Name: Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000 | Flagship Digital Audio Player
Brand: Astell&Kern
SKU: 3PPF419C-CMBLN1
Price: 3699.0 USD
Availability: InStock

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 rear quarter over white background

Astell&Kern SP3000 copper front quarter over white background

Astell&Kern SP3000 copper front and back

$3,699.00

Color

Black

Silver

Copper

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

Available in Black, Silver, and now Copper finishes
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 User Interface
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.

Luxury Meets Innovation, SP3000

Astell&Kern's A&ultima SP3000 is the wildly anticipated successor to the SP2000, the world's first DAP with independent Dual Audio Circuitry, and the latest DAC with HEXA-Audio Circuitry structure. The A&ultima SP3000 is a true next-generation flagship and the pinnacle of audio players.

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: Unbalanced 3.3Vrms | Balanced 6.3Vrms (No Load)
CPU: Octa-core
DAC: AKM AK4191 (x2) & AK4499EX (x4)
Decoding: Support up to 32bit/768kHz Bit-to-Bit Playback
Input: USB-C input (for charging & PC/MAC)
Outputs
- Unbalanced (3.5mm)
- Optical (3.5mm)
- Balanced 2.5mm (4-pole)
- Balanced 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

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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!

Spectacular

My recent Astell Kern path has taken me from the SE200, to the SP2000T and more recently the SP2000 Copper. The SP3000 exceeds my expectation. I will focus the on the notable differences to the magical SP2000. The biggest difference is the soundstage. It's not just wider, but it is truly holographic, with amazing layering that is deep, high, wide, low. The soundscape surrounds you. The second biggest difference is the texture and separation from the low end. At the lowest frequency response the instrament separation is nothing short of astonishing. Even more impressive is how this interacts with the soundstage. The lower frequency notes just envelope the soundscape, it's not just THERE but you hear and sense how the MOVES through the holographic space, like a wave. Other notable improvements are transparency and more neutral frequency response. Build quality stunning (sculpted art). I'm pairing this with 64 Audio A18s, A12t, and Legend Evo. A18s geting the most listening time.

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