Just red the description of the ACRO CA1000: Ticks all boxes: Crossfeed + replay gain - please add these features to Kann Alpha!
Astell&Kern Launches KANN ALPHA Digital Audio Player
- Thread starter JasonNYC
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- astell&kern kann kann alpha
Pezzab
New Head-Fier
I updated the firmware yesterday and all my playlist folders show "no music found" if I open them and if I try creating one from scratch I'm able to add new songs but when I go into the playlist folder I still get the missing music message.
Is this the bug you are referring to?
Tomm11
500+ Head-Fier
I haven't had any issues with the new firmware aside from the player doing a full library scan. I don't stream, just play off the microsd. Don't even do playlists.
Hoping nothing is affected while waiting on the fix. That would suck. Maybe I'll skip any further updates in the future unless they include an update that would affect my limited use case.
ps. The clock doesn't keep correct time in manual mode (wifi off). Probably loses a minute per week or so. Really amazes me that a $1K plus device can't keep time when I can buy a $5 watch that can. Not a big deal, just pointing out that it's kind of comical.
Hoping nothing is affected while waiting on the fix. That would suck. Maybe I'll skip any further updates in the future unless they include an update that would affect my limited use case.
ps. The clock doesn't keep correct time in manual mode (wifi off). Probably loses a minute per week or so. Really amazes me that a $1K plus device can't keep time when I can buy a $5 watch that can. Not a big deal, just pointing out that it's kind of comical.
Yes. This will be fixed, along with the AK File Drop issue in the next firmware update expected March 28th.
Figjam
Head-Fier
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I can report that the wifi dropout issues that i was having when using a bluetooth remote have been fixed by firmware 1.30. Rock solid wireless connection now 
A workaround for this bug is to perform a manual media scan until the bug is fixed. This will repopulate the playlists. To perform a manual media scan - Settings -> System reset -> Initialize media scan. Make sure "Clear Playlists" is NOT SELECTED.
Firmware v. 1.31 will be released tomorrow morning Korea time (tonight here in the US) to fix the playlist bug that was introduced in the 1.30 firmware update last week, There is also a firmware update still scheduled for next week, March 28th to fix the AK File Drop bug.
Sorry, meant to say firmware 1.31 will be released Wednesday morning, 2/23 Korean time, late night 2/22 in the US.
newworld666
Headphoneus Supremus
I updated to 1.31 without any issue ...
Wifi is still very stable with a rather long range ... BT Sink still needs to cut Wifi before being used ... and we can't access to any parameters screen or EQ screen when BT Sink is active. We have to quit every time the BT Sink mode to change gain, EQ, timer, etc .. Buttons (Play/Skip/Back) are unfortunately still not active in BT Sink Mode
It seems the Kann Alpha doesn't support GAPLESS over Upnp... and can be rather long between tracks with Mconnect.
Though it's not a big deal too, the EQ always arrives to "Normal" The build in EQ cannot be changed screen when we select it..
I can create, adapt and select my own EQ, it stays active, but when I come back to this screen, it's again on "Normal" and not on my own selection... It never comes back directly to the real active EQ.
Now that, the Kann Alpha became really usable, I am spending more time to compare with my other DAP's.
Though sound is quite good, I think with the Vision Ears EXT, the FIIO M17 is more extended in ultra low frequencies and maybe faster/clearer too in bass and sub bass, I would think less muddy.
The Kann Alpha is really able to move IEM like Vision Ears EXT (which is quite power demanding for an IEM), it's definitely far more compact and lighter, so it's much easier/comfortable to keep in some pocket while walking.
Wifi is still very stable with a rather long range ... BT Sink still needs to cut Wifi before being used ... and we can't access to any parameters screen or EQ screen when BT Sink is active. We have to quit every time the BT Sink mode to change gain, EQ, timer, etc .. Buttons (Play/Skip/Back) are unfortunately still not active in BT Sink Mode
It seems the Kann Alpha doesn't support GAPLESS over Upnp... and can be rather long between tracks with Mconnect.
Though it's not a big deal too, the EQ always arrives to "Normal" The build in EQ cannot be changed screen when we select it..
I can create, adapt and select my own EQ, it stays active, but when I come back to this screen, it's again on "Normal" and not on my own selection... It never comes back directly to the real active EQ.
Now that, the Kann Alpha became really usable, I am spending more time to compare with my other DAP's.
Though sound is quite good, I think with the Vision Ears EXT, the FIIO M17 is more extended in ultra low frequencies and maybe faster/clearer too in bass and sub bass, I would think less muddy.
The Kann Alpha is really able to move IEM like Vision Ears EXT (which is quite power demanding for an IEM), it's definitely far more compact and lighter, so it's much easier/comfortable to keep in some pocket while walking.
Last edited:
AK file drop is worked after updating to v. 1.31
Hi everyone, sorry to interrupt. I have and love the original Kann and I was wondering if the KA is worth the upgrade? I’ve tried searching this thread for ‘original’ and Mk1, etc but couldn’t find any comparisons.
Sorry if this has been covered earlier in the thread.
I’d be grateful for comparisons between the two, if anyone’s willing to share.
(I’m finally able to travel long-distance again, and I wonder what’s changed since I bought my original Kann the month it came out).
Thank you.
Sorry if this has been covered earlier in the thread.
I’d be grateful for comparisons between the two, if anyone’s willing to share.
(I’m finally able to travel long-distance again, and I wonder what’s changed since I bought my original Kann the month it came out).
Thank you.
Size, weight are quite similar, but the buttons and volume control are very different. The 4.4 balanced output is a big plus. No SD card slot, just one microSD. No separate USB port for charging. I cannot comment on battery life differences.
Soundwise the Alpha is much closer to the Cube than OG Kann. I loved the sound of the OG Kann, which is very warm. When I got the Cube I needed several weeks to adjust to the brighter sound. I suppose it did worth it in the end, because it has more extension on top and bottom, has wider soundstage, overall cleaner sound. In addition the Alpha has velvety mids compared to the Cube.
If the upgrade worth depends on what you are driving with it and first if all your listening preferences.
Guys, just updated to 1.31. Looks good. Unfortunately, still no gain button in drop menu but still few really good options came up. One quick question... Is there a way to AK file drop right to SD card? If it's internal only, could it be moved later internally on player with some file manager? Thank you!
AK File Drop only works with internal memory. You can use folder view on the player to copy/move files from internal memory to microSD card.
I previously put a request in for gain settings to be added for the quick settings on the notification menu. I will follow up with the team.
Many Thanks Jason!
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