Astell & Kern Kann, £899

At 2.6cm thick, the Astell & Kern Kann is hardly pocket-friendly, but over the past month I’ve come to love – or maybe forgive – its odd angles and clunky controls, because whatever I play on it sounds sensational. Benjamin Britten conducting the English Chamber Orchestra in Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 (DSD256 file) left me almost shellshocked, such is the power and drive the player is able to convey, while more restrained Bach from Yo-yo Ma (streamed via Tidal) sounded beautifully indulgent. For those interested in what’s under the bonnet, the Kann handles 382 KHZ/32 bit PCM and DSD256 files, features aptx Bluetooth technology, and can stream in hi-res over Wi-fi using Tidal. There’s a decent 64GB memory, expandable to 768GB using SD Cards. The built-in DAC can significantly improve the sound of your computer, and it boasts 3.5mm and 2.5mm balanced output jacks and enough power to drive even the most demanding headphones. Yes, £900 is a significant investment, but if you have a large hi-res digital music library and a taste for expensive headphones, the features and performance on show will make it feel like quite the bargain. astellnkern.com