Astell&Kern is back with another reference hi-res audio player: the Kann. Paired with exceptional headphones and top-notch recordings, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more blissful sonic experience from a hi-res audio player at this price point. Just be warned, Kann’s price tag is as big as its bulky size.

A BOLD DESIGN

Every Astell&Kern player has a bold, distinctive design that breaks the mold. Kann is no different. The Kann’s aluminum mass is sculpted into a trapezoidal work of art that is remarkably natural to hold and use. The Kann comes in a choice of Astro Silver and Eos Blue finishes. My review sample came in the former.

The Kann’s sides are ribbed. Slightly scalloped lines traverse the back. I tip my hat to the industrial design team; the play of light and shadows on the player is something truly beautiful to look at.

The player’s right side is rounded. That simple attention to detail made it comfortable to hold with my right thumb naturally resting on the volume dial.

The Kann’s tapered backside makes the large, ribbed volume dial well-suited for left or right handed use. However, I noticed a design quirk in my testing.

To lower the volume, you rotate the dial toward the