Astell&Kern’s KANN MAX Could Replace Apple's Dead iPod, Where and How to Buy?

If you are still not over the fact that the classic iPod we grew up with is already dead. Perhaps, this new device could replace your longing for iPod!

Goodbye iPod, Hello KANN MAX

One of the many devices that helped the tech giant Apple into becoming a $3 trillion company (an achievement that was recorded earlier this year), is officially gone. Even the latest model of the device, iPod Touch, was not spared so it was also officially put to rest this week as well.

But if you're like anyone who loves the nostalgia of this classic device and prefers listening to music through a smartphone - not all options are lost, especially when you can have KANN Max, which costs around $1,300 .

Astell&Kern announced on Friday, May 13, the launch of KANN MAX, which is a major upgrade to its KANN ALPHA high-resolution player that could bear slight similarities to the iPod Touch. But the special feature for this device is that it holds some serious audio chops inside.

KANN MAX will include three headphone jacks that are varied in sizes and with gold-plating to ensure that devoted audio listeners will not indulge themselves in a pair of wireless headphones. However, for those who prefer wireless listening, KANN MAX still includes Bluetooth and support for the aptX HD and LDAC codecs.

The only catch is that the new KANN MAX can lose an hour-and-a-half of battery in contrast to the former-gen KANN ALPHA-13 hours and compared to 14.5, which is actually smaller and lighter while it increases the power output from 12Vrms to 15Vrms.

This feature will enable the KANN MAX to operate natively with higher-end headphones that entail a personal power source to work even without the aid of an additional amplifier. Compared to the iPod, its headphone jacks only delivered around 2-3V.

iPod vs KANN MAX: The Differences

Furthermore, this new iPod is equipped with 64GB storage, which is already too much compared to the original iPod's 5GB. KANN MAX is also compatible with high-resolution digital files that can increase to 32-bit/768kHz quality, this means that it can hold more information and take up more space than MP3 or Apple's AAC files.

Its storage can also be increased to up to 1 terabyte(TB) through the use of a microSD card, it also has a smart feature called BT sink that lets the device store high-res music files - like those that come from a laptop equipped with a huge external drive - and lets it play through the KANN MAX over bluetooth without the need of audio compression.

One of KANN MAX's striking updates is its use of four ES9038Q2M digital-to-analog converters, where each one is allotted to the MAX's four amplification channels. The company noted that this approach will induce "depth and realism of the sound source" to enjoy a full and clear listening quality.

With that in mind, is KANN MAX the new iPod?

If you want to buy the device, you can order it on their official website.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla