Astell & Kern KANN ULTRA Digital Audio Player - Astro Grey 

Introducing KANN ULTRA - The 5th player in the brand’s award-winning KANN series and its most powerful digital audio player to date. Featuring Octa-core processors, the KANN ULTRA reaches new sonic heights with DAR technology, an upgraded DAC and Triple Output while delivering the most seamless user experience possible.

Fuelling Your Sound 

The multi-award-winning global audio component pioneer from South Korea has launched its most powerful digital audio player to date - the KANN ULTRA. The first player in the brand’s award-winning KANN series of players to feature Octa-core processors, the KANN Ultra reaches new sonic heights with DAR technology, an upgraded DAC and Triple Output while delivering the most seamless user experience possible.

The multi-award-winning global audio component pioneer from South Korea, has launched its most powerful digital audio player to date - the KANN ULTRA. The first player in the brand’s award-winning KANN series of players to feature Octa-core processors, the KANN Ultra reaches new sonic heights with DAR technology, an upgraded DAC and Triple Output while delivering the most seamless user experience possible.

Next-Generation Octa-Core Performance

The Astell Kern KANN ULTRA is the first DAP in the renowned KANN series to feature Octa-Core processors, levelling up from Quad-Core in previous models. The Octa-Core element brings significant performance improvements allowing the listener to enjoy incredible sound quality with faster system speeds and a smooth flowing 4th generation UI/UX.
With the new internal design, the audio circuitry is separated from the processors – which include CPU, memory and wireless connection components – and is equipped with a dedicated shield to minimise heat and noise from the processor.

Octa-Core Performance

The Astell Kern KANN ULTRA is the first DAP in the renowned KANN series to feature Octa-Core processors, levelling up from Quad-Core in previous models. The Octa-Core element brings significant performance improvements allowing the listener to enjoy incredible sound quality with faster system speeds and a smooth flowing 4th generation UI/UX.
With the new internal design, the audio circuitry is separated from the processors – which include CPU, memory and wireless connection components – and is equipped with a dedicated shield to minimise heat and noise from the processor.

Upgraded Sound with Triple Output

Featuring a Triple Output Mode to deliver natural, detailed sound when connected to demanding headphones, highly detailed IEMs and external devices. Instead of simply separating the output ports, Astell Kern's TERATON ALPHA technology allows for separate amplifier/sound design for the Headphone Out, Line Out and Pre-Out ports to provide the optimal sound for each.
Digital Audio Remaster (DAR)
KANN ULTRA is equipped with Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) technology, which was developed to deliver fine sound at higher sample rates. DAR technology is developed to up sample the sample rate of the sound source being played to go beyond the limits of the source format.

KANN ULTRA is equipped with Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) technology, which was developed to deliver fine sound at higher sample rates. DAR technology is developed to up sample the sample rate of the sound source being played to go beyond the limits of the source format.

Flagship DAC

The KANN ULTRA is also designed with the newest flagship DAC from ESS to deliver a richer and more expansive sound than before. The ES9039MPRO has even more advanced modulation to reduce power consumption, noise and distortions for enhanced audio performance.

Features

• Next-Generation Octa-Core processor brings significant performance improvements allowing you to enjoy incredible sound quality with faster system speeds and a smooth flowing 4th generation UI/UX.
• Featuring the latest flagship DAC from ESS, the ES9039MPRO, delivers a richer, more expansive sound with advanced modulation for reduced power consumption, noise, and distortions, enhancing audio performance
• Triple Output Mode to deliver natural, detailed sound when connected to demanding headphones, highly detailed IEMs and external devices.
• Separate amplifier/sound design for the Headphone Out, Line Out and Pre-Out ports to provide the optimal sound for each.
• Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) technology, developed to deliver fine sound at higher sample rates. DAR technology up samples the sample rate of the sound source being played to go beyond the limits of the source format.
• A dedicated Pre-Out delivers sound through a specially designed Pre-Out amplifier, instead of the high-powered Headphone out amp, for optimal sound control.
• Exclusive Line Out mode outputs the sound directly from the DAC bypassing the amplifier, resulting in the lowest noise level, and making it ideal for connecting to external audio devices.

Tech Specs 

Model - KANN ULTRA
Body Colour - Astro Grey
Body Material - Aluminium
Display - 5.5inch HD 1080 x 1920 touch screen
Supported Audio Formats - WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF, MQA
Sample rate - PCM : 8kHz ~ 768kHz (8/16/24/32bits per Sample) DSD Native: DSD64(1bit 2.8MHz), Stereo / DSD128(1bit 5.6MHz), Stereo DSD256(1bit 11.2MHz), Stereo / DSD512(1bit 22.4MHz), Stereo
Output Level - HEADPHONE OUT [Low Gain] Unbalanced 2Vrms │ Balanced 4Vrms (Condition No [Mid Gain]Unbalanced 4Vrms │ Balanced 8Vrms (Condition No [High Gain]Unbalanced 6Vrms │ Balanced 12Vrms (Condition No [Super Gain]Unbalanced 8Vrms │ Balanced 16Vrms (Condition No PRE · LINE OUT Unbalanced 2Vrms │ Balanced 4Vrms (Condition No Load)
CPU - Octa-core
DAC - ES9039MPRO x2
Outputs - HEADPHONE OUT 3.5mm(Unbalanced Out, Optical Out), 4.4mm (Balanced Out, only 5 5-pole supported) PRE · LINE OUT 3.5mm(Unbalanced Out), 4.4mm (Balanced Out, only 5 5-pole supported)
Wi-Fi - 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4&5GHz)
Bluetooth - V4.2 (A2DP, AVRCP, Qualcomm® apt™-HD, LDAC)
Dimensions - 3.24” (82.4mm)[W] x 5.55” (141.1mm)[H] x 0.96” (24.4mm)[D]
Weight - About 13.75oz (390g)
Operating Temperature - 0℃ ~ + 40℃ (32℉~ 104℉)

Clock Source -
Clock Jitter - 25pS (Type)
Reference Clock Jitter - 200 Femto Seconds

Storage Capacity -
Built-in Memory - 128GB [NAND]
External Memory -
microSD x1 (Max. 1TB)

Battery -
Capacity - 3,150mAh 3.7V Li-Polymer
Charge Time about 4.5hours (9V 1.67A) / about 6.5hours (5V 2A)
Playback Time - about 11.5 hours (Standard: FLAC, 16bit, 44.1kHz, Vol.50, LCD Off, Low Gain)