[PHaubi]

I just my hands on the KANN Alpha today. I haven't specifically tested the Hero, but the KANN Alpha has a Low/Mid/High gain selector, and with the Mid gain setting I had zero hiss on any of the IEMs I tested. Based on the time I spent with the Hero, I'd be quite confident that the KANN Alpha would have 0 noise or hiss. I'll check it out specifically tomorrow though to see how it does.

When using Hero with the Kann Cube the hissing was very minimal if any at all (I didn't notice it). I imagine that the Alpha would be the same.

Thanks a lot for the quick replies. This is really helpful, I am excited to hear your impressions with the Hero. Thanks again

 

[DavidS11]

Do not get the Kann Alpha for EE Hero unless you like very bright sound. Just my 2cents.

 

[PHaubi]

Do not get the Kann Alpha for EE Hero unless you like very bright sound. Just my 2cents.

Every cent is appreciated . I do like solid lows and impactful bass so I will definitely keep that in mind and start looking for alternatives.

 

[stephenkostas]

Thanks a lot for the quick replies. This is really helpful, I am excited to hear your impressions with the Hero. Thanks again

Just checked it out. Very minimal hiss with the Mid Gain setting (wouldn't have noticed if I wasn't looking for it), and zero hiss with Low Gain.

I'd also agree that Hero + Alpha is on the bright end of things, but I didn't find it overly bright personally.

 

[DAPpower]

I demand a review! I'm thinking about either the SE200 or Kann Alpha.

 

[stephenkostas]

I demand a review! I'm thinking about either the SE200 or Kann Alpha.

I'm hoping to push a review live later today. My quick impressions from testing the SE200 and Alpha side by side:

1. KANN Alpha is more laid back while SE200 (particularly AKM DAC channel) is more energetic.
2. KANN Alpha is significantly better for driving headphones – SE200 requires a ton of volume to get any slam out of a LCD-X or Meze Empyrean, while it was much more effortless with the KANN Alpha.
3. SE200 has way more options for dialing in your sound: 2 DAC channels, and many DAC Filters vs. only 3 DAC Filters on Alpha.
4. Probably my favorite overall sound between the 2 SE200 channels, and the KANN Alpha is the Sabre DAC on the SE200.
5. SE200 is superior for IEMs and easy-to-drive headphones, especially if you like tuning your DAP with very granular settings for different headphones or listening situations, but KANN Alpha is a STEAL an $1099.

 

[JasonNYC]

many DAC Filters vs. only 3 DAC Filters on Alpha.

ESS only provides 3 DAC filters so you are getting the same 3 DAC filters for the ESS DACs on both the SE200 and KANN ALPHA. All of the additional DAC filters on the SE200 are for the AKM DAC.

 

[DAPpower]

I'm hoping to push a review live later today. My quick impressions from testing the SE200 and Alpha side by side:

1. KANN Alpha is more laid back while SE200 (particularly AKM DAC channel) is more energetic.
2. KANN Alpha is significantly better for driving headphones – SE200 requires a ton of volume to get any slam out of a LCD-X or Meze Empyrean, while it was much more effortless with the KANN Alpha.
3. SE200 has way more options for dialing in your sound: 2 DAC channels, and many DAC Filters vs. only 3 DAC Filters on Alpha.
4. Probably my favorite overall sound between the 2 SE200 channels, and the KANN Alpha is the Sabre DAC on the SE200.
5. SE200 is superior for IEMs and easy-to-drive headphones, especially if you like tuning your DAP with very granular settings for different headphones or listening situations, but KANN Alpha is a STEAL an $1099.

Thank you sir! Yes $1099 is a steal for the Alpha.

 

[stephenkostas]

ESS only provides 3 DAC filters so you are getting the same 3 DAC filters for the ESS DACs on both the SE200 and KANN ALPHA. All of the additional DAC filters on the SE200 are for the AKM DACs.

Right, that wasn't very clear. What I meant to say is that on the SE200 between the 6 filters on the AKM DAC and 3 with the ESS, you have 9 total options for tuning it to your specific preference vs. the 3 on the Alpha. I'm just trying to convince people that as great as the Alpha is, there are still a number of reasons to get the more expensive SE200.

 

[korvin12]

Right, that wasn't very clear. What I meant to say is that on the SE200 between the 6 filters on the AKM DAC and 3 with the ESS, you have 9 total options for tuning it to your specific preference vs. the 3 on the Alpha. I'm just trying to convince people that as great as the Alpha is, there are still a number of reasons to get the more expensive SE200.

Did u tested the 2.5 & 4.4 on the Kann Alpha? Any sound differences?

 

[stephenkostas]

Did u tested the 2.5 & 4.4 on the Kann Alpha? Any sound differences?

I just did a little A/B, and I couldn't notice any differences. I hit the first couple minutes of a couple really familiar tracks and I was really straining to pick out something, but as far as my ears could tell the output is identical.

 

[hshock76]

I'm hoping to push a review live later today. My quick impressions from testing the SE200 and Alpha side by side:

1. KANN Alpha is more laid back while SE200 (particularly AKM DAC channel) is more energetic.
2. KANN Alpha is significantly better for driving headphones – SE200 requires a ton of volume to get any slam out of a LCD-X or Meze Empyrean, while it was much more effortless with the KANN Alpha.
3. SE200 has way more options for dialing in your sound: 2 DAC channels, and many DAC Filters vs. only 3 DAC Filters on Alpha.
4. Probably my favorite overall sound between the 2 SE200 channels, and the KANN Alpha is the Sabre DAC on the SE200.
5. SE200 is superior for IEMs and easy-to-drive headphones, especially if you like tuning your DAP with very granular settings for different headphones or listening situations, but KANN Alpha is a STEAL an $1099.

Thanks for the notes. I’ll like to know about the differences you hear between the ESS outputs of the SE200 and Alpha. Are you saying that the SE200 ESS sounds more energetic vs the Alpha’s ESS. I have seen some contradicting impressions between both on overseas YouTube reviews. One says the Alpha’s ESS performs better while other states the SE200’s ESS output had a larger stage and sounds more airy while the Alpha is more intimate and mids/vocals are more forward. I have the SE200 and absolutely adore it. The performance of the ESS has surprised me quite a bit I must say hence the interest in the Alpha. Thanks in advance.

 

[stephenkostas]

Thanks for the notes. I’ll like to know about the differences you hear between the ESS outputs of the SE200 and Alpha. Are you saying that the SE200 ESS sounds more energetic vs the Alpha’s ESS. I have seen some contradicting impressions between both on overseas YouTube reviews. One says the Alpha’s ESS performs better while other states the SE200’s ESS output had a larger stage and sounds more airy while the Alpha is more intimate and mids/vocals are more forward. I have the SE200 and absolutely adore it. The performance of the ESS has surprised me quite a bit I must say hence the interest in the Alpha. Thanks in advance.

I would agree with the reviewer saying that the SE200's ESS channel has a larger sound stage and is a little more airy. I hear a touch more brightness in the SE200, with the KANN Alpha being more neutral, maybe a little mid-forward. One of my favorite things about the SE200's ESS channel is that it has some of that same sense of air and space as Chord's DACs (thought not quite on the same level as the Hugo 2). The Alpha doesn't quite reach those same heights in the top end.

 

[hshock76]

I would agree with the reviewer saying that the SE200's ESS channel has a larger sound stage and is a little more airy. I hear a touch more brightness in the SE200, with the KANN Alpha being more neutral, maybe a little mid-forward. One of my favorite things about the SE200's ESS channel is that it has some of that same sense of air and space as Chord's DACs (thought not quite on the same level as the Hugo 2). The Alpha doesn't quite reach those same heights in the top end.

Thanks for the updates. This is very helpful.

 

[pepodenata]

Could anyone explain to us which CPU processor carries exactly KANN ALPHA?. Why do they keep it so secret? He doesn't show up anywhere and that's something I don't like at all. you seem to want to hide intentionally...