Astell&Kern Launches KANN ALPHA Digital Audio Player

[JasonNYC]

Astell&Kern has identified the issues users are having with the embedded Tidal app. Tidal has changed the authentication method used when logging into third-party Tidal apps. Astell&Kern is working as quickly as possible to make the required changes in the embedded app.

New firmware updates for the SP2000, SP1000, SP1000M, SE200, SE100, SR25 and KANN ALPHA will be released in May 2021, which will contain an updated embedded Tidal app to fix the authentication issues.

There is an issue with the new Tidal authentication policies on the following players – KANN CUBE, SA700, SR15, CT15 and CT10. We are looking into ways to continue to support the Tidal app on these players. More information will be available in May 2021.

Tidal is dropping support for older model Android devices. Unfortunately this means Tidal can no longer be supported on the following players due to the new authentication requirements - AK380, AK320, AK300, KANN, AK70 MKII, AK70, AK240, AK120II, AK100II.

 

[MikeW9788]

I really hope the song skipping gets fixed. I'm considering canceling my tidal.

 

[adityadubey]

Astell&Kern has identified the issues users are having with the embedded Tidal app. Tidal has changed the authentication method used when logging into third-party Tidal apps. Astell&Kern is working as quickly as possible to make the required changes in the embedded app.

New firmware updates for the SP2000, SP1000, SP1000M, SE200, SE100, SR25 and KANN ALPHA will be released in May 2021, which will contain an updated embedded Tidal app to fix the authentication issues.

There is an issue with the new Tidal authentication policies on the following players – KANN CUBE, SA700, SR15, CT15 and CT10. We are looking into ways to continue to support the Tidal app on these players. More information will be available in May 2021.

Tidal is dropping support for older model Android devices. Unfortunately this means Tidal can no longer be supported on the following players due to the new authentication requirements - AK380, AK320, AK300, KANN, AK70 MKII, AK70, AK240, AK120II, AK100II.

Thank you for the update, that is quite helpful. Is there any news on whether Spotify Hi-Fi will be supported whenever it launches and on which products?

 

[JasonNYC]

Thank you for the update, that is quite helpful. Is there any news on whether Spotify Hi-Fi will be supported whenever it launches and on which products?

I would assume Spotify HiFi would be supported via the Spotify Android app installed via APK. We do not have any information about it at the moment, so cannot confirm.

 

[blotmouse]

Spotify doesn't release their API's for any direct integration, so like Jason said, its going to be all through the apk's and those paths are already cleared for lossless/hi-res+ in A&K's custom Android variants.

 

[maggie17fan]

Astell&Kern has identified the issues users are having with the embedded Tidal app. Tidal has changed the authentication method used when logging into third-party Tidal apps. Astell&Kern is working as quickly as possible to make the required changes in the embedded app.

New firmware updates for the SP2000, SP1000, SP1000M, SE200, SE100, SR25 and KANN ALPHA will be released in May 2021, which will contain an updated embedded Tidal app to fix the authentication issues.

There is an issue with the new Tidal authentication policies on the following players – KANN CUBE, SA700, SR15, CT15 and CT10. We are looking into ways to continue to support the Tidal app on these players. More information will be available in May 2021.

Tidal is dropping support for older model Android devices. Unfortunately this means Tidal can no longer be supported on the following players due to the new authentication requirements - AK380, AK320, AK300, KANN, AK70 MKII, AK70, AK240, AK120II, AK100II.

Jason, what about the original KANN? I'm thinking of subscribing to Tidal but wonder how it is working with the KANN first.

BTW, I'm still on the original factory firmware, never updated.

 

[JasonNYC]

Jason, what about the original KANN? I'm thinking of subscribing to Tidal but wonder how it is working with the KANN first.

BTW, I'm still on the original factory firmware, never updated.

Unfortunately due to the updated hardware requirements set by Tidal, the embedded app on the 1st generation KANN will no longer be supported.

 

[Rdeman2211]

Think I'm going to sell mine, not getting the use out of it, and since I've got my T5 gen 3 it's just too much power for my needs XD

 

[newworld666]

Unfortunately due to the updated hardware requirements set by Tidal, the embedded app on the 1st generation KANN will no longer be supported.

I am not sure if there were any sort of support with A&K though there are so many users here with issues => no one new firmware to correct the AKConnect V1.0 (it should be less than Beta.. and not final)..

I am afraid that with such old piece of wifi and bluetooth hardware, they can't be any issues to expect for all these drops for many buyers for remotes control and any time with online or dlna music.

 

[Rdeman2211]

Is anyone finding that the alpha is temperamental with charging cables, I've used two different ones, seem to be fine at first but then stop registering with it

 

[Tymestream]

Is anyone finding that the alpha is temperamental with charging cables, I've used two different ones, seem to be fine at first but then stop registering with it

It may be the cable. I have not experienced any problems with charging cables and I rotate through 3 regularly.

 

[Tymestream]

@JasonNYC

Spotify skipping frequently? I have seen threads about Spotify skipping, but I cannot find a solution.

Have tried multiple apk versions, but the problem persists. It happens when playing offline from SD card as well as while streaming online.

Curiously it never happens when I'm copying files to device, looking at the screen or otherwise doing multiple tasks. It seems to skip while the device is simply play Spotify in the background.

Thoughts or suggestions?

 

[JasonNYC]

@JasonNYC

Spotify skipping frequently? I have seen threads about Spotify skipping, but I cannot find a solution.

Have tried multiple apk versions, but the problem persists. It happens when playing offline from SD card as well as while streaming online.

Curiously it never happens when I'm copying files to device, looking at the screen or otherwise doing multiple tasks. It seems to skip while the device is simply play Spotify in the background.

Thoughts or suggestions?

What version of the Spotify app are you using?

 

[Tymestream]

What version of the Spotify app are you using?

I am currently using 8.6.4.971

Tried updating to 8.6.24.757 from Spotify apk link, but after install it won't open/run. Can you direct to a current Spotify apk source that runs?

Interestingly, after Spotify starts exhibiting this skipping behaviour, and I go back to the native player on the Alpha, it also begins doing the same thing to my local files of all types (Flac and WAV, I haven't confirmed with dsd yet)

As you can imagine, this is very distracting, thanks for the assist in getting to the bottom of this.

Jeff

 

[JasonNYC]

Quick update on firmware update to fix the embedded Tidal app.

Still on target for this month, but I still do not have a concrete release date. I was told last night there would be more info at the end of the week.

The following 13 models will receive firmware updates to fix the embedded Tidal issue in May:

SP2000, SP1000, SP1000M, SE200, SE180, SE100, KANN ALPHA, SR25, SA700, KANN CUBE, SR15, ACTIVO CT15, ACTIVO CT10.

The AK Connect app for iOS and Android will also be updated to fix the embedded Tidal issue. The updated apps will be available in the Apple and Google app stores after the player updates.