AK KANN series is different from the A series to which we are familiar with, especially the high-end A@ultima [such as SP2000/SP1000], and its positioning seems to be large and high-performance. But when it comes to flagships, new technologies and new tricks, it seems that we still have to look at A@ultima. Although the KANN CUBE player is not the latest model in the series, it is the best among several models in terms of DACh configuration. For example, the latest KANN MAX actually returned to the configuration level of ES9038Q2M. KANN CUBE uses two ESS ES9038Pro DAC chips. In the past few years when ES9038Pro was the most popular and most productive, such a luxurious configuration was rare, let alone portable devices. When KANN CUBE was launched, the official price was US$1,499. The current second-hand price is around 4,000-5,000 yuan?
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player
Appearance and main functions
Appearance: If you are interested in the AK brand player, I believe you will be interested in the appearance design style of KANN CUBE. After all, AK players are a pioneer in this regard. It was not until recent years that they were somewhat homogenized by Chinese brick science, but the complex line combination of KANN CUBE body can still reflect its unique design sense. The measurement size of KANN CUBE is really far from being "portable" [87.75mmX140mmX31.5mm], weighing 493 grams, and it has 500 grams with that cool coat. In fact, the WM1ZM2 of Sony is also so heavy. Although the lines are so sharp, the edges are really not terrible. The craftsmanship is indeed good, but due to the heavy weight, the touch will not be too comfortable.
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart audio player
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart audio player
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart audio player
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart audio player
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart audio player
in the upper right corner of the player, with a comfortable damping feeling, the volume adjustment feels good. Three buttons can perform blind operation control of playback.
interface: KANN CUBE interface is a 3.5mm single-ended and 2.5mm balanced headphone output on the top, and a 5pin miniXLR output is made on the left. Note that only 3.5mm and 2.5mm have headphone amplification, but miniXLR does not. However, from the perspective of output voltage alone, it is more than enough. The output voltages of 3.5mm and 2.5mm are 6.2Vrms and ±6.2Vrms [official nominal 6V and 12V], respectively, while miniXLR is equivalent to Lineout, and the output voltage also reaches ±2Vrms [positive to negative is 4Vrms], which is enough to push the headphone level. It can be seen from the lack of a 4.4mm interface that this is an old product. The 3.5mm single-ended interface is a S/Pdif optical fiber output interface that can be enabled with software and insertion depth.
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player-mini XLR
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player-3.5mm/2.5mm output
The bottom of the player is USB Type-C interface, supports USB-DAC mode, supports external storage content playback, and supports fast charging, although it is not much faster - 5V2A and 9V 1.6A mode. The machine has a large battery, [email protected], which is a 28-watt-hour bulk. The official nominal playback of 16bit/44.1kHz FLAC can last for 9 hours. Since we are not sure about the current battery loss, we have roughly observed the battery status. The high-gain headphones output 80% of the playback content in high-definition and DSD formats, and it is estimated that the battery life will last for 7 hours. The machine also supports an external expansion of a MicroSD card with built-in 128GB of storage space.
software and operations: KANN CUBE is based on the Andoird operating system, the touch screen is 720p 5 inches, and the resolution and black edges are tolerated. The main reason for the poor experience is that the touch layer mesh structure of this touch screen can be more easily detected. The stability of the software system operation is fine. It seems that AK's system did not do much customization in that era, and it is more like simplifying content that is irrelevant to the Android system. The advantage is that it is really simple, but the disadvantage is that it is not beautiful and the operation is very simple. For example, even output high and low gain adjustments and DAC's filter adjustments must be entered into the third and fourth layer menu before setting. The main playback interface and setting interface are shown in the figure.
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player-Play Interface
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player-Play Interface-Volume Adjustment
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player-Play Interface-Top Settings Menu
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player-Play Interface-Top Settings Menu
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player-Related Settings
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player-Filter Settings
Playback Related Main Functions: KANN CUBE's system can support 32bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256's common audio format decoding, supports MQA, and can also support this specification in USB DAC mode. Although it is an Android system, it seems that it is difficult to install third-party software [not sure, I didn’t understand]? However, the system has TIDAL built-in, and netizens seem to have installed a QQMuisc. The specific situation is discussed in the objective test below.
DAC: has not been dismantled due to the lack of internal structure introduction, so there is not much to write about in this part. First of all, the era when KANN CUBE was released may be the pinnacle of the history of the KANN series. It is absolutely luxurious to be willing to use two ES9038 Pros, and there is no need to be. Since it is a current output [there is no I/V inside the IC], I/V is also necessary, which is troublesome and has higher power consumption than the ES9038Q2M. However, the participation of I/V gives the design more room to play, but for small players, the design solution may still be limited by power consumption. In addition, the official also gave the KANN CUBE clock source with an accuracy of 250 femtoseconds.
Objective test
In the objective test, we performed an empty load signal analysis on the single-ended output of 3.5mm, 2.5mm balanced output and miniXLR balanced output. Repeat the indicators of their output voltage here, and the actual measurement is consistent with the official mark. The output of miniXLR is equivalent to Lineout, with a maximum level of ±2Vrms; the single-ended output and balanced output voltages of the headphones at high gain are 6.2Vrms and ±6.2Vrms, respectively, and 2Vrms and ±2Vrms at low gain. At high gain, when the volume is adjusted to 120 [maximum 150], the output voltage is about ±1.1Vrms.
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player-Frequency Response Curve @Headphone Output-Single-ended 3.5mm High Gain
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player-Frequency Response Curve @MiniXLR LO
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player-Noise Distribution @Headphone Output-Single-ended 3.5mm High Gain
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player-Noise Distribution @MiniXLR LO
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player-Dynamic Range @ Headphone Output-Single-ended 3.5mm High Gain
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player-Dynamic Range @miniXLR LO
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player-Total Harmonic Distortion @ Headphone Output-Single-ended 3.5mm High Gain
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player-Total Harmonic Distortion @miniXLR LO
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player - Intermodulation Distortion @ Headphone Output - Single-ended 3.5mm High Gain
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player - Intermodulation Distortion @ MiniXLR LO
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player - Resolution Curve @ Headphone Output - Single-ended 3.5mm High Gain
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player - Resolution Curve @ MiniXLR LO
| test project | 44PO | 44XLR | 96PO | 96XLR |
| noise level, dB (A): | -94.9 | -95.1 | -118.5 | -116.0 |
| dynamic range, dB (A): | 94.8 | 95.1 | 118.2 | 116.0 |
| Total harmonic distortion, %: | 0.00060 | 0.00093 | 0.00040 | 0.00051 |
| intermodulation distortion, %: | 0.00506 | 0.00534 | 0.00088 | 0.00104 |
| stereo resolution, dB: | -93.9 | -94.2 | -115.6 | -112.9 |
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player-Frequency Scan @44.1kHz 3.5mm headphone output single-ended
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart audio player-frequency [email protected] miniXLR LO
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart audio player-release @44.1kHz 3.5mm headphone output single-ended
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart audio player-release @44.1kHz miniXLR LO
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player - Resolution Frequency Analysis @44.1kHz 3.5mm Headphone Output Single-ended
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player - Resolution Frequency Analysis @44.1kHz miniXLR LO
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player - Frequency Scan @96kHz miniXLR LO
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player - Frequency Scan @96kHz 3.5mm Headphone Output Single-ended
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player - QQMusic's sound effects cannot be turned off @ Frequency Scan
Judging from the objective test data of RMAA, the performance is normal, and the distortion and other performance are at an excellent level. At 24bit, the dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio are around 118dB, and there is no problem that the player of the Sony Android system is limited to around 105dB [including many Android phone external sound cards currently available]. Explanation: Although the Android system version is a bit old, the audio architecture is more reliable.
Because this installed app "QQMusic" has pop-up ad notifications several times a day, so you must test its performance by the way? In fact, the sound effect was actually defaulted under the app and it seemed that it could not be turned off. Judging from the frequency scanning, this sound effect was at least a relatively obvious adjustment in EQ.
Subjective listening and summary
In the subjective listening test, our test is mainly headphones, but after listening, we may mainly refer to small earbuds such as Fei'ao FH7 and Shuiyueyu KATO. For large headphones, we also refer to HE1000, HE1000v2 and other headphones, and also refer to HD650 with high impedance . The speaker system combination was also subjectively auditioned, and the effect was not particularly ideal, but the performance will also be discussed below.
AstellKern AK KANN CUBE Smart Audio Player
Overall impression: KANN CUBE is a design with such a high output voltage, plus two 9038Pros, it is expected that it may be significantly better dynamics like the desktop ES9038Pro decoder compared to a number of thick low frequencies such as Q2M and K2M. But in KANN CUBE, the advantages in dynamic and low frequency cannot be felt. Its overall advantage is the clean background, the soft and delicate sound, and it is really not very good at pushing headphones and matching the soundbox system. What exactly causes this kind of hearing? Obviously it doesn't seem to be insufficient in output power and output levels.
treble performance: KANN CUBE's high frequency is quite delicate under the HE1000, K812 and speaker systems. It does not pursue extreme density, but is a bit restrained, even under the relatively fast filter settings. When paired with a treble of the moving iron such as FH7, the extension of the extremely high frequency is slightly hard, and the sound is not particularly good. However, when paired with HE1000 headphones, the delicateness and layering of the sound are good enough, but the density and dynamics are not good. When paired with small earbuds such as KATO, the adaptability is best, the background is very dark, the sound is very clean, and there is no obvious deficit of being dry or hard.
carefully compares players and sound sources such as MR1 and finds that KANN CUBE actually has only one obvious disadvantage, which is the high frequency and medium and high frequency parts. The density and dynamics of this part are really weak and obvious, which makes the voice seem weak. Some of the instruments I often listen to are soft and lack strength here. Only when paired with small dynamic earbuds, this part of the disadvantages are almost negligible, and this is true in other combinations. This part of the filter and other settings can modify the lower gain combination [even with low gain, the output voltage is quite high, and sometimes a more suitable current combination can be found], and it cannot achieve satisfactory results.
If you talk about the advantages, compared with the ES9068DAC SP2000t reviewed in the previous two months, the ES9038 Pro's sound details and sound style are much stronger, especially at high frequencies. At least its sound does not have a dry sound. It can be paired with high-quality headphones, even the brighter HE1000se, which can show high quality, and the level of detail is still quite high.
midrange performance: KANN CUBE's midrange style is relatively neutral. In the ESS DAC front-end device, its vocal performance is considered to be relatively loose, even under the first filter setting. If you choose other filters that are more relaxed and relaxed, the sound of the voice will be more relaxed and relaxed, and the resolution and transient performance will be satisfactory. Because the vocal performance and what we call midrange performance also involve the mid-to-high frequency connection part, this part is very dynamic and dense, so it also affects the style of the vocal. The image is not very three-dimensional and the solidity is not enough. The gentle and gentle style dominates, which is slightly weird. However, under small earplugs, including ring iron earplugs, the problem of being too gentle does not exist and is solid enough. For big headphones, the sound is still a bit floating...
With the performance of big dynamic music, KANN CUBE does not show a particularly powerful and powerful style. For the two ES9038 Pro-configured players, it is quite different from psychological expectations. It can only be said that it performs normally, with stable performance and good control, but not majestic strength. It is a bit biased towards paying great attention to details and levels, and is cautious, but there is no tension. The large dynamic is also carefully expressed, and it is clicked to the point. Similarly, the details are indeed fine, but the momentum is far from enough [compared with MR1, the difference in dynamics, momentum, and sound explosive power is obvious].
bass performance: KANN CUBE's low-frequency resolution and level performance are good, and it is a bit like the ESS top DAC level. You can even feel that the ES9038 Pro has a cleaner sound and a looser transient state than the ES9026 Pro. Although the strength is not enough, it does not lose much resolution and deep dive. But it is difficult to match the particularly solid and powerful low-frequency thickness listening experience on the ES9038Pro desktop device, and it is a little disappointed. Fortunately, when paired with small earplugs, the performance is good enough. When paired with K812, such low frequency is also good, which is quite satisfactory.When paired with a soundbox system, the negative impact of insufficient dynamics in the low-frequency part is actually not as low as that of the medium and high-frequency parts. We said that we can feel the advantages of the DAC of the ES9038Pro compared to the 9026 series, which is more felt from the soundbox system [of course, it is not ruled out that the brain is much more relaxed? ].
Other performances and summary: Finally, let’s talk about other fragmentary and related contents of KANN CUBE player and summary.
First, the filter performance under PCM decoding. According to recent evaluations, the filter options provided by ESS's 902xPro or above level DACs have the most obvious changes in sound style among various DACs, and it is very reliable to switch. The same is true for the filter settings of KANN CUBE, and the effect is good. It is helpful for adjusting the looseness and tightness of the medium and low frequencies and is worth playing.
Second, although the maximum output voltage of KANN CUBE is amazing, its signal-to-noise ratio is still extremely high even at the maximum output, and the background is very dark, let alone users who play with high sensitivity small earbuds cannot even use 5% of its maximum voltage. This player is characterized by its low noise floor, which is suitable for users who are sensitive to it. The sound style is soft and delicate, and you won’t feel powerless under the small plug, but it is easier to match. Unfortunately, at the extremely high frequency of the moving iron, the sound was actually a little hard.
Third, compared with the SP2000t of ES9068AS that I have heard, it is better to choose the KANN CUBE listening experience, at least clean enough and delicate enough to not be dry and unpleasant.
is fourth, the second-hand price seems to be less than 4,000 yuan, so the configuration and overall performance of the dual ES9038 Pro are much more attractive than the $1,499 period. It is said that the chip ES9038Pro is already very difficult to encounter? So looking back at the second one, isn’t you feeling a little moved?
