[DAPpower]

I think Kann Alpha will be in the same class ?

Yes.

 

[itsnein]

I think Kann Alpha will be in the same class ?

but M17 has 6.3 it is great.

 

[DarginMahkum]

but M17 has 6.3 it is great.

Not just that but HP outs are all on the same side as the volume control, which is analog. Also the amplifier is THX. Plus it has a much better controller, possibility of running from an external DC supply, possibly best Android DAP software out there.

Soundwise I expect MAX to be the only comparable one. For other features, at least on the paper, will easily surpass the others.

 

[DAPpower]

Plus the UI of the M15 was excellent, smooth, fast, easy to use and it decoded DSD quickly like they were nothing, would be interesting to see an even newer version of the Fiio player app later on in the year.

 

[itsnein]

Yes, that's why I am thinking to change kann alpha to m17. Cause I could use m17 with full-size planar headphones. and have a better experience.
Kann alpha works very very slow, especially with apps like Tidal.

 

[m8o]

@JamesFiiO , when running on battery will this have an ability to run as if it were a aaa-78, with a low quiescent current? I ask as I note the desktop thx aaa-7** amp modules have close to 1 amp quiescent current; in turn drain the battery rather quickly.

Also, how does the THX AAA-788Pro differ from the AAA-788? I can't find any mention of it on THX's website.

 

[Kiats]

Yes, that's why I am thinking to change kann alpha to m17. Cause I could use m17 with full-size planar headphones. and have a better experience.
Kann alpha works very very slow, especially with apps like Tidal.

Sadly, it is not just the Kann. The entire AK range seems to suffer from a UI that has not changed since a few generations of DAPs back. And the AK range is simply not optimised for streaming and third party apps. At its price range, it is starting to lose traction.

 

[tripanazomi]

Using Fiio M11 as a digital transport in my DAC + AMP+ Speaker system. ( different then the way what most people use it in this forum )

Looking forward to M17 having standard Coax RCA out , However it looks like out of budget for most people and will target mostly non Fiio customers . ( Hope Fiio one day may think people using DAPs as transports and make a digital only version of M17 which will be not only cheaper but will be a game changer )

Lately tried Ibasso DX 300 ; Very fast and responsive ( far better then my android phone ) , amazing screen quality, Size is Big but not bulky and for me it did not have very big development in coax out compared to M11.

 

[DarginMahkum]

Hope Fiio one day may think people using DAPs as transports and make a digital only version of M17 which will be not only cheaper but will be a game changer

Can you please elaborate what you mean here? A digital only M17, meaning without amplifier and DACs does not have to inherit from M17 but the simplest entry level DAP. Even you could go for something like this plus your mobile phone.

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Nobsound-Converter-Coaxial-Optical-Interface/dp/B0779S6NC6

 

[Tristy]

Sadly, it is not just the Kann. The entire AK range seems to suffer from a UI that has not changed since a few generations of DAPs back. And the AK range is simply not optimised for streaming and third party apps. At its price range, it is starting to lose traction.

Have you got any numbers to back this up? Just curious... I know that the marketplace is a lot more competitive now but I know that AK players still compete where it matters... on the sound.

 

[DAPpower]

Have you got any numbers to back this up? Just curious... I know that the marketplace is a lot more competitive now but I know that AK players still compete where it matters... on the sound.

Yes, I've had several AK players and most of them were superb in sound and quality material of the player but when it comes to features, User Interface and design, they don't really translate well with their retail price.
Unless they change their design strategies and software, they will not be able to catch up with Fiio, iBasso ect.
I also understand they intend to put their products in a sort of "expensive/luxury niche" but that is looking less and less apealing when you have cheaper DAPs that are outperforming them in terms of design and features.

 

[JamesFiiO]

@JamesFiiO , when running on battery will this have an ability to run as if it were a aaa-78, with a low quiescent current? I ask as I note the desktop thx aaa-7** amp modules have close to 1 amp quiescent current; in turn drain the battery rather quickly.

Also, how does the THX AAA-788Pro differ from the AAA-788? I can't find any mention of it on THX's website.

THX AAA-78 has different structure with THX AAA-788/788+, so M17 can't running at two different kind of THX amp. and yes, the THX AAA 788 usually designed for desktop

device and need very high power supply, but it can also work at lower power supply so the battery is enough to power the THX 788 module. of course, the max power output is still bigger than THX 78 .

BTW, finally the THX AAA amp in M17 is named as THX 788+ by THX. the different with THX 788 is that the max power output of 788 can only last couples mins so we have to choose TPA6120A as the amp.

 

[m8o]

we have to choose TPA6120A as the amp.

Wouldn't that then nullify the minimization of switching distortion that the THX feed-forward topology gives? (The factor I like most about it)1

 

[JamesFiiO]

Wouldn't that then nullify the minimization of switching distortion that the THX feed-forward topology gives? (The factor I like most about it)1

sure, it is the same, we just change one chip but not the structure and it is renamed as THX 788+ .

 

[m8o]

sure, it is the same, we just change one chip but not the structure and it is renamed as THX 788+ .

I understand now. Thank you for the clarification.