotify? I have a subscription right now and I'd like to use it.

Thank you so much

 

[Newsee]

Thank you so much for the information! I got it on the first try. I didn't think it would be that easy.
What is better for you? Qobuz or Tidal? I don't know Qobuz.
Just one question. Is there a way to use Spotify? I have a subscription right now and I'd like to use it.

Thank you so much

You are welcome.

I trialled Tidal when they were still pushing MQA. I compared, I found Qobuz better sounding, stayed there and have not looked at Tidal any more.

For Spotify I have not found any other method than using KANN as USB dac from computer or android phone.

I have Spotify because of the different content and family use. I use it only when something is not available on Qobuz.

 

[chr65nos8]

You are welcome.

I trialled Tidal when they were still pushing MQA. I compared, I found Qobuz better sounding, stayed there and have not looked at Tidal any more.

For Spotify I have not found any other method than using KANN as USB dac from computer or android phone.

I have Spotify because of the different content and family use. I use it only when something is not available on Qobuz.

Thanks again for the info.
So it's not possible to update the firmware to get Spotify inside Kann? I've had version 1.12cm for years.
I don't know if it's possible to get a newer version. If I try to update, I get an error on the device.
Is version 1.12cm the latest for Kann? Thank you Sir!

 

[Wolf Dieter]

So it's not possible to update the firmware to get Spotify inside Kann?

You can't even update todays date. KANN ends at 2023
Just use SD cards and be happy if your device holds some battery juice.
Updates are not the strength of A&K.

 

[dafnis]

I have an original KANN (no surname, no bluetooth, etc ). Until now I've enjoyed it on my own with headphones. Now I would like to have it in my studio as source of music, and connect it too a good sound system. I also own a lot of CDs, many ripped onto the KANN already, but not the ones for the rest of my family, though, so I'd like this sound system to be capable both of playing CDs and get the KANN connected to it directly.
Budget would depend on many variables, but something between £250 and £750 (I live in the UK). That's roughly speaking $300-1,000.
I'd love recommendations! Thanks!!