Astell & Kern KANN,portable media player.

I have an Astell & Kern SP1000.  I love it.  I'm not familiar with the model you mention, though.  However, Astell & Kern make great sounding portable media players.  You won't be disappointed.  I think that it would be much better re sound quality than buying a DAC for your phone.  When I'm not using it as a portable device, I have connected to my 272 by an RCA cable.  I've also just discovered that it has an optical out, so I'm also going to try that with my new Dave DAC. 

I've just bought the AK70MK2 and absolutely love it - using with with various IEM / on ear headphones. I looked at the Kann and it can drive a wider range of headphones and has superior battery life but (personally) i'm not crazy about the appearance, it's a little bulky and from the range of reviews that i've read it has a different rather than better sound quality than the 70Mk2 - So if you get a chance to play with the smaller player you may like what you see - providing it has enough power to drive the P9s which i'm not familiar with. But as Docmark says A&K make some super products so i think you can buy with confidence!

It’s a good player - not as good as the SP1000 but price wise unbeatable. The most interesting benefit of the Kann is it’s storage capabilities. As I like a bit more refined sound I would not choose it, but would prefer the SP1000 if I didn’t have my Sony. The Kann is however unbeatable at the pricepoint and the total package. So you will not be dissapointed, while perhaps the form factor is not the best. I always would prefer this type of solution above a phone dac combination.

I have had the Kann for about nine months and find it excellent both in terms of storage capacity and (especially) battery life. Obviously the pay-off for the battery life is increased bulk over something like a phone but I'm very happy with that given the quality of the sound (I use B&W P7s with mine). I listen almost exclusively to classical music and would describe the sound as little more "withdrawn" than my original AK Jr. but it's more than merely acceptable. It and the headphones always accompany me when I travel.

Stephen

andrew jameson posted:

I've just bought the AK70MK2 and absolutely love it - using with with various IEM / on ear headphones. I looked at the Kann and it can drive a wider range of headphones and has superior battery life but (personally) i'm not crazy about the appearance, it's a little bulky and from the range of reviews that i've read it has a different rather than better sound quality than the 70Mk2 - So if you get a chance to play with the smaller player you may like what you see - providing it has enough power to drive the P9s which i'm not familiar with. But as Docmark says A&K make some super products so i think you can buy with confidence!

???? Andrew Jameson: About the power,B&W P9 are 22 ohm 111db,so that's no problem....same as the B&W P7 headphones that I also have.

Interesting about the reviews,....different rather then better SQ you say. I have read that it was a different team who built the AK Kann.....so maybe because of that. It's hard for me too know the difference between Kann and 70mk2,because.....

We have no dealers here in Sweden who sale's Astell Kern,so if I buy I must do that in blind.....that's the problem for me.

/Peder ???? 

Bert Schurink posted:

It’s a good player - not as good as the SP1000 but price wise unbeatable. The most interesting benefit of the Kann is it’s storage capabilities. As I like a bit more refined sound I would not choose it, but would prefer the SP1000 if I didn’t have my Sony. The Kann is however unbeatable at the pricepoint and the total package. So you will not be dissapointed, while perhaps the form factor is not the best. I always would prefer this type of solution above a phone dac combination.

???? Bert Schurink, I'm a little new with headphones, just 1,5 year and have never listen to portable players. Have built up my home headphone-system. After that I buy'd Audioquest Dragonfly usb-dac for my phone,....first Black,and later the Red.

I like that the music give me "foot tapping" feelings, if you know what I mean ???? .....I'm an old Linn/Naim user ????. Because of that,the B&W P9 headphones are perfect for me. A question,you don't think phone-Chord Hugo2 is better than this AK Kann then?

/Peder ???? 

Peder posted:

andrew jameson posted:

I've just bought the AK70MK2 and absolutely love it - using with with various IEM / on ear headphones. I looked at the Kann and it can drive a wider range of headphones and has superior battery life but (personally) i'm not crazy about the appearance, it's a little bulky and from the range of reviews that i've read it has a different rather than better sound quality than the 70Mk2 - So if you get a chance to play with the smaller player you may like what you see - providing it has enough power to drive the P9s which i'm not familiar with. But as Docmark says A&K make some super products so i think you can buy with confidence!

???? Andrew Jameson: About the power,B&W P9 are 22 ohm 111db,so that's no problem....same as the B&W P7 headphones that I also have.

Interesting about the reviews,....different rather then better SQ you say. I have read that it was a different team who built the AK Kann.....so maybe because of that. It's hard for me too know the difference between Kann and 70mk2,because.....

We have no dealers here in Sweden who sale's Astell Kern,so if I buy I must do that in blind.....that's the problem for me.

/Peder ???? 

I can't locate the specific review where i read SQ differences between the Kann and the AK70mk2 ... as far as i recall it said that the AK70mk2 was a little cleaner, brighter and easier to follow the detail whereas the Kann was rather more mellow and laid back although still of v high quality and v easy to immerse oneself in the music. I've also read that the 70 and the SP1000 are similarly voiced although the latter of obviously higher quality.

The AK70mk2 also has a dual DAC whereas the Kann is a single DAC (although they use different DACs). My impression is that the extra cash for the Kann doesn't buy you better SQ but you do get more power / better battery life and even more storage potential (although you can max out a 70mk2 to 464GB which is probably enough). I'm sure you'll be delighted whichever you choose!