Astell&Kern Launches KANN ALPHA Digital Audio Player

[Pezzab]

Has anyone own one of the leather cases for the Kann Alpha from Alliexpress?

My pu Miter case is getting pretty tatty as it doesn't age well.

I'd prefer an official one as they look pretty good quality but I object to paying £100+ for a little bit of not especially excitingly crafted leather, and they don't seem to be available anymore anyway.

 

[FiGuY1017]

These Alpha Kahns are excellent I have mine for sale with box etc if anyone is interested. Need a desktop amp or I wouldn't ever sell this thing

 

[Tomm11]

Has anyone own one of the leather cases for the Kann Alpha from Alliexpress?

My pu Miter case is getting pretty tatty as it doesn't age well.

I'd prefer an official one as they look pretty good quality but I object to paying £100+ for a little bit of not especially excitingly crafted leather, and they don't seem to be available anymore anyway.

I have a Dignis case for my Alpha. Probably not very helpful because I don't think they make them anymore either. Expensive anyway. I think it was just a little less than the A&K case.

At this point, I think I'd just take a chance on one of those $49 "custom" leather cases on ebay. May be the same as what Aliexpress is selling.

 

[Pezzab]

I have a Dignis case for my Alpha. Probably not very helpful because I don't think they make them anymore either. Expensive anyway. I think it was just a little less than the A&K case.

At this point, I think I'd just take a chance on one of those $49 "custom" leather cases on ebay. May be the same as what Aliexpress is selling.

Thanks yes, that looks like the way to go. I think you're right about them being from Alliexpress.

As a side note, compared to many on this site I don't seem to cycle through anywhere near as much gear as others do so the Kann Alpha is my first and only DAP, and aside from the UI I've been continually impressed by it after using it daily for about 4 years now.

Apart from a little wear next to the volume dial it looks virtually brand new. A very satisfyingly premium device that is well made and apparently bullet proof - I've dropped it more times than I'd have liked to, including the height of a staircase (thankfully onto carpet), and there's no sign of it giving up.

Worth every penny in my view especially considering the outlay relative to the amount I use it.

 

[pepodenata]

Kann Alpha is a wonderful music player. Maybe a little raised in price at launch, too much profit margin for the company... The weak points are the range of the Wifi signal (it works perfectly but you can't get too far from the Router),
and a bit slow on the hardware when you have to navigate the interfaces of the streaming platforms. Otherwise, it is a 9/10 in terms of sound, dynamics, power to drive many iems and headphones, portability, construction,
and it does not cause the countless problems that you can read about the other Android DAPs opened in this same forum. It's perfect for turning on and enjoying your music without distractions from unnecessary features and apps... The sound signature is neutral with some emphasis on fun, so an equalizer isn't really missing.
It sounds excellent both streaming and from the SD card.

 

[Pezzab]

Thanks yes, that looks like the way to go. I think you're right about them being from Alliexpress.

As a side note, compared to many on this site I don't seem to cycle through anywhere near as much gear as others do so the Kann Alpha is my first and only DAP, and aside from the UI I've been continually impressed by it after using it daily for about 4 years now.

Apart from a little wear next to the volume dial it looks virtually brand new. A very satisfyingly premium device that is well made and apparently bullet proof - I've dropped it more times than I'd have liked to, including the height of a staircase (thankfully onto carpet), and there's no sign of it giving up.

Worth every penny in my view especially considering the outlay relative to the amount I use it.

I got this from the Easecase store on Alliexpress.

Apart from the Standby button hole being a little tight for my fat fingers I'm very pleased with how this turned out (custom order).

 

[VeeAndBobby]

Kann Alpha is a wonderful music player. Maybe a little raised in price at launch, too much profit margin for the company... The weak points are the range of the Wifi signal (it works perfectly but you can't get too far from the Router),
and a bit slow on the hardware when you have to navigate the interfaces of the streaming platforms. Otherwise, it is a 9/10 in terms of sound, dynamics, power to drive many iems and headphones, portability, construction,
and it does not cause the countless problems that you can read about the other Android DAPs opened in this same forum. It's perfect for turning on and enjoying your music without distractions from unnecessary features and apps... The sound signature is neutral with some emphasis on fun, so an equalizer isn't really missing.
It sounds excellent both streaming and from the SD card.

All true. I bought mine 4 years ago for the 4.4mm output and have never had a desire to replace it. I love it with my Focal Bathys. I don't have a case but the player's in good condition. It has a screen protector.

 

[MichRT]

I do still typically prefer the sound of my Kann Alpha to every dongle I've tried, including my Chord Mojo 1. Even though KAs USB input is noisy (even noisier when used as a BT sinc), streamed and local playback can be great. Stock player/UI/EQ/performance/app whitelist are cheeks (bad), but there are a few equally bad workarounds for some of it. One day I hope to find a dongle I prefer because the compromises are prominent

 

[worten777]

Good evening to everyone. I have Astell&Kern KANN Alpha and listening music from Apple Music app in highest resolution. Volume ring led indicator is all the time in red color. Why is like this?

 

[MichRT]

Good evening to everyone. I have Astell&Kern KANN Alpha and listening music from Apple Music app in highest resolution. Volume ring led indicator is all the time in red color. Why is like this?

It's never worked correctly unfortunately. It's functionality is somewhat connected to the SRC chip and it's implementation. Doubt it'll ever be accurate on anything other than the official player playing local files.

 

[rlw6534]

It's never worked correctly unfortunately. It's functionality is somewhat connected to the SRC chip and it's implementation. Doubt it'll ever be accurate on anything other than the official player playing local files.

Of course there is the other possibility... 16 bit...

 

[worten777]

Hello everyone. Today tried download songs on Tidal from my Kann Alpha and I couldn't. I dont have even option to download songs. Why is like this? Thanks in advance

 

[MichRT]

Hello everyone. Today tried download songs on Tidal from my Kann Alpha and I couldn't. I dont have even option to download songs. Why is like this? Thanks in advance

Are you using the Tidal app that came with your dap? Don't use it, it's very out of date.

Instead, download the newest version from the "Services" menu "Download" tab.

 

[CarinTorment]

Good morning, is Kann Alpha still worth it in 2025?

 

[liujun050612]

Good morning, is Kann Alpha still worth it in 2025?

If you only play with IEMs, no problem. But in demand over ears like LCD5, DCA E3, take ibasso dx340.