Astell&Kern Kann Cube, Digital Audio Player: High-Resolution DAP (Kann Cube)
KANN CUBE is the second model of the KANN line, which focuses on high fidelity with powerful output and low noise. The newly designed powerful amplifier and audio circuitry have been strategically implemented to offer a very low noise floor, even with its massive power output, making it an Audio Powerhouse capable of driving the most power-hungry headphones.
DETAILS
KEY SPECS
ESS ES9038PRO SABRE 8-Channel Dual DAC
Three Audio Output Modes, Up to 12V of Power
Designed for Pro Audio Equipment
Quad-Core CPU
Supports Low/Mid/High performance modes (up to 12V)
5-pin Mini XLR (4Vrms)
Internal Storage: 128GB
5.0" 720x1280 HD Touchscreen
Aluminum body
8-hour battery life
32bit/384kHz, Native DSD256 Support
Open APP Service for music streaming options
ES9038PRO Dual DAC, 32-bit 384kHz bit to bit play, native DSD, Quad-core CPU, 720x1280 Touchscreen, 5-pin mini XLR, 128GB Built-in Memory, USB-C fast charging
ABSOLUTE AUDIO POWERHOUSE
KANN CUBE offers 3 different power output options of High / Mid / Low, which can drive any headphone with unprecedented power never seen before in any portable device - 12Vrms for Balanced output and 6Vrms for Unbalanced output. To provide a natural and neutral audio experience with minimal distortion, a newly designed OP Amp and Volume IC manages power optimally and efficiently.
A Comparison of outputs of KANN CUBE vs KANN vs AK380+AMP
Output comparison of KANN CUBE, KANN, and AK380+Amp
ESS ES9038PRO SABRE DUAL DACS
KANN CUBE uses two 8-channel DACs, the ES9038PRO, one for the left and one for the right channel. As each DAC chip sends out 8 channels of audio signal through the Astell&Kern Analog AMP Block, you experience unlimited sound stage and the full depth of the original performance.
Dual DACs send 8 audio channels descretely to each left and right channels
ABOUT ESS SABRE PRO DAC
The ESS SABRE PRO series of Digital-to-Analog Converters (DAC) is targeted for premium audiophile and professional recording studio equipment. The SABRE PRO series sets a new benchmark in high-end audio by offering the industry's highest dynamic range (DNR) with impressively low levels of total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N) in a 32-bit, 8-channel DAC. All PRO SABRE DACs feature ESS's patented 32-bit HyperStream DAC technology which delivers outstanding sound quality and industry-leading performance.
Sabre Pro DACs: ES9038PRO, ES9028PRO, ES9026PRO
ESS DAC LINE-UP
ESS has two major lines of DAC chips – the ‘SABER PRO’ for audiophile systems and ‘SABER HIFI’ for mobile devices, such as the LG V10, V20, V30 smartphones or Onkyo DAPs. The SABER PRO DACs are seldom used for DAPs and are primarily used with Pro-Audio systems or traditional Hi-Fi products. The ES9038PRO is the latest DAC from ESS and the SABER PRO line. KANN CUBE is the first DAP device to adopt the SABER PRO DACs in a dual DAC configuration, dedicating 8-channels for the left and 8-channels for the right side.
ESS Technology: Audiophile grade Sabre Pro ES9038PRO DAC