Astell&Kern A&Ultima SP3000 Review

I’m always excited to see Astell&Kern continuously innovating their technology, especially when it’s so hard to imagine their pervious flagship, the SP2000, getting any better. But the company keeps improving its products, albeit at an increasingly hefty price. What can you expect in terms of sound and design from the new SP3000, and how much of a step up is it from the previous model?

In the Box

SP3000 DAP

Green leather case

Protective screen

Cleaning cloth

USB-C to USB cable

Look and Feel

Available in black and silver, this solid, 904L stainless steel brick of a player is only slightly shorter than the SP2000. And it feels quite a bit heavier. But it’s likely that most people will prefer elegant rectangular design of the SP3000 to the funky edges of the SP2000.

Although, I wouldn’t recommend walking around the city streets with this player in your pocket, it is doable and can be comfortably held in one’s hand. The DAP’s exterior sports a minimalist look. Three small buttons on the left side of the player control play/pause and track skipping. And on the right is the volume dial, which also powers the device on and off. The dial has a nice weight to it and enough resistance to ensure that you don’t accidentally blow out your ears. When turned on, the dial will also display colors depending on the bit depth of the file being played.

At the bottom of the DAP is the micro-SD slot and the USBC-C port, which is used for data transfer, charging and DAC connection, as well as for other external devices. At the top of the player, you’ll find a standard 3.5mm out, as well as 2.5mm and 4mm outs for balanced connection.

The screen is 5.46 inches with a full HD display. Astell&Kern fans will be pleased to find that this version, unlike the older models, is very fast and navigates with ease. As an iPhone user, I was also surprised to find the Android interface very intuitive and simple to use.

Design and Functionality

The most fundamental upgrade to the new flagship SP3000 is the circuitry. For the first time, Astell&Kern have implemented four new AKM DACs - the AK4499EX - as well as two AK4191EQ’s, which allows for the digital processing to be done separately from the analogue processing. This dual design sets the SP3000 apart from other players, which process the digital signal inside the DAC itself.  In part, because of this independent dual audio circuit setup, A&K have been able to deliver a 130db signal-to-noise ratio.

As for other specs, The SP3000 supports DSD512 files and PCM of up to 32-bit/768kHz. Curiously, A&K has reduced the internal storage from 512GB to 256GB. However, it also supports 1TB microSD cards, allowing the user to have a considerable library of tracks. And if that’s not enough, the DAP also supports external hard drives/USB sticks via the USB-C connection. Those who enjoy playing around with balance will appreciate the completely adjustable EQ with customizable EQ presets. With respect to the battery, SP3000 offers around 10 hours playback, as well as fast charging, which allows you to fully juice up the DAP in about 3.5 hours. Of course, the SP3000 is WiFi enabled, allowing you to stream from a bunch of different apps.

In addition, the device can stream files from the server on your home network. Also handy is the AK File Drop function that lets you wireless transfer files through your PC or smartphone. You’ll also be able to utilize Bluetooth, which supports hi-res formats, including aptX HD and LDAC.

Sound Impressions

If you need one justifiable reason to spend this much cash on a DAP, the soundstage is a good one. And it’s the element that stands out the most when it comes to the SP3000’s sound profile. Listening to anything from Daft Punk’s “Lose Yourself to Dance” to The Beatles’ "Come Together” is an altogether immersive, holographic experience. I hesitate to even declare whether or not the imaging is entirely accurate because I’ve rarely heard a soundstage this spaced out and nuanced in terms of height and depth. And instruments placed at a distance have the same level of color as those closer to the center, which adds to the ridiculously multidimensional feel of the almost any track you play. And whether it’s absolute precision or something more contrived seems almost irrelevant because it’s just too much fun to resist.

Apart from the pizzaz of the soundstage, the SP3000 delivers a rather neutral profile. At the same time, it has all the familiar elements that an Astell&Kern player delivers, such as the highly controlled feel, stunning speed and truly impressive level of transparency. Furthermore, the clarity balanced with that A&K smoothness ensures that the sound isn’t too dry or clinical.

Summary

There’s no question that with respect to sound, the remarkably colorful soundstage alone is reason enough to appreciate this admittedly high-priced flagship DAP. Of course, Astell&Kern’s unmistakeable sound characteristics are also alluring and hard to replicate. And although, in terms of skill, the SP3000 may not be a staggering upgrade from the SP2000, the newly designed circuitry is definitely innovative and worthy of attention from die-hard audiophiles. But at the end of the day, for lovers of sound, the SP3000 is the ultimate definition of luxury and class. From the exceedingly high quality 904L stainless steel exterior, to the pioneering technology within, the SP3000 cuts no corners and spares no expense. For audiophiles who refuse to compromise, the SP3000 is the closest thing to perfection in a box. And there are undoubtedly many audiophiles who will be willing to pay for such perfection.

You can check out the Astell&Kern SP3000 here or Add to Cart using the button below.