Astell&Kern’s latest high-res audio player promises more power and bigger sound

Audio specialist Astell&Kern has unveiled its 2nd Generation Kann High Resolution Audio Player, but realising that was a bit of a mouthful, the company has decided to call it the ‘Kann Cube’ instead. Compared to older models, the Cube ($1,499) has a much higher power output and features a new amplifier design that creates a low now floor, delivering audio that’s almost indistinguishable from the original recording. Two 8-channel ESS Sabre ES9038PRO DACs in a dual-mono configuration also provide a wider soundstage and better stereo separation. All of that’s made possible thanks to a quad-core processor, which is complemented by 128GB of internal storage (there’s also a microSD card slot) and a 7,400mAh battery that delivers 9 hours of playback. Audiophiles will want to keep an eye out for this little fella when it arrives in May. 

Chris Kerr Contributor, Stuff.tv

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I’m a freelance games and technology journalist currently mashing my keyboard in the name of fine institutions like Stuff, where you'll usually find me waxing lyrical about the latest mobile morsels. I've also been known to cook up some decidedly delicious reviews from time to time, and was once dubbed 'the games industry's answer to Nigella Lawson' by someone probably somewhere.

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Video games, computing, smartphones, home entertainment, lamps