A & K Kann Cube Is it worth the $$$

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by Claud, Jun 11, 2020.

  1. Claud

    Claud Living the ORFAS dream

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    Recently I read that KB of CA/ ALO thought that the Kann Cube was the best with his IEMs. A DAP that can drive difficult headphones and sounds especially good with my particular flavor of IEMs is interesting to me. Up to this point, My impression of A & K was overpriced and funky lookin.
    A & K Kann Cube users please share your opinion of this DAP.
     
  2. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    While I don't know if it's "the best for CA IEMs", I do enjoy it with full size headphones quite a bit.

    While probably not quite on par with the Hugo 2 from a technical standpoint, I felt it wasn't too far off and had a more agreeable tonality (slightly warm, wet). I let the H2 go, as a result.

    I like the gain settings and the UI is good overall.

    Also, I particularly like the Miter case with with built-in stand that makes it stand up wright on the desk. It's incompatible with DAC mode (the port is at the bottom), but in this case you don't need to access the screen so it can just lay flat.

    I bought it ~4 months ago and, because of COVID, didn't really have a need for it, so I didn't listen to it all that much. Every time I have, though, it's been a pleasure!
     
  3. Claud

    Claud Living the ORFAS dream

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    Clemmaster, do you have any Campfire Audio IEMs? If so, which ones have you tried with the KC?
     
  4. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    As stupid as it sounds, $1500 isn't even all that expensive anymore. At the used prices I have seen, ( <1000), it is almost a bargain. I haven't heard it though so once again, what the hell do I know.
     
  5. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    Yes, I do own the OG Solaris.
    Used to own the Andro v1 and Andro Gold, but sold them long before I got the Cube.
     
  6. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    Reviews are fantastic - it's just massive.

    It would be cool if they could do it modular. Small unit for portable IEM use and then dock it for a power boost for HP home use. No idea if that's feasible or just pie in the sky dreaming.
     
  7. theveterans

    theveterans Facebook Friend

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    The Astell&Kern SP1000 used to have this modular amp module, but they got rid of that with the SP2000 that I have. While Kann Cube is certainly more capable with harder to drive headphones, I didn't find any issues driving something easy to drive headphones like the Focal Utopia with the SP2000 in unbalanced connection (this combo sounds damn good for a true portable setup (not transportable)). My issue with Kann Cube is that it didn't meet my criteria of sounding less digital since my ears have been spoiled with the tonality of mid-to-upper end Schiit MB DACs. Out of all AK DAPs I've demoed from SR15, SE100, Kann Cube, SP1000 (no amp) and SP2000, I find that the SP2000 sounded the most tolerable out of all in terms of removing that glare/glass/glossy tonality to the frequencies. As for the price, you do pay for the portability factor, the AK brand and the heft thus I would say that the AK SP2000 would just rival the Bifrost 2 in technicalities (barring tonality as a factor).

    The SP2000 + Andromeda setup weights pretty hefty too for a portable DAP+IEM setup

    [​IMG]
     
  8. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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  9. theveterans

    theveterans Facebook Friend

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    That's 3 month ago photo BTW haha
     
  10. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    I do not know about other CA IEMs, but when it comes to Kann Cube with CA Vegas, Ken Ball is absolutely right. The pairing on the KC mid gain is fantastic, Vegas need power to properly control bass.
    Except for my main system which is BHA-1 with HEKv2 and HD800 I do not know anything better.

    As for full size headphones I use it most often with TR-X00 Mahogany. KC makes TR-X00 somewhat more revealing and faster, which combined with a full, rich sound makes the combo irresistible. I use DIY balanced cable made of the HD600 cable, with polarity reversed in the 2.5 mmm plug.
    KC drives HD800 and HEKv2 without any problems but I prefer it with TR-X00.

    This is not a DAP, but as a portable or a desk setup KC is certainly my end game.
    It may be not the best pairing for very sensitive IEMs, at least the balanced output. With SE846 it was hiss or anything but I could hear the background when the music was not playing. Did not bother me at all and was not audible during a playback.
     
  11. theveterans

    theveterans Facebook Friend

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    Yep! DD IEMs needed that extra power for the dynamics and treble control while for CA or even 64-audio BAs, it’s more of supplemental current at very low voltages to get those DD-like bass excursions due to their high efficiency and very low impedances
     
  12. Claud

    Claud Living the ORFAS dream

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    What a great looking IEM cord, the veterans! Norne, ALO, PlusSound?????????
     
  13. mitochondrium

    mitochondrium Friend

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    If that picture was taken recently do not forget to have your scales calibrated by Mr. D. Smith they are due.
     
  14. theveterans

    theveterans Facebook Friend

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    It's Effect Audio Cleopatra unbalanced. Received it on July last year and still impressed with its resistance to oxidation from hours of everyday use from home, work or travel

    [​IMG]
     

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