Introducing the Astell&Kern SP3000T, a Portable DAP that Defies Convention and Offers a Unique Fusion of Analog and Digital Excellence

DAP with Snapdragon 6125 8-Core CPU
Features 316L Stainless Steel with 99.9% pure Silver-plating
Now available in Copper finish - Limited to 1,000 units globally
Dual RAYTHEON JAN6418 MIL-SPEC vintage vacuum tubes
Triple Amp System (OP-AMP/Tube/Hybrid Amp Mode) with 3-step tube current options
Complete separation of digital and analog signal processing (uses [x2] AK4499EX flagship DAC chips and [x2] AK4191EQ)
Includes yellow calfskin case - Optional Black and Taupe leather cases also available

Bloom's Take

In 2021, Astell&Kern took the plunge into the portable micro tube foray with their flagship SP2000T digital audio player. SP3000T brings a number of upgrades, adopting the new flagship platform pioneered by the SP3000 but with a bump in sound, design, and UI performance. It starts with the same size and shape as the SP3000 along with similar build and materials. But what's new are a few functional changes, some slight technical variations, and a back panel window revealing warm LEDs with active tubes. You also get the standard A&K premium DAP feature set with flexible amp mode and gain control options to find your preferred sweet spot.

From build and design to sound quality and power, SP3000T exudes excellence. It yields a strong flagship experience across the board, and if you want something relaxed with a focus on vocals and immersive presentation of your music, SP3000T is as good as it gets.

Read the full review here.

Analog Warmth, Digital Precision

Astell&Kern's ethos of producing immersive sound from high-resolution original music stands as a testament to the spirit of innovation and excellence embodied in the A&ultima series. Their goal was to surpass the impeccable design and high-resolution sound of their previous flagship SP3000 by crafting an audio player that truly captures the emotion and resonance of music.

Developed with this vision in mind, the A&ultima SP3000T channels the profound emotion and lasting essence of analog audio. The integration of a real vacuum tube creates an authentic analog sound complemented by cutting-edge audio technology such as TERATON ALPHA for an immersive auditory experience.

Introducing the A&ultima SP3000T — a portable audio player that defies convention, offering a unique fusion of analog and digital excellence.

SP3000T with connected Empyrean 2 headphone on wood table with features banner

SP3000T Copper Edition

Astell&Kern strives to create more than just sound, focusing on excellence in sound quality. The SP3000T Copper Edition demonstrates this philosophy by delivering exceptional sound characteristics.

Copper, known for its excellent sound transmission and resonance properties, typically enhances the brightness and richness of tones in musical instruments.
This quality has been repeatedly validated in A&K products using Copper for its outstanding electrical conductivity and high shielding performance.

Because of its material properties, Copper oxidizes and discolors upon contact with air. The SP3000T Copper Edition utilizes over 99.98% pure copper with a special multilayer coating that enhances durability, ensuring it maintains its beautiful color and luster without requiring special maintenance.

SP3000T Copper offers more than just music - it provides an emotional experience beyond music.

SP3000T Copper finish over copper colored hexagonal plate with A&K Novus earphones

True Analog Sound with Real Vacuum Tube

The original vacuum tube is known for its warm sound, attributed to its distinctive rich harmonics. However, its impracticality in terms of miniaturization, primarily due to power control and footprint issues, presented a formidable obstacle, rendering it unsuitable for use in portable audio players.

In A&K's unyielding quest for innovation and refusal to compromise, they worked to bridge the gap between stationary and portable audio by infusing the essence of analog sound. These efforts eventually culminated in the pairing of the SP3000T with the RAYTHEON JAN6418 miniature vacuum tube, a mini vacuum tube popular among audiophiles. Designed to meet military specifications and traditionally used in military communication gear, it quickly garnered recognition for its distinctively warm and soft sound, leading to its integration into regular audio devices.

SP3000T quarter rear eye-level warm with assorted tubes on black table

Sound Craftsmanship for the Ultimate Vacuum Tube Sound

Due to inherent differences in noise and amplification in original vacuum tubes, Astell&Kern adopted the meticulous selection process of carefully and precisely measuring and pairing each JAN6418. This minimizes output deviation between the left and right channels, resulting in more natural sound reproduction.

Every shielding operation on the vacuum tube is carefully executed by hand to minimize potential noise interference. And thanks to their unwavering dedication to craftsmanship, A&K has successfully brought the distinctive spatial sense and balance found in their existing players into the analog realm of vacuum tube sound.

Minimizing Microphonic Noise

SP3000T vertical explosion internal tube diagram

The integration of vacuum tubes into compact, portable devices presents a formidable technical hurdle: maintain low noise level while delivering resolution and robust output. This challenge was tackled in the SP3000T with a custom-made solution designed to minimize microphonic noise, even during minor shocks or vibrations.

Independent modular, flexible PCB design-engineered separately from the main PCB
Silicone case designed to absorb primary shocks from the vacuum tube
Silicone tubing tailored to the vacuum tube leads to reduce shock transmission
Silicone dampers around the vacuum tube suspend the tubes in the air

Tube Current Option

SP3000T Tube Current interface screenshot

A&K developed an internal plate voltage control system which can be adjusted in three stages and directly affects the amplification rate of the vacuum tube amplifier, resulting in nuanced changes in sound texture. Experience the subtle shifts in density and spatial presence in your headphones or IEMs as you fine-tune the current of the tube amp.

Vacuum Tube LED

While in vacuum tube mode or hybrid mode, the vacuum tubes on the back of the SP3000T emit light, enhancing the device's subtle and stylish analog feel.

*Please note the tubes do not light up when the device is in OP AMP Mode.

A&K Triple Amp System

Harnessing the power of Astell&Kern's unique TERATON ALPHA technology, the A&ultima SP3000T achieves seamless harmony between the rich, authentic analog sound of a real tube and the dynamic clarity of an OP AMP. The SP3000T offers three distinct modes to cater to your audio preferences:

OP AMP Mode
Unparalleled high resolution and dynamics that faithfully reproduces the original sound without distortion - an Astell&Kern hallmark sound.

TUBE AMP Mode
The authentic essence of analog sound, nothing compares to the warm texture and distinctive sense of space delivered by a Tube Amp. Enjoy the smooth and inviting analog sound unique to real vacuum tube technology.

HYBRID AMP Mode
Departing from the traditional Vacuum Tube AMP and OP AMP modes, the SP3000T features a groundbreaking HYBRID AMP mode that seamlessly blends the best of analog warmth and high-resolution output to create a unique tonal experience. With five adjustable levels, tailor your sound for an optimal listening session.

three thumbnails highlighting each SP3000T Amp mode

NEW VU Meter GUI

The SP3000T marks a milestone for Astell&Kern as the first device to feature a VU Meter GUI, providing a visual representation of sound levels as you indulge in your favorite music.

The VU Meter, an iconic piece of audio equipment with a long-standing history, displays voltage levels of voice signals to aid volume measurement and adjustment. Beyond its utilitarian function, the VU Meter's unique design and retro charm help to enhance the immersive music-listening experience.

Astell&Kern SP3000T front displaying VU UI on wood table with decorative tubes

Additional Features and Enhancements

Snapdragon Octa-Core CPU
A&ultima SP3000T is equipped with a Snapdragon 6125 Octa-core processor. Paired with 8GB of DDR4 memory as a SoC and a redesigned user interface, you'll experience a faster system response and fluid, smooth engagement.

Digital Audio Remaster
The SP3000T is equipped with Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) technology, developed to deliver fine, vivid sound at higher sample rates.

Sound Design with DAC Filters
With the SP3000T, have fun creating your own sound style by selecting up to 6 various DAC filters provided by the DAC manufacturer. Choose from Natural, Acoustic, or Traditional tones along with Harmonic, Acoustic, or Traditional sound types.

Streaming & AK Connect
A&K DAPs are seamlessly integrated with external streaming apps through the Open App Service. And with AK Connect, you can easily access and play/download music from your PCs and devices connected to the same network in real-time.

5.5" Full HD Display
Experience the SP3000T more comfortably with a wide 5.5", large-screen, full 1080x1920 HD touch display.

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

AK File Drop
With the new AK File Drop function in the SP3000T, you can freely transfer files wirelessly through a PC, smartphone, or FTP program located on the same network.

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 SP3000T supports Native DSD512 and up to 32bit/768kHz!

QC 3.0 Fast Charging
The SP3000T supports Qualcomm QC 3.0 fast charging, so you can charge your DAP faster and more efficiently than previous models.

Shrunken Calfskin Leather Case
The SP3000T comes with a deluxe case crafted from shrunken calf leather sourced from Perlinger in Germany and Alcantara in Italy, ensuring a level of style and quality that matches the quality of the device. Check out Astell&Kern's optional Black and Taupe leather cases available separately.

SP3000T in yellow calfskin case on included wood case

Specifications

General

Body: Silver Stainless Steel with pure Silver plating | 99.98% pure Copper
Display: 5.5” 1080x1920 full HD touch
Audio 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), DSD512 (1bit, 22.4MHz) Stereo
Output Level: 3.3Vrms UnBAL | 6.3Vrms (no load) BAL
CPU: Octa-Core
DAC: (x2) AKM AK4191 (modulator) + (x2) AKM AK4499EX (DAC)
Vacuum Tube: (x2) RAYTHEON JAN6418
Decoding: Up to 32bit / 768kHz Bit to Bit playback
Input: USB-C input (for charging, PC, and MAC)
Outputs: 3.5mm UnBAL + Optical | 2.5mm (4-pole) + 4.4mm (5-pole) BAL
Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz)
Bluetooth: V5.0 (A2DP, AVRCP │ Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, LDAC, LHDC)
Dimensions: 3.33" x 5.57" x 0.70"
Weight: 17oz
Firmware upgrade supported (OTA)
Operating Temperature: 32℉ ~ 104℉)
OS: Windows 7,8,10 (32/64bit) | MAC OS X 10.7 +

Audio

Frequency Response
- 20Hz~20kHz: ±0.005dB UnBAL | ±0.003dB BAL
- 20Hz~70kHz: ±0.006dB UnBAL | ±0.024dB BAL
SNR: 120dB @ 1kHz UnBAL│ 124dB @ 1kHz BAL
Crosstalk: -136dB @ 1kHz UnBAL│ -145dB @ 1kHz BAL
THD+N: 0.0005% @ 1kHz UnBAL│ 0.0004% @ 1kHz BAL
IMD SMPTE: 0.0007% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1)
Impedance: 1.5Ω (3.5mm UnBAL) │ 1.5Ω (2.5mm BAL) | 1.4Ω (4.4mm BAL)
Clock Jitter: 25ps (Typ)
Reference Clock Jitter: 200 Femto Seconds

Storage + Battery

Built-in Memory: 256GB [NAND]
External Memory: (x1) microSD (Max. 1TB)
Battery Capacity: 5050mAh 3.8V Li-Polymer
Battery Charge Time: about 3.5 hours (QC3.0 charging)
Playback Time: about 10 hours (FLAC, 16bit, 44.1kHz UnBAL, Vol.50, LCD Off, LED On, OP AMP Mode)

In the Box

SP3000T
Calfskin case
USB-C cable
Wooden storage box
Astell&Kern 1 Year Warranty Card

SP3000T bird's eye on wood desk with retail box and all accessories