KANN ALPHA INSTRUCTION BOOK User Guide
CONTENTS Getting Started _01 Package Contents 02 Product Overview 03 Power Management 05 Charging 06 Connections 07 Firmware Updates 13 Using the Device _02 Basic Operations 14 Home Screen 18 Notification Bar 20 Using Open APP Service 23 AK CONNECT 24 Listening to Music 30 Playlist Management 33 USB DAC Installation 36 How to Use USB Audio 37 CD Ripping 38 AK CD-Player 40 Car Mode 41 Bookmark Function 42 Favorites Function 43 Settings 42 Connecting to Wi-Fi 52 Us
User Guide Package Contents Contents may be changed without prior notice to improve the performance or quality of the product. KANN ALPHA microSD Card Slot Cover Protective Film USB Type-C Cable Quick Start Guide & Warranty Card Protective Film: Protect the device and its screen. microSD Card Slot Cover: The cover is used to protect the microSD card slot when not in use. It is installed in the product by default. USB Type-C Cable: For charging and data transfer.
User Guide Product Overview The appearance of the product, as well as the printed and engraved information, may vary depending on the model. 4.4mm Balanced Port 3.5mm Unbalanced Port / OPTICAL OUT Terminal 2.5mm Balanced Port Power Previous/ Rewind Volume Play/Pause LED Indicator Next/ Fast-Forward LCD Touchscreen Home Button microSD Card Slot USB Type-C Port 2.5mm Balanced Port: - 2.5mm Balanced Port symbol. For audio output, connect earphones or headphones that utilize a 2.5mm jack. 4.
User Guide 3.5mm Unbalanced Port: - 3.5mm Unbalanced Port symbol. For audio output, connect earphones or headphones that utilize a 3.5mm jack. Power: - Power symbol. Short press - Turns the screen on or off. Press and hold - Turns the device on or off. Previous/Rewind: Short press - Play the previous song or restart the current song. Press and hold - Rewind the current song. Play/Pause: Play or pause the current song. Next/Fast-Forward: Short press - Play the next song.
User Guide Power Management Powering the Device On/Off 1. Press and hold the [Power] button to turn on the device. 2. While the device is on, press and hold the [Power] button to shut down the device. A confirmation message will appear. 3. Press [OK] to turn off the device. This device has an automatic shutdown feature to save battery power.
User Guide Charging Charging via USB Wall Adapter 1. Commercially available 9V 1.67A output adapters may be used for charging. Fast charging time: Approx. 3 hours 30 minutes (Fully discharged, Power-off, 9V 1.67A adapter) / Normal charging: Approx. 5 hours (Fully discharged, Power-off, 5V 2A adapter) A fast charger of 9V 1.67A may be used. Using a 12V adapter will not charge the device and may cause malfunction.
User Guide Connections 3.5mm Unbalanced Port 1. Connect earphones or headphones to the 3.5mm unbalanced port. OR 2.5/4.4mm Balanced Port 1. Connect earphones or headphones that support a 2.5mm or 4.4mm headphone jack to the 2.5mm or 4.4mm balanced port.
User Guide Connecting to a Balanced Audio Device 1. Connect to an external audio device by using the 3.5mm unbalanced port and 2.5mm balanced port. Unbalanced Port (Ground) Balanced Port (LR) Connecting to S/PDIF OUT 1. Using an optical cable, connect the KANN ALPHA to a S/PDIF-capable external device to output music through the external device. Enable output format conversion from [Menu > Settings > S/PDIF Conversion] to convert the output to a predefined format upon S/PDIF connection.
User Guide Connecting to a Computer 1. Turn on the device and your computer. 2. Use the USB Type-C cable to connect the device to a computer in accordance with settings in [Menu - Settings - USB Mode]. [Default] Media Device (USB Drive): Transfer files from a computer to the device. DAC Input: Listen to music on a connected computer through the device. (See Page 37) Mac users need to download and install Android File Transfer from the Astell&Kern website. [http://www.astellnkern.
User Guide Copy Files (Folders) to the Device 1. To copy files/folders from your computer, select the desired files/folders and drag & drop them into the device folder. Ensure the USB Type-C cable is properly connected. Turning off the device, computer or disconnecting the USB Type-C cable while copying or moving files/folders may corrupt files or device memory. File transfer speeds may be affected by the computer and/or the OS environment.
User Guide Delete Files (or Folders) from the Device 1. Select the file/folder to delete, right-click the mouse, and then select [Delete]. 2. Select [Yes] in the [Confirm File/Folder Deletion] window to delete the selected files/folders. Disconnecting from the Computer 1. Disconnect the USB Type-C cable after the transfer between the device and computer is complete. Disconnecting the device from the computer during a file transfer may corrupt data on the device.
User Guide Insert/Remove a microSD Card 1. Refer to the diagram and gently insert a microSD card into the microSD card slot. 2. To safely remove a microSD card, on the Home Screen, select [Safely remove SD card] from the Notification Bar or select [Unmount SD card] from [Menu - Settings - System Information]. 3. Gently press the microSD card in to unlock and release it from the slot.
User Guide Notes on Using a microSD Card If the microSD card is not recognized or functions improperly, format the card, preferably in the FAT32 system. Using cards other than the recommended microSD card types may cause malfunctions. A microSD card is not included in the product package. Please purchase separately. Firmware Updates Wi-Fi Update / OTA (Over-the-Air) 1. Connect to a wireless network. 2. If a new firmware update is available, the screen will display a Firmware Update Guide window. 3.
User Guide Basic Operations LCD Touchscreen 1. This device features a LCD touchscreen that allows you to perform operations by touch. Use the touchscreen to access various features on the device. To prevent damage to the screen, do not use a sharp object or excessive force. Return to the Home Screen 1. Press [ ] at any time to return to the Home Screen.
User Guide From the Home Screen, swipe your finger to the left, right, up or down from any edge of the touchscreen to access display menus. Each side of the Home Screen will activate a different display menu. Main Menu 1. From the left edge of the touchscreen, swipe your finger right to display the Main Menu, or tap the “A” icon in the upper left corner of the screen.
User Guide Notification Bar 1. From the top edge of the touchscreen, swipe your finger down to display the Notification Bar. View Current Playlist 1. From the right edge of the touchscreen, swipe your finger left to display the Now Playing menu.
User Guide View Play History 1. From the bottom edge of the touchscreen, swipe your finger up to display the Play History menu. Moving Up/Down on a List 1. Scroll through a list by dragging your finger up or down.
User Guide Home Screen 9 1 10 11 12 13 2 14 3 15 4 16 5 17 6 18 7 19 8 20 1 Menu Displays the Main Menu. 2 Favorites Add or remove song from Favorites. 3 Song Progress Indicates song duration. 4 Recent Menu Go to the last displayed menu list. List 5 Add to Playlist Add the current song to a playlist. 6 Title Song title information. File name is displayed when the title is unavailable. 7 Artist/Album Displays the artist and album info.
User Guide 9 Playlist Display current playlist. 10 Format Information Displays the bit rate and sampling frequency data. 11 Album Cover Displays album cover of current song. Tap image to view the song lyrics. 12 Now Playing Song Count Displays the current song number playing/ total number of songs in Now Playing. 13 Repeat Mode Press [ ] to set the Repeat mode. : Repeat entire playlist. : Repeat current track. : Repeat mode off.
User Guide Notification Bar 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Using the Device 20
User Guide 1 Wi-Fi Press [ 2 Bluetooth Press [ ] to turn Bluetooth on/ 3 EQ ] to turn Wi-Fi on/off. off. Press [ ] to turn the EQ on/ off. The most recent EQ settings are applied by default. 4 Computer Select the mode to use when Connection connected to a computer. Mode [Default] : Enables transfer of media files. : Listen to music on a connected computer through the device. 5 USB Audio After connecting the device to a portable USB DAC, press [ ] to connect or disconnect the device.
User Guide 10 Gapless Playback Press [ ] to turn Gapless Playback on/off. 11 Settings Press [ ] to display the full settings menu. 12 Brightness 13 Notifications Device notifications are Display displayed in this area. Clear Notifications Clear notifications. Use the adjustment bar to control the display brightness. 14 Long-press an icon [ / / / / corresponding full settings menu screen.
User Guide Using Open APP Service The Open APP Service enables the user to install specific APK music streaming apps to the device. Copy the desired APK into the Open Service folder of the product and install the relevant App in the [Menu-Service] of the product. The source of the app you are trying to install is unknown. Be aware that if the app is installed, the device may be damaged and personal data compromised. Depending on the APP, some functions may not work.
User Guide AK CONNECT Access and play back music files stored on a computer, NAS drive or AK Device on the same network, as well as output sound through compatible speakers with AK Connect. AK Connect is available on your AK device and also available as an app for your smartphone or tablet via Apple’s App store or Google Play Store. Using AK Connect to Link Music Libraries/Speakers 1. Turn on the music library device and/or speaker and AK player. 2. Connect all devices to the same Wi-Fi network. 3.
User Guide 7. After selecting a library / speaker, select a category from the menu to display the corresponding music list. For Wi-Fi connections, see Page 52.
User Guide Streaming Music from Your Library 1. Select a category from the library menu to see your list of music. 2. Select a song to begin streaming. Downloading Music from Your Library 1. Select a category from the library menu to see your list of music. 2. Press [ ] button at the upper- right corner of the music list. 3. Select the desired music and press [ ] to initiate the download. A message on the Notification Bar will indicate when the download is complete.
User Guide AK Connect Usage Examples Case 1 KANN ALPHA AK T1 LIBRARY SPEAKER Case 2 AK500N KANN ALPHA AK T1 LIBRARY REMOTE SPEAKER Using the Device 27
User Guide Case 3 KANN ALPHA AK500N REMOTE & LIBRARY SPEAKER Case 4 KANN ALPHA AK500N AK T1 LIBRARY REMOTE SPEAKER Using the Device 28
User Guide Case 5 KANN ALPHA LIBRARY or AK Connect APP REMOTE AK T1 SPEAKER AK500N LIBRARY Using the Device 29
User Guide Listening to Music Selecting Music 1. Select a category from the Main Menu to display the corresponding music list. 2. Select a song from the list to begin playback. Select [Folder] to search music by folder. Continuous Playing Time: Approx. 14.5 hours (Music: FLAC,16bit, 44.1kHz, Unbalanced, Volume 80, EQ Off, LCD Off, Low Gain) Supported Formats: PCM [8~384kHz(8/16/24/32bit)] DSD [2.8/5.6/11.2MHz] Listening to Music To search, press [ ] on the menu list and enter the title.
User Guide Press [ ] on top of the music list to view the options: : Select / deselect entire list : Add the selected list at the top / bottom / after the current song of Now Playing : Add selected list to a playlist : Delete selected list : Exit Turn the [Volume] wheel to adjust the volume. Press [ ] during playback to pause and [ ] to resume playback. Press [ / ] during playback for the previous/next track. Press and hold [ / ] to rewind/fast-forward the track.
User Guide Playlist Screen 1 3 4 2 1 Previous Return to the previous screen. 2 Playlist Display the current playlist. 3 Edit mode Display the editing options for the music list. 4 Play All Play all songs in the current list.
User Guide Playlist Management Creating a Playlist 1. Press [Playlists] on the menu to view the playlists. 2. Select [ + ] in the upper right corner of the screen. 3. Enter a name for the playlist and then press [Add] to create a new playlist. Adding a Song to a Playlist 1. Press [Playlists] to display the list of playlists. 2. Select a playlist and press [+ Add Song] to display a list of songs by album. 3. Select a song and press [Add] to add the song to the selected playlist.
User Guide Removing a Song from a Playlist 1. Press [Playlists] to display the list of playlists. 2. Select the playlist to edit. 3. Press [ ] at the top, then select the song you want to delete from the playlist. 4. Press [ ] on top of the screen. 5. Press [DELETE] to remove the song from the selected playlist. This action will only remove the song from the selected playlist, not the memory. Playing a Playlist 1. Select the desired playlist for playback. 2.
User Guide Renaming a Playlist 1. Press [Playlists] to view the playlists, then press [ ]. 2. Select a playlist to be renamed. 3. Press [ ] at the top of the screen to display the RENAME window. 4. Enter a name for the playlist and then press [RENAME] to confirm the change. Deleting a Playlist 1. Press [Playlists] to view the playlists, then press [ ]. 2. Select the playlist to be deleted. 3. Press [ ] at the top of the screen. 4. Press [DELETE] to delete the selected playlist.
User Guide USB DAC Installation The USB DAC function allows the device to be recognized as a sound card on a computer. Music from the computer is played through the device’s headphone port for an enhanced listening experience. USB DAC Specifications Supported OS Windows 7(32bit/64bit) / Windows 8(32bit/64bit) / Windows 10(32/64bit) MAC OS 10.7(Lion) or later USB DAC Support Specifications Supported Formats: PCM [8~384kHz(8/16/24/32bit)] DSD [2.8/5.6/11.
User Guide How to Use USB Audio Connect the device to a portable amp or DAC using USB Audio Out. How to Connect a Portable USB DAC 1. Connect the portable USB DAC to the AK device’s USB Type-C port with a dedicated cable. 2. Press [ 3. Once [ ] in the Notification Bar. ] is activated, you can enjoy music stored on the device through the connected portable USB DAC. The USB Type-C cable that comes packaged with the device is only to be used for computer data transfer or to charge the device.
User Guide The portable USB DAC must be able to receive digital input through the micro-USB's OTG. Audio output may vary widely depending on the digital input specs of the portable USB DAC used. This is not a defect in the device output and not a reason for exchange or refund. When using DoP as a DSD output type, no sound may be outputted except noise depending on the portable USB DAC. CD Ripping CDs can be ripped directly to the device using the AK CDRIPPER (sold separately).
User Guide CD Ripping 1. Select the ripping function in [Menu-Settings-CD RipperDefault run-CD Ripping]. 2. Connect the AK CD-Ripper to the device and select CD Ripping if not set as the default run function. 3. Insert a CD and metadata (ID3 tags) for the inserted CD will be retrieved via Gracenote if Wi-Fi is turned on. 4. CD ripping will begin automatically after the metadata has been downloaded. 5. When finished, press [OK] when prompted to complete the automatic CD ripping process.
User Guide AK CDPlayer Using the AK CD-Player Function 1. Connect the AK CD-Ripper to the device and select CD Player if not set as the default run function. 2. Insert a CD and metadata (ID3 tags) for the inserted CD will be retrieved via Gracenote if Wi-Fi is turned on. 3. Once the metadata has downloaded, press play. The USB Type-C cable provided with the device is to be used to connect to the computer or to charge the product.
User Guide Car Mode 3 4 1 2 1 Exit Exit car mode. 2 Play/Pause Play or pause music. 3 Playlist Display current playlist. 4 Screen Rotation Switch the screen orientation to horizontal mode/vertical mode.
User Guide Bookmark Function Allows user to select up to five folders for display on the top of the screen. Setting a bookmark 1. Select [ ] at the top of the music list. 2. Select the desired folder from the music list and select [ ] at the bottom to display the selected folder at the top of the music list. Up to 5 bookmarks can be set.
User Guide Favorites Function Favorites function allows users to mark a currently playing song as a favorite and add it to the Favorites folder. Setting favorites 1. Press [ ] on the home screen to add / remove the song being played to the favorites list. 2. From the Home Screen, swipe [Left Right] direction to display the Main Menu. Press [Favorites] to display the list of favorite songs.
User Guide Settings The settings menu allows users to customize the device. The settings menu may vary depending on the firmware version. Setup 1. Select [Main Menu - Settings] or select [ ] from the Notification Bar menu. 2. Select the feature to view setting options. Wi-Fi Change wireless network settings and turn Wi-Fi on/off. See page 52 for more information on connecting to Wi-Fi. Bluetooth Connect a Bluetooth device to listen to music wirelessly.
User Guide AK CONNECT Turn AK Connect on/off and set AK Connect options. Equalizer Set the equalizer according to the user's preferences. USER EQ: Adjust the frequencies according to the user's preferences. Supported Formats for EQ: PCM [8 ~ 192kHz(8/16/24bit)] Using the equalizer may negatively affect device performance. See pages 55 - 57 for more information on using the equalizer. EQ Sync Share or receive Custom User EQ files. To access custom EQ files, connect the device to the computer.
User Guide Gapless Plays the next song without any interruption. Gapless playback is only supported between two files with identical bit rates, sample rates, and channels. Line Out Set the voltage value generated when Line Out is activated. Do not use earphones with the Line Out feature enabled. Doing so may cause permanent hearing loss. Line-out is supported when the amplifier is set to low gain. LR Balance Adjust the left-right balance for earphones/headphones.
User Guide CD Ripper Set the automatic CD ripping function as well as the file format and ripping speed. USB Mode Media Device (USB Drive): When connected to a computer, device appears as a removable drive. DAC Input: Output sound from a connected computer to the device. USB Audio Select the type of DSD sound being outputted through USB Audio Out to a connected portable DAC. Enable/Disable MQA decoding software. S/PDIF Conversion Set the appropriate output format for the S/PDIF-connected external device.
User Guide DAC Filter User can select between various DAC filers provided by the DAC manufacturer. DAC Filter is applied only in 24 bit / 192 kHz or less PCM format, not in MQA and DSD formats. Volume Limit Displays a warning when the volume reaches a certain level and sets related options. Screen Brightness Adjust screen brightness settings. LED Indicator Turn LED Indicator on/off. LED Option: turn volume control or song details LED Indicator on/off individually. Date & Time Set the current date and time.
User Guide Language Select the display language. Supported languages are English, Korean, Japanese, French, Russian, German, and Spanish. Input Method Back Button: the Floating Back Button will be displayed on the screen. Move the Back Button to the desired position by dragging and dropping the icon with your finger. Move the button to the center of the screen to deactivate it. To reactivate the button, turn it on from [Menu-SettingsInput Method] Keyboard: Select a language for the keyboard.
User Guide Downloads Select a folder for downloaded files to be saved by default. When using AK Connect to download music, if the [Default folder] is selected in Settings, downloading will automatically begin to the pre-set Downloads folder. When [Select Folder] is selected, the user is prompted to choose a download folder each time a file is downloaded. Update System Update: Update the device when a new firmware version is available.
User Guide System Reset Initialize Media Scan: Resets and rescans the internal database. Database initialization time may vary depending on the number of files stored on the device. Settings Reset: Resets all user settings back to the default settings. Factory Data Reset: Deletes all user data and resets all user settings back to the default setting.
User Guide Connecting to Wi-Fi Connecting to a Wi-Fi Network 1. Press and hold [ ] from the Notification Bar or select [Menu - Settings - Wi-Fi] to display a list of available Wi-Fi networks. 2. Select the desired AP to connect to the wireless network. Additional information such as Wi-Fi password may be required depending on Wi-Fi settings. Networks requiring browser or other additional certifications are not supported.
User Guide Using Bluetooth Connect a Bluetooth device to listen to music wirelessly. Turning Bluetooth On/Off A Bluetooth device must be paired with the device prior to use. Refer to the Bluetooth device's instruction manual for details. 1. Select [ ] from the Notification Bar menu or select [On/Off] from [Menu - Settings - Bluetooth]. Bluetooth Pairing 1. In the Settings Menu, select the appropriate Bluetooth device from the list of available devices. Disconnect a Bluetooth Device 1.
User Guide Removing a Bluetooth Pairing 1. Press [ ] to the right of the paired device to go to settings. 2. Select [Remove] to complete the process. Bluetooth Support Specifications Profile: A2DP, AVRCP Supported Codecs: Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, LDAC, AAC, SBC Device performance may be affected during Hi-Res playback. Do not turn off the device while connected to Bluetooth. Turn the Bluetooth device off then on in case of issue. Pairing methods may differ for each individual Bluetooth device.
User Guide Equalizer Setup Equalizer Setup 1. Press and hold [ ] on the Notification Bar or turn on [Menu - Settings - Equalizer]. 2. Press [NORMAL EQ], then select [+]. 3. Enter a name for the custom EQ settings and select [SAVE].
User Guide 4. Adjust the frequencies up and down according to the user's preferences. 5. The number values at the lowerleft corner of the screen can be adjusted for fine-tuning. 6. Press the [Advanced] tab on the top to display PEQ settings screen. Adjust Freq/Gain/Q.
User Guide Deleting a Custom Equalizer Setting 1. Press [the drop down menu] in the upper left of the equalizer. 2. Press [ ] next to the EQ name to be deleted. 3. Press [OK] to delete the selected EQ setting. Renaming a Custom Equalizer Setting 1. Press [the drop down menu] in the upper left of the equalizer. 2. Press [ ] next to the EQ setting name you wish to change and enter a new name for the selected EQ. 3. Press [CHANGE] to save.
User Guide Safety PreCautions Device When a plug is inserted into the unbalanced, balanced, or USB port, do not apply any force or impact to the plug. Do not insert any metal objects (coins, hairpins, etc.) or flammable debris into the device. Do not put heavy objects on the device. If the device gets wet (rain, water, chemicals, medicine, cosmetics, sweat, moisture, etc.), allow the device to dry thoroughly before powering on.
User Guide Connecting the cable to a defective or damaged USB port on a computer may damage the device. Displaying one image for an extended period may cause screen burn-in (afterimage). Using poor quality protective films or adhesive stickers on the screen may cause damage. Do not insert any foreign objects into the device ports. The device may become warm while playing and charging, so handle it carefully. Product’s corners may be sharp, so handle carefully.
User Guide Troubleshooting Solutions to Common Issues 1. The device won't turn on. The battery may need to be recharged. Charge the device for at least one hour and try again. Reset the device. (See Page 5) 2. The device will not charge when connected to a computer via USB cable. Connect to the computer using the provided USB Type-C cable. Charging may not occur depending on the condition and specifications of your computer. (In this case, charging via computer is not recommended.
User Guide 7. A file does not play or the product becomes unstable when a certain file is played. File may be damaged or corrupt if the following occurs: Playback stops or freezes. Device may act erratically or freeze. File may sound different on another device. There may be a difference in the performance of playback or other functions. There may be differences in the file specs. Converting the file to a different format or use of a different file is recommended.
User Guide Certifications KC / FCC / CE / TELEC Class B Device (Communication equipment for residential use): This is a Class B Device and is registered for EMC requirements for residential use. This device can be used in residential areas and all other areas.
User Guide (b) For a Class B digital device or peripheral, the instructions furnished to the user shall include the following or similar statement, placed in a prominent location in the text of the manual: NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
User Guide Registered Trademarks Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows Media Player are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. Qualcomm aptX is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. aptX is a trademark of Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd., registered in the United States and other countries.
User Guide Disclaimers The manufacturer, importer, and distributor shall not be liable for damages including accidental and personal injury due to the improper use or operation of this product. The information in this user manual was written based on current product specifications. The manufacturer, Dreamus Company, regularly adds new features via OTA updates and will continue to apply new technologies in the future. Product specifications may be changed without prior notice.
User Guide Specifications General Specifications Product Name KANN ALPHA Model PPM43 Body Material Aluminum Display 4.1inch 720x1280 touch display Supported Audio Formats WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF, MQA MQA Playback Services (Tidal Masters), Local files, External USB, MQA-CD(ripped) Sample Rate PCM : 8kHz ~ 384kHz (8/16/24/32bits per Sample) DSD Native: DSD64(1bit 2.8MHz), Stereo / DSD128(1bit 5.6MHz), Stereo / DSD256(1bit 11.
The UHr m~nuol cllfl be downloaded from (Support > 0ciwn1Hd ~I httpl//www.astottnlwrn.com1. Pres$ .ind hO!d thf' lf'owe1') buUori for ·1 st:cond!. or fMl'l? lo lort~ a shuldown it the llr(lducl 5'\op5, mallunc.lion occ.urs. On~e lhe d1>11lce has t.hUtdown, power lhB device back on. or a FCC ID· llDMPPM43 Tt11s. dev1c!I compt1ei;; with Part 15 of lhi! FCC Rull:$ Oper-allon ts subJect to the fotlowlng two condlhons, 111 lhis d&v,ce m~r Mt tau.se nannh.
