Astell & Kern Kann Cube
What Hi-Fi|September 2020
Portable music player | ₹TBA Astell & Kern’s most powerful personal music player prioritises hi-fi hook-up, but it isn’t exactly portable
Astell & Kern Kann Cube

KEY FEATURES

32-bit

32-bit/384kHz and DSD256

Tidal Masters

128GB

128GB built-in storage

When is a portable music player not a portable music player? When it’s the size of a block of cheese and weighs around half a kilo. Despite being listed under ‘portables’ on the company’s website, the Astell & Kern Kann Cube is unlikely to find its way into many pockets. But before you write it off completely, the Kann Cube isn’t designed to be portable, and the only deception here is that it isn’t actually a cube.

Like the Award-winning Kann, the Kann Cube is a music player with built-in storage, a DAC and a headphone amplifier. But the inclusion of some new features make it better suited for integration into a desktop or hi-fi system.

The clearest indication that the Kann Cube isn’t intended to be a portable player is its five-pin mini XLR connection, designed to connect the player to an amplifier’s traditional 3-pin XLR stereo input with a compatible cable (not included). It’s a first for an A&K player, and also the first time we’ve seen the connection on such a device. The Kann Cube also features 2.5mm balanced and 3.5mm headphone outputs.

No hint of bias

This story is from the September 2020 edition of What Hi-Fi.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2020 edition of What Hi-Fi.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WHAT HI-FIView All
7 Of The Quirkiest Hi-Fi And Home Cinema Products On The Planet
What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision India

7 Of The Quirkiest Hi-Fi And Home Cinema Products On The Planet

Enough of the serious stuff, time for some oddballs...

time-read
4 mins  |
February 2024
SCREEN STARS
What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision India

SCREEN STARS

These systems pick from the cream of the AV crop to provide the most immersive experience possible

time-read
10+ mins  |
February 2024
Wire we waiting?
What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision India

Wire we waiting?

These high-end headphones will provide a real treat for your ears-maybe it's time to upgrade

time-read
10+ mins  |
February 2024
5 SIMPLE DEMO STEPS TO HELP YOU REACH HI-FI SYSTEM NIRVANA
What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision India

5 SIMPLE DEMO STEPS TO HELP YOU REACH HI-FI SYSTEM NIRVANA

Choosing the right hi-fi kit can be tricky. We reveal how to audition and compare components with confidence

time-read
5 mins  |
February 2024
TEAMING WITH TALENT
What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision India

TEAMING WITH TALENT

With so many great hi-fi products on sale, matching them up can be tough. So we have done it for you

time-read
10+ mins  |
February 2024
COMPACT DISC'S STAR HAS FADED, BUT WE LOVE IT ANYWAY
What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision India

COMPACT DISC'S STAR HAS FADED, BUT WE LOVE IT ANYWAY

What Hi-Fi? explains why the original silver music disc still appeals

time-read
4 mins  |
February 2024
Sennheiser Accentum Wireless
What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision India

Sennheiser Accentum Wireless

The Accentum sound solid enough, but they're hardly a thrilling listen

time-read
5 mins  |
February 2024
iPad Pro 12.9 6th Gen
What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision India

iPad Pro 12.9 6th Gen

The best tablet for movies and music is now even better

time-read
6 mins  |
February 2024
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision India

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Out with the old Bose and in with the new

time-read
3 mins  |
February 2024
Q Acoustics 5040 Home Cinema Package
What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision India

Q Acoustics 5040 Home Cinema Package

Want to inject some energy into your home cinema sound? Look no further

time-read
4 mins  |
February 2024