Astell & Kern Kann Ultra DAP Review

[renaudrenaud]

This kind of product (DAP) exists for instance for people like me who have a large collection of music files and want to listen to music on-the-go, when commuting or doing a workout. While this is an objectively poorly performing device that's also too heavy and big for portable use, DAPs have their raison d'être like providing almost endless storage space (by adding your own microSD card up to 1,5 TB for the time being) and offline music listening opportunities, PEQ, more power than an average dongle, physical buttons to control the device without looking in the screen etc.
As to A&K DAPs, I have only negative experience to report (glitchy and slow UI, failed volume knob, failure to read memory card).

I can listen my large collection on the go. I use Tailscale to build my own vpn, Termux on my phone and run squeezelite connected to my server.

Then a Fosi Audio Dac at 20€ and a Zero something IEM at the same price.

On the go and spectacular results (and measurements).

 

[CedarX]

An LG phone was a good choice at the time, but now phones don't have headphone jacks,

The Moondrop MIAD01 tries to fill that niche: it’s a phone with a decent DAC/Amp (on paper) and 3.5mm SE and 4.4mn Bal. outputs; or it’s an Android DAP that is also a phone…

It's for the crowd at head-fi, which are largely against audio science. No one there trusts that phones are competent for hifi except as a basic source that still requires an outbound amp/dac.

No, it’s not Head-Fi vs. ASR…

Phones and DAPs are both perfectly usable, addressing specific requirements in different ways, with different tradeoffs. It’s a little bit like Laptops vs. Chromebooks, I can’t say that one is definitely better, and the other is a monstrosity that must be burnt.

As DAPs go, this A&K is not a good choice, but it’ll still do the job (I voted Not terrible).

 

[RogerSmith]

Shortest and most apropriate review (in German): Kann weg.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

Regardless of their audiophile cred, they pack a ton of functionality into those tiny things. Just wish they stayed in my ears better.

For me, it's not just the impressive features -it’s the sound quality that really blows me away. They sound absolutely incredible, but only if you get a proper seal with the IEMs. Without a good fit, they just won’t perform at their best.

If none of the three included silicone tips fit your ears well, I’d definitely recommend trying some memory foam tips. They can make a big difference.

Did you know you can input your personal audiogram on your iPhone? It will automatically adjust the EQ to better match your hearing profile.

 

[Robbo99999]

Waste of time right? You'd just use your phone and dongle instead and get the same functionality but with better performance (and no additional expenditure beyond a dongle)?

 

[Chr1]

Like everything else, I reckon different people have different priorities. I wanted a DAP with plenty of power, very good sound quality, EQ options, a small size that was sturdy and had good battery life. I don't care so much about screen quality. (Could be wrong, but I suspect that the screen and it's associated electronics are detrimental to the analogue sound path.) Tried lots and settled on the Xduoo X2S. Under £50 and fits my needs perfectly. The minimalist OLED screen would be a deal breaker for most tho for sure...

 

[Rottmannash]

I completely agree!

If only I could find a really decent Android hi-res audio player (around £200) that has NO internet connectivity. I just want to play my CD rips, of which I have enough to keep me very happy, and I'm adding more here and there over the months.

Just knowing that my phone has lots of other apps and functions on it besides those purely for audio contaminates the experience of just wanting to enjoy my music. It's a bit like having my laptop turned on next to me whilst all I want to have on my mind is the music. Its a distraction.

Look for an AK Jr. I have one. They are no longer manufactured but u might find one used. No internet. Fairly powerful IMO.

 

[Rottmannash]

Sure. The problem with using DND is, well, you don't get notifications. My notifications are pared down to the ones I want, and I generally don't want to miss them. When I'm on-call for work, I really cannot miss them. The result is that I really need something that's not my phone for listening to music. I would settle for at least being able to disable the audio ducking feature, but that appears to be something that developers of mobile phone OSes have decided is an obviously desirable thing that no one would ever find unnecessary and annoying.

"audio ducking"? What is this? When the music pauses when an alert comes in?

 

[JDS]

For me, it's not just the impressive features -it’s the sound quality that really blows me away. They sound absolutely incredible, but only if you get a proper seal with the IEMs. Without a good fit, they just won’t perform at their best.

If none of the three included silicone tips fit your ears well, I’d definitely recommend trying some memory foam tips. They can make a big difference.

Did you know you can input your personal audiogram on your iPhone? It will automatically adjust the EQ to better match your hearing profile.

Yeah, I tried memory foam -- they still worked their way out of my ears, which can get very expensive if it happens on the move. What finally worked for my are the Azla Xelastec tips. A little less comfortable, but at least they stay in.

I used the audiogram function, and it is kinda like personalized Dirac Live -- I think it dwarfs minor differences in things like THD in value. And the idea that they can do pretty good noise cancelling in an IEM means I don't need to carry a pair of bulk cans when flying. My only real gripe for that use case is battery life.

 

[kyuu]

"audio ducking"? What is this? When the music pauses when an alert comes in?

Yes, it's when the audio "ducks" when an alert comes in. It doesn't generally pause, however, the volume just decreases. At least in my experience.

 

[xanalog]

Have a look at the YouTube Reviews, not good at all for the device

Thank you. I had looked at some reviews that were legit (non-whining types) and learned a few things.

Just to test that theory I bought a HiBy to see how it goes...

Don't forget to let us know, "how it went".
It turns out - per some yt reviews - the firmware/UI for the xDuoo and FiiO DAPs are [were?] based on the original HiBy code-design(s).

I've become xDuoo fan; based on my old X20' reliable performance for 6 years.
Thus, I am willing to give xDuoo my business again, via the purchase of their X5, on the cheap.
My X20, has become the equivalent of a portable NAS as well as a portable DAC, besides being used as just a mobile jukebox in our travels.

A vehicular audio system is not where I'd choose to do any "critical' listening. Thus, such DAPs provide me the music I need, while on the road.

 

[Bob101]

"audio ducking"? What is this? When the music pauses when an alert comes in?

'Ducking' of audio is the effect that occurs when you use a dynamics compressor and the gain reduction is dependant on a side-chain signal, instead of the signal itself. The most well known use of this is an old-school DJ at a party. Instead of lowering the fader of the main signal (music) when making an announcement, he uses his microphone-signal to determine the gain reduction of the music. This way when he makes an announcement over his mic, the music drops in gain. Without having to move faders or shout in his mic, but just talk. The music will drop in volume anytime the mic is used. That is 'auto-ducking'. It is comparable to what you hear when listening to music on your smartphone and a notification accompanied by an audio signal comes trough: the music drops in volume, the notification sounds and then the music returns to the volume it was before. On smartphones this is typically with a very fast attack (or advance fading, not possible with analog gear), and a slow release. Making it extremely noticeable. And annoying.

 

[Jimster480]

Wow this is complete trash. The entire product has worse performance than my FiiO KA13... just connect that to any smartphone and you have a much better system.... or get yourself an older LG G8 or LG G7 and you will have an overall better product in every way. This product is large for nothing and offers no advantages, only downsides while costing as much as a brand new flagship phone.... I seriously don't understand how all these audiophile DAPs are just straight up scams with trash tier performance.
Pathetic

 

[Chr1]

Clearly snake oil and audiophoolia is not isolated to static audio systems.
It's alive and well in the mobile market too. I would put money on my wee £49 Xduoo X2S sounding better.
Have to say that I like to have a DAP as an alternative to a phone plus dongle and see them as quite different myself. (Size, simplicity, durability, ergonomics- physical buttons, battery life etc)

 

[M.C. Logan]

I can't say I agree with any of these.

How is having a cable stuck in your phone any less convenient than having a cable stuck in a second device? Is battery life of phones still an issue in 2025? I have never known a single person to complain that they have to stop listening to music to charge their phone (I'm sure there are some who will voice that opinion on this forum though). Streaming services allow many GB of temporary storage on a phone when the streaming service is not available, like on an airplane. I can't imagine having enough music that I'd actually want to listen to filling up 2TB. Considering the performance of modern dongles if one insists on using wired headphones on the go, there is no reason for DAP's to even exist, let alone be expensive.

If you have your own collection of files and don't use streaming services you want as much storage as possible.
A cable stuck into your phone is going to stress the USB socket and possibly damage it when whipping out your phone to take a call.
If your dongle/headphones draw a lot of current it's going to use considerable amounts of battery power, lowering runtime and wearing the battery out faster, meaning a very expensive battery change/phone update sooner. You are assuming everyone has the same use case as yourself.

 

[M.C. Logan]

Even if this $1500 device didn't have performance issues, I confess I have trouble understanding the point in 2025. I run Roon ARC on my iPhone for music when out and about. 90% of the time that means noisy environments where any theoretical improvement in fidelity would be inaudible. And with the iPhone/Roon ARC setup, if I have either cell coverage or WiFI, I can access my entire home library. What would I gain if I switched to this?

Less data charges?

 

[Thomas Savage]

Seems antiquated devices dressed up a bit do still sell .. ' The mind boggles ' panther.

 

[Chr1]

Splendid.

Is that a "Mooning out the back of a car panther"?

(Edit : Looks a tad dodgy to me...Not sure I'd be letting kids anywhere near it personally.)

 

[xanalog]

Splendid.

Is that a "Mooning out the back of a car panther"?

(Edit : Looks a tad dodgy to me...Not sure I'd be letting kids anywhere near it personally.)

Appears to be the roomba-panther made to look like a car... the pink rear-end is the dirt-bag.

 

[Somafunk]

Appears to be the roomba-panther made to look like a car... the pink rear-end is the dirt-bag.

I'm sure my brother showed me an arse on his tiktok that resembled the pink panther above