Astell&Kern announces KANN Max player with four ES9038Q2M chips

Astell&Kern has introduced the DAP KANN Max, the heir to the KANN Alpha model , which surpasses it in many ways. The weight and dimensions of the novelty, for example, have become smaller. At the same time, the output signal swing has increased, which now reaches 15 Vrms RMS.

There are 4 ES9038Q2M DACs onboard KANN Max, each of which can be individually assigned to each of the four separate channels of the built-in amplifier. Teraton Alpha Sound Solution technology, according to Astell & Kern, provides efficient power consumption and amplification.

There are still three connectors left, to choose from: 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm. All of them received a gold PVD coating that reduces contact noise. KANN Max works with PCM resolutions up to 32bit/768kHz PCM and supports native DSD512. Up to 24-bit/192kHz, you can apply the A&K Replay Gain function, which automatically equalizes the playback volume of differently recorded tracks.

KANN MAX is connected to a mobile source using the BT Sink function, the technology allows you to read files from the smartphone's memory via Bluetooth using 24-bit aptX HD and LDAC codecs. On the network, the novelty works using Wi-Fi, and the AK File Drop function is provided, which facilitates wireless file transfer. They are stored in 64 GB of internal memory, which can be expanded up to 1 TB using a microSD card. From one charge KANN Max will work up to 13 hours.

In the US, the DAP Astell&Kern KANN Max will cost $1,300.