Astell & Kern Kann Ultra

[mc1114]

Sony creates the same as 99,99% of all audio products incomplete audio products. Incomplete audio products are audio products that can not reveal all those aspects that sound possesses. Layering in sound is one of the aspects of sound. And it is the most important one. Why? Because it has the biggest influence on our emotions when we listen to music. The layering in the mid-frequencies (around 4000 Hz) is the most important part of it. This affects our emotions the most. Sony is not natural sounding, so it differs too much from how sound should be presented

 

[Bobby72]

This is the truth!!

 

[Thraxas]

How does the VU meter work? No matter what I change in the volume, the rash of the VU meter always remains the same.

 

[Bobby72]

It only works and reacts to the music/signal (right and left channel) it gets. The volume will not change the output you are using. I never use it. It will only take more battery. I love a black screen during music.

 

[Thraxas]

What is the nonsense with the VU meter? I think that this could be integrated into the interface in such a way that the volume that is attached to the outputs is displayed. Just like the volume display (graphic and number) on the display when I turn on the volume wheel.

 

[Bobby72]

What's the nonsense with the VU meter? I think that this could be integrated into the interface so that the volume attached to the outputs is displayed, just like the volume display (graphic and number) on the display when I turn on the volume wheel.

I still think it is made for little children. When you have a tape/DAT recorder with VU meters, they work the same way. They present the dynamic range of both the left and right channels. It is never about the volume you use. Please don't use it, so you don't have to bother.

 

[Gvs71]

Actually it depends on what one looking for. I believe your taste is more to reference sound, in that case Astell is perhaps the best on that sound profile. Sony 's sound on DAP is usually forward lush mid (usually, because they tried adapting the sound according to the region, and stopped doing that lately when making wm1a/z mk2). Kann Series usually has a forward mid, warm but in terms of lush before Kann Ultra, I say Sony is more to my taste.

Let me describe in more detail
WM1A VS WM1AM2: the M2 has a better treble (both quantity and quality) got a better headroom as well which feels as if you turn on DC Phase Linerization A Low in WM1A (but it is direct sound in WM1AM2), but this better treble reduces the lush feeling, it sounds more digital compared to WM1A.
WM1A VS WM1Z: 1Z has a better treble and a deeper sub bass.
Kann Ultra VS WM1AM2 VS WM1A VS WM1Z: Kann Ultra has that better treble quality and quantity in M2 but retains the lush of the 1A and has the deep sub-bass of 1Z, and has a better feeling of effortless sound.

This is why I say Kann Ultra wins on all aspects.

Now if we say Astell is the King of portable audio DAP ... Astell has the best build quality, and is the highest price DAP on all segments. But for sound quality, it is subjective to every person. SP Series is reference but not enjoyable for everyone, needs a warm headphone like Beyerdynamic. SR Series is a budget SP, has a right timbre but may benefit from additional portable tube amplifier. None of the SE or SA series appeal to my taste.

Once again, thanks Andnej and all who responded to my questions. I decided to buy the Kann Ultra, which is now on its way to me.

 

[nioh]

Once again, thanks Andnej and all who responded to my questions. I decided to buy the Kann Ultra, which is now on its way to me.

It’s an amazing device with great resolution. I wish the Software wasn’t such a crippled one, but it has all the needed applications and it works.

 

[der luda]

I have now bought the Kann Ultra, after 2 years of using the SA700 I switched to the Ibasso DX300.
The SA700 was too weak for some headphones and the DX300 pleased me with its range.

Unfortunately the DX300 no longer turned on, SW error.

What I was able to experience with the Kann Ultra was an incredible sound experience Unbelievable, I was back home...these details, the tempo, the way he plays with my headphones.
In ear, planare, I never thought there would be such a jump.

 

[Evldice]

I have now bought the Kann Ultra, after 2 years of using the SA700 I switched to the Ibasso DX300.
The SA700 was too weak for some headphones and the DX300 pleased me with its range.

Unfortunately the DX300 no longer turned on, SW error.

What I was able to experience with the Kann Ultra was an incredible sound experience Unbelievable, I was back home...these details, the tempo, the way he plays with my headphones.
In ear, planare, I never thought there would be such a jump.

That's awesome your experience was a good one. It is similar to my own coming from the Hiby R6III. The Kann is a beast and produces amazing sound.

 

[Bobby72]

I am now looking for a new set of IEMs for the Ultra. I only use music that I bought and put on my Ultra/SD card directly. I want one set for all kinds of music; I dislike changing IEMs. My budget is 4000 euros/dollars. I now own a set of Odin's. But I do not like it, to be honest. (It is for sale now) The mids are not coherent, and I do not like the low frequencies, either. I do not like Dynamic drivers. I want lows/mids and highs to blend in seamlessly. Any suggestions?

 

[Evldice]

I am now looking for a new set of IEMs for the Ultra. I only use music that I bought and put on my Ultra/SD card directly. I want one set for all kinds of music; I dislike changing IEMs. My budget is 4000 euros/dollars. I now own a set of Odin's. But I do not like it, to be honest. (It is for sale now) The mids are not coherent, and I do not like the low frequencies, either. I do not like Dynamic drivers. I want lows/mids and highs to blend in seamlessly. Any suggestions?

The sets I've heard recently that impressed me in that price range or lower. Novus, Alter Ego, Alpha Omega Omega, and Trifecta. They all have DDs though, either exclusively or in a hybrid configuration. If you want full, impactful, solid bass, in that price range, most sets are hybrid sets.

 

[der luda]

That's awesome your experience was a good one. It is similar to my own coming from the Hiby R6III. The Kann is a beast and produces amazing sound.

wonderful , what always amazes me about this forum...we discuss the whole planet and have no boundaries in mind

 

[Bobby72]

The heart of the Ultra are the Sabre 9039Pro DACs. I have worked full-time in audio for 26 years, and I know a lot about audio because I learned what sound and music are. I am a Lumin dealer, and we also adapt and modify these products. My modified Lumin X1 uses the older Sabre 9038Pro DACs. Lumin products have the same analog signature as many of the Astell&Kern DAPs. I did a lot of research regarding streaming in the last 13 years. Most streaming products own a 2-dimensional stage and lack layering in sound. (harmonics) This last part is the most essential aspect of sound's different elements. Many DACs emphasize a specific frequency range (often low frequencies), and all audio (a few thousand) products I tested in 26 years that were not linear could not reveal all the eight aspects that sound possesses. This makes the Ultra unique. You can buy DAPs with more resolution, but you will have less layering in the mid-frequencies. I play all music in Super gain modus (I love the weight in the low frequencies) and upsample all music in PCM or DSD. (when I play DSD music) I know there will be a SP4000 this year. If I am interested, it depends on the DAC used and the super gain modus.

 

[Dalmonegrig]

Hello!
I have a few questions:
1) Is it possible to use Astell & Kern Kann Ultra as a transport using USB PRE-OUT for this? I would like to output the audio signal to Dali iO-12 headphones via USB PRE-OUT.
2) Is it possible to adjust the signal (sound) volume when outputting it via USB PRE-OUT?
For example, I connect Dali iO-12 headphones to Astell & Kern Kann Ultra via USB PRE-OUT, will I be able to adjust the volume of the headphones (quieter, louder) or will the volume be fixed, like with LINE OUT?
3) Is there a difference in sound quality between USB LINE OUT and USB PRE-OUT output modes?
4) Is USB Audio Player Pro in the whitelist and does it work stably?
Thank you for the information!