Astell & Kern Kann Ultra

[Thraxas]

I can sign that. Since you mentioned the Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000T, I would also be interested in a more detailed comparison.

 

[Bobby72]

I can sign that. Since you mentioned the Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000T, I would also be interested in a more detailed comparison.

The AK DACs, Astell uses can never give you the layering (harmonics) in sound as the Sabre 9039 Pro. The SP3000 will never have the weight in the low frequencies that the Ultra can create. So only a little bit more air will never be enough to compete against the layering in sound and extreme power in the low frequencies as the Ultra. I know they will come soon with a SP4000, a new top model. Maybe now they use a powerful amp as the Ultra uses.

 

[Bobby72]

Written by FlatListener, I understand what he writes, read it yourself:

I own the T+A Solitaire T and a very old FiiO X5 1st gen. Yesterday I had the pleasure of auditioning the Kann Ultra and SP3000M. Without knowing the retail prices, I clearly favoured the Kann Ultra above the SP3000M. The SP3000M sounded very good, clean and accurate. But also a little audacious or ambitious, like the pupil in class that knows all the answers and shows off those skills. Then on the other hand the Kann Ultra was like the teacher, not utterly impatient to prove the skills, but much more easy going and making everything sound so much easier, seemingly still having a lot of reserve performance in store. Listening to Ed Sheeran’s Perfect, the voice sounded more powerful on the Kann Ultra, yet very controlled, inviting to keep listening.

Both DAPs provide a whole new level of musicality compared to the FiiO X5, bringing the solitaire T to a higher level. And it’s not only the voices that come out more powerful and clear, it’s also the bass, which I didn’t even know the solitaire T has it.

Then when I heard the MSRP of both units, 2600 for the SP3000M and 1800 for the Kann Ultra, I was surprised. The salesman explained to me that the KannUltra has more power. I didn’t really push the volume levels into the hearing damage red zone, I believe it was between 65~70. And the Solitaire T - as far as I know - isn’t such a difficult HP to drive. So I was surprised by the outcome.

After changing the stock cable 4.4mm to a HQ €500 cable 4.4mm, the Kann Ultra still retained what I heard before, performing with such apparent ease, but now with the new cable the music sounded much wider, as if I suddenly moved a lot closer to the band playing.

Big downside is the size and weight, but that is not the most important.

Anyway, I would really appreciate your opinions, especially but not only from those who are familiar with these A&K DAPs. Do you recognise my findings? Anything you’d like to share?

Also, I would be interested in hearing other suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bobby72]

I can sign that. Since you mentioned the Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000T, I would also be interested in a more detailed comparison.

People have no idea how tubes work and what they do with the sound. A tube works by distortion. It colors a rather big frequency range. Most people will describe it as more pleasant. But......it will never give you more layers and it will never improve the harmonics. For example, my Gryphon pure Class A power amp is superior in layering (harmonics) in sound compared to any tube amp. The layering in the mid frequencies is the most important aspect of sound because it will have the biggest influence on your emotions when you listen to music. That is where the Sabre 9039Pro DAC excels.

 

[Evldice]

I bought the Kann Ultra and I am blown away by it. I have the Kann Max and sold this one to a friend. It makes the Max sound like a dinky toy. I listen to some former Astell top models in the past, but this is far superior in all aspects of sound. I have worked for 26 years in audio and I learned what sound is. I also have a 300.000 euro+ audio system at home. And I own over 40.000 euros in music I bought. Let me make one thing clear when you purchase music from Qobuz (the amount of information is a lot higher compared to streaming) and put it on the Ultra, it surpasses any compressed streaming. The same counts for DSD recordings, and I own a lot of DSD. I own a modified Lumin X1 top-model streamer that uses Sabre 9038 Pro DACs. The Ultra Kann uses the new Sabre 9039 Pro DACs. And they are like the 9038 Pro very analog sounding. These new Sabre DACs are exceptional in layering in the mid-frequency range. This part has the biggest influence on our emotions when we listen to music. Astell&Kern use the AK DACs. Maybe in the high frequencies, they are more open, but based on all 8 aspects/properties of sound they are not as complete as the Sabre 9039 Pro DACs. The Ultra has a lot more control and dynamics compared to the MAX. This level of weight I never auditioned in my life. The 3000 top model can never reach this level of weight. And it will never have the ultimate level of harmonics. Weight has a huge impact on the emotions of human hearing and makes everything sound a lot more realistic and natural. The Ultra sounds more coherent than the MAX. When you put music on the Ultra (SD card or the player) the layering is breathtaking good. The stage is so much wider and deeper compared to the MAX. The resolution is stunning and has so much grip in the whole frequency range. I spend a lot of time buying new music. I am a music addict and made my profession in audio due to my addiction. The Firmware update is also a huge improvement over the first one. The upsampling of the Ultra in both PCM and DSD is stunning. It improves all aspects of sound. I only buy very good music quality. The bigger screen is so much easier to use compared to the MAX. Based on the price I think it is a steal and the one to buy.

Question for you. I currently use Tidal and Apple Music, and between the two I've been pretty happy, I had Qobuz and switched to Tidal due to their library of my preferred musical genres. However, I have recently decided that I want to own music and utilize the Kann Ultra player and PEQ to listen to music the way I want to listen to it. So, is the music downloaded from Qobuz, of higher quality than that of Apple Music? As those are the current options available, most of the DSD sites only have limited genres and I'm not a full-time fan of Classical and Jazz. What are your thoughts/insights?

 

[Bobby72]

Question for you. I currently use Tidal and Apple Music, and between the two I've been pretty happy, I had Qobuz and switched to Tidal due to their library of my preferred musical genres. However, I have recently decided that I want to own music and utilize the Kann Ultra player and PEQ to listen to music the way I want to listen to it. So, is the music downloaded from Qobuz, of higher quality than that of Apple Music? As those are the current options available, most of the DSD sites only have limited genres and I'm not a full-time fan of Classical and Jazz. What are your thoughts/insights?

I know a lot about music and differences in streaming quality. Qobuz is a lot better compared to Tidal. I give negative advice ot all my clients regarding Tidal. Buying music is far superior compared to streaming. I only buy music, because for me the highest music quality is key.

 

[Evldice]

I know a lot about music and differences in streaming quality. Qobuz is a lot better compared to Tidal. I give negative advice ot all my clients regarding Tidal. Buying music is far superior compared to streaming. I only buy music, because for me the highest music quality is key.

How buying music from Apple, the same quality as Qobuz? Obviously dependant on the artist-provided tracks.

 

[Bobby72]

How buying music from Apple, the same quality as Qobuz? Obviously dependant on the artist-provided tracks.

I bought music from different sites. And the quality of the same music at the same bit rate at Qobuz is better.

 

[Evldice]

I bought music from different sites. And the quality of the same music at the same bit rate at Qobuz is better.

Thank you for your insight.

 

[Bobby72]

Thank you for your insight.

your welcome

 

[Trickness]

There’s a new firmware update out for the ultra, downloaded it with excitement, but now none of my Roon controllers sees the Kann. This was not the case before installing the firmware - anybody else experienced this or have any idea about how to fix it? I’ve turned Roon ready on and off on the device, rebooted it, rebooted all the controller machines, none of them see the Kann anymore.

@JasonNYC any thoughts??? Tried a soft reset and that didn’t work.

 

[Bobby72]

There’s a new firmware update out for the ultra, downloaded it with excitement, but now none of my Roon controllers sees the Kann. This was not the case before installing the firmware - anybody else experienced this or have any idea about how to fix it? I’ve turned Roon ready on and off on the device, rebooted it, rebooted all the controller machines, none of them see the Kann anymore.

@JasonNYC any thoughts??? Tried a soft reset and that didn’t work.

You need to understand that Roon is a platform. This means all your music goes through this platform. It is nice to have all your music under one umbrella. But in quality, Roon is 100% laughable. I worked full-time in audio for 26 years and learned what sound and music are. Roon limits the dynamic range and resolution. When we compare Roon and direct Roon never wins and is never a performance advantage. None of my clients used Roon after I showed them the limitations. When you buy music from Qobuz and put this directly on the Ultra, it is superior to Mickey Mouse Roon music for little children.

 

[Bobby72]

You need to understand that Roon is a platform. This means all your music goes through this platform. It make the way of all the data longer, this will always create limitations., Only born loosers will choose for limitations. It is nice to have all your music under one umbrella. But in quality, Roon is 100% laughable. I worked full-time in audio for 26 years and learned what sound and music are. Roon limits the dynamic range and resolution. When we compare Roon and direct, Roon never wins and is never a performance advantage. None of my clients used Roon after I showed them the limitations. When you buy music from Qobuz and put this directly on the Ultra, it is superior to Mickey Mouse Roon music for little children.

 

[Bobby72]

There’s a new firmware update out for the ultra, downloaded it with excitement, but now none of my Roon controllers sees the Kann. This was not the case before installing the firmware - anybody else experienced this or have any idea about how to fix it? I’ve turned Roon ready on and off on the device, rebooted it, rebooted all the controller machines, none of them see the Kann anymore.

@JasonNYC any thoughts??? Tried a soft reset and that didn’t work.

Thanks for the information,
[Improvements]

- VU Meter option added

- USB DAC mode options added

- Support for Battery Protection Mode

- Improved System Stabilization

 

[Bobby72]

You need to understand that Roon is a platform. This means all your music goes through this platform. It is nice to have all your music under one umbrella. But in quality, Roon is 100% laughable. I worked full-time in audio for 26 years and learned what sound and music are. Roon limits the dynamic range and resolution. When we compare Roon and direct Roon never wins and is never a performance advantage. None of my clients used Roon after I showed them the limitations. When you buy music from Qobuz and put this directly on the Ultra, it is superior to Mickey Mouse Roon music for little children.

I play all music in the Highest AMP setting, Upsampling is always on in both PCM and DSD. And the EQ on and the low freq very high. The first firmware showed more control and grip in the whole free range when you play louder. I played the most difficult tracks and now they play with more ease at higher volume levels as the first firmware also showed.