Name: Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000 | Flagship Digital Audio Player
Brand: Astell&Kern
SKU: 3PPF419C-CMBLN1
Price: 3299.0 USD
Availability: InStock

SP3000 black, silver, copper and gold versions 3 quarter front

Astell&Kern SP3000 black front with active screen

Astell&Kern SP3000 silver front and back

Astell&Kern SP3000 silver front with active screen

Astell&Kern SP3000 copper front with active screen

Astell&Kern SP3000 copper rear over white background

Astell&Kern SP3000 copper front quarter over white background

Astell&Kern SP3000 copper rear quarter over white background

Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000 | Flagship Digital Audio Player

$3,699.00 $3,299.00 Save 11%

Color

Black

Silver

Copper

Gold Limited Edition

Presenting the Astell&Kern SP3000, the Latest Flagship from the Leading DAP Creators

Available in Black, Silver, Copper and now 24K Gold Limited Edition (limited to 500 units globally)
Flagship DAP with Snapdragon 6125 8-Core CPU
World's 1st use of 904L Stainless steel for body: high resistance to corrosion
World's 1st DAP with full separation of digital / analog processing
All new player UI
Upgraded audio and system performance
Support for aptX™ HD and LDAC

Bloom's Take

The time is now. Even after its performance and UI started showing considerable signs of age, we still considered SP2000 to be the best sounding portable DAP in the world, and with the release of SP3000, the crown has finally been passed on to a successor. If you're looking for the best DAP in the world, the SP3000 is the new king.

Read the full review.

Need some guidance getting your music files onto your Astell&Kern DAP? Check out our updated Audiophile 101 guide!

Monument for Masterpiece: SP3000 24K Gold LE

Based on its innovative technology and perfect design, the A&ultima SP3000 received the highest praise from audiophiles and media outlets worldwide, for opening a new horizon with sound that reaches the pinnacle of DAPs. Astell&Kern sought to commemorate the monumental success of the SP3000 by introducing the 24K Gold Limited Edition crafted with gold, the most valuable metal in human history.

A&K started with the innovative Stainless Steel 904L material used for the first time in the SP3000 and plated it with 24K pure gold to capture the pinnacle sound of the SP3000 in a metal of extreme luxury and value. Gold has a beautiful luster, does not rust, is highly valued due to its rarity, and has excellent electrical conductivity, so it is used as a top-quality component for semiconductors and high-end audio. However, the highest purity 24K gold is difficult to handle due to its low hardness, so extremely meticulous processes were required to complete the SP3000 24K Gold Limited Edition.

To deliver the highest quality product without compromise, Astell&Kern used a wet process for pure gold plating (plating thickness of 0.5um+/- 20%) rather than simply a surface treatment. To fully highlight the SUS 904L material and gold plating, nickel plating was first applied, followed by the 24K gold plating, and then an AF coating was applied to harden the surface and prevent fingerprints.

The SP3000 24K Gold Limited Edition is a monumental design that fully expresses Astell&Kern's brand philosophy. Discover a new horizon for premium audio players with the unique beauty of timeless metals, and the amazing sound of the SP3000.

The SP3000 24K Gold Limited Edition includes a special leather case and package exclusive to this limited edition.

Astell&Kern SP3000 gold edition with whiskey bottle and poured glass

Innovations: World's First Use of 904L for Body Material

To achieve the goal of 'providing the best, unrivaled value with innovative and uncompromising design and craftsmanship,' the SP3000 uses 904L stainless steel never attempted before in a portable DAP. Due to its extra amounts of chromium, molybdenum, nickel, and copper, 904L features superior resistance to corrosion, rust, and acids.

Astell&Kern SP3000 highlighting mirror finish

TERATON ALPHA, The Essence of A&K Audio

Not only is the latest DAC and technology available used, but also implemented is the innovative audio technology of AK's Ultimate Sound Solution TERATON ALPHA, refined for the SP3000.

Closeup of Teraton circuit board

First Use of AKM's Latest Flagship DAC

The world's first quad (x4) flagship AK4499EX DAC is implemented in the SP3000, along with the HEXA-Audio Circuitry structure design in which dual AK4191EQ digital signal processors are applied separately, the magic behind the renowned A&K sound. Additionally, a silver-plated shield is applied to prevent noise and electromagnetic interference from affecting the audio block.

AKM DAC circuit board and diagram

Independent Dual Audio Circuit

In order to create a truly innovative DAP, A&K overcame several sound limitations by implementing never-before-attempted tech: a HEXA-Audio Circuitry structure with unbalanced and balanced outputs.

Diagram comparing typical audio circuitry structure with the SP3000 circuitry structure

Snapdragon 8-Core CPU and New UI

SP3000 is equipped with a Snapdragon 6125 Octa-Core processor and 8GB of DDR4 memory for fast system response, and a redesigned, next-gen smooth interface.

With the newly developed UI, the SP3000 focuses on the process and experience of listening to music, making it a DAP where you forget the tech and simply enjoy the moments.

Screenshots of the SP3000 user interface

Sound Design With DAC Filters

With the SP3000, you can have fun creating your own sound style by selecting and combining up to 6 different DAC filters.

List of sound filters and remarks for each

Additional Features and Enhancements

Digital Audio Remaster
The SP3000 is equipped with Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) technology, developed to deliver fine, vivid sound at higher sample rates.

5.46" Full HD Display
Experience the SP3000 more comfortably with a wide 5.46", large-screen, full HD display.

Wireless Hi-Fi Sound via BT Sink
Enjoy playback from an external device (ie. smartphone) in high-quality using the BT Sink function.

Automatic 'ReplayGain' and Uniform Volume Adjust
ReplayGain adjusts sound sources with different volumes to identical levels so you can enjoy your own playlists seamlessly.

Native DSD512
The SP3000 supports Native DSD512 and up to 32bit/768kHz!

Premium Goat Leather Case
The SP3000 comes with a French goatskin leather case for A&K style and protection.

Specifications

Display: HD 5.46” 1080x1920 Touch Display
Supported Formats: WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF, MQA
Sample Rate
PCM: 8kHz ~ 768kHz (8/16/24/32bits per Sample)
DSD Native
- DSD64 (1bit 2.8MHz) Stereo
- DSD128 (1bit 5.6MHz) Stereo
- DSD256 (1bit 11.2MHz) Stereo
- DSD512 (1bit 22.4MHz) Stereo
Output Level: UnBAL 3.3Vrms | BAL 6.3Vrms (No Load)
CPU: Octa-core
DAC: AKM AK4191 (x2) & AK4499EX (x4)
Decoding: Support up to 32bit/768kHz Playback
Input: USB-C input (for charging & PC/MAC)
Outputs
- UnBAL (3.5mm)
- Optical (3.5mm)
- BAL 2.5mm (4-pole)
- BAL 4.4m (5-pole)
Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz)
Bluetooth: V5.0 (A2DP, AVRCP, Qualcomm® aptX™HD, LDAC)
Dimensions: 3.24” x 5.48” x 0.72”
Weight: 17 oz
Firmware upgrade supported (OTG)
Built-in Memory: 256GB [NAND]
External Memory: microSD x1 (Max. 1TB)

In the Box

A&ultima SP3000 Device
Green Leather Case
USB Type-C Cable
Quick Start Guide
Astell&Kern 1 Year Warranty Card
microSD card slot cover (x2)
Protective Film (Front & Back)

Astell&Kern SP3000 with included accessories

hexagon warrior

Different from Sony's rendering of music, the sp3000 gave me a new understanding of music. When paired with the Fir Audio Rn6 recommended to me by Andrew, I called it a top-notch listening experience. The sp3000 makes the Rn6 play really well, I mean I have never heard such a dense sound, but the combination of the sp3000 and the Fir Audio Rn6 did it.

Practically Perfect Sound / Great Package

I am not going to elaborate and pontificate on the quality of the sound. To my ears it is practically perfect - - but who is to say my ears are perfect for sound. The interface is easy enough and it fits in my hand great and has good weight/solidness. Battery life is good and I prefer the optional black leather case over the included green case (but again I wouldn’t wear green shoes but maybe if you wear green shoes you would like the included case). ;-) Coupled with the Odyssey IEM's makes for a great listening experience. It sounds mighty fine with my Meze headphones too. So I am a happy camper.

Elegance

Covers the technicals and balances the frequencies perfectly. Revealing of details it presents them with elegance.

There is neither brightness nor dullness and the dynamics are excellent.

UI is smooth but Android is not free here. The UI feels more custom than full Android.

Happy

Magnificent

This is my first high end DAP and it’s stunning. Everything about the device and the software is perfect and the sound is incredible with Vision EXT and Kublai Khan

It's Fantastic . Full Stop

I had the 2000's, and they were great. The 3000's outshine them in sound and ease of use. I store an enormous amount of downloaded music and once transfered to the new unit, the unit handles the music effortly. And the sound, oh the sound, is absolutely fantastic. It's so good it makes me want to hear my music to hear what it really sounds like.
Two things that our minor only in the sound being so good. 1. The unit has less storage space than the 2000's. The 3000's have a t plus 256 gb. Total available and that is 256 gb less than the 2000's. And be sure you format the micro card to Fat32, even if you think it's already been formatted. If you don't it will heartache like you have never had.
But with the bumps that i had with the t card - the unit is SO FANTASTIC, ....if you want THE BEST DAP -- best sounding to say the least. This is the one for you!

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Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000 | Flagship Digital Audio Player