Astell&Kern A&Ultima SP3000 Digital Audio Player - 24K Gold (With Free A&K Pathfinder IEMs)

Astell&Kern A&Ultima SP3000 Digital Audio Player - 24K Gold

 

Until 29th February 2024 buy an Astell&Kern SP3000 and get a free pair of Pathfinder IEMs worth £1899, whilst stocks last.

The SP3000 24K Gold Limited Edition is a celebration of the monumental success of the original SP3000, which received high praise from both audiophiles and media outlets worldwide. By incorporating the use of 24K pure gold, the most valuable metal in human history, Astell&Kern has elevated the SP3000 to a level of extreme luxury and value.

Not only does the use of gold add a unique and timeless beauty to the design of the product, but it also has practical advantages. Gold has a stunning luster, does not rust, and has exceptional electrical conductivity, making it a highly valued material in both jewelry and high-end audio components. However, working with 24K gold requires extreme precision and attention to detail, which is evident in the flawless finish of the SP3000 24K Gold Limited Edition.

Astell&Kern has spared no expense in creating this limited edition product, using a wet process for pure gold plating instead of a simple surface treatment. This results in a plating thickness of 0.5um+/- 20%, ensuring the highest quality product without compromise. Furthermore, to fully showcase the beauty of the SUS 904L material and gold plating, nickel plating and an AF coating were applied to the surface to prevent fingerprints and harden the surface.

The SP3000 24K Gold Limited Edition is not only a product of exceptional design and craftsmanship, but it also embodies Astell&Kern's brand philosophy. With this product, they invite you to discover a new horizon for premium audio players, where the unique beauty of timeless metals meets the incredible sound of the SP3000. As a limited edition product, it also includes a special leather case and package, making it a truly exclusive and valuable investment for any audiophile.

In conclusion, the Astell&Kern SP3000 24K Gold Limited Edition is a product that should not be missed by anyone who appreciates the highest quality and innovation in audio players. With its unparalleled design, advanced technology, and exceptional sound quality, it is a product that truly stands out in the market. Invest in the SP3000 24K Gold Limited Edition and elevate your audio experience to new heights.

 

Features

• Limited Edition 24K Pure Gold Plated
• World's first DAP with complete separation of digital and analog signal processing for the purest possible sonic reproduction
• World’s first use of Luxury-watch grade 904L Stainless Steel - an object of beauty that’s made to last!
• World's first device to use the new flagship AK4499EX DAC chip from Asahi Kasei used in innovative HEXA – Audio Circuitry structure
• High-Performance Qualcomm Snapdragon Octa-Core CPU for instantaneous and fluid system response
• Reimagined, improved and enhanced Graphic User Interface
• The SP3000 achieves a SNR of 130dB, the best of any DAP available

 

TERATON ALPHA: The Essence of A&K Audio Technologies Merged Into the SP3000

Thanks to the latest DAC and technology and the innovative audio technology of TERATON ALPHA, AK's Ultimate Sound Solution, you will get to hear music as close to the original sound as possible. HEXA-Audio Circuitry structure and independent dual audio circuit provide efficient power management and unwavering amplification, so you can be sure that your audio output is highly optimized for your listening pleasure. With the SP3000, you can enjoy the purest original sound, for an audio experience that you won't forget.

 

First Use of AKM’s Latest Flagship DAC, Complete Separation of Digital and Analog Signals

The SP3000 is a flagship product with the latest technology and uncompromising design. Astell&Kern worked with AKM from the initial development stage to develop the DAC and circuit structure.

As a result of the collaboration, the world's first four AK4499EX DACs, AKM's latest flagship, were applied to the SP3000, and the innovative HEXA-Audio Circuitry structure in which two AK4191EQs that process digital signals are applied separately, complete the amazing sound that can only be found from Astell&Kern.

Most digital players process digital and analog signals together inside the DAC. However, the SP3000’s advanced HEXA-Audio Circuitry structure reduces the noise of the digital signal input through the AK4191EQ, a separate digital delta-sigma modulator, and the AK4499EX DAC is then designed to process the analog signals separately. By applying this unique design, digital and analog signal processing that is physically separated has been achieved for the first time in a digital audio player, and the overwhelming SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) is maximized, making it possible to experience an incredible level of sound that has never been experienced before.

 

Silver Plated Shield Can

A shield can is applied to prevent various noise and electromagnetic interference from affecting the audio block. The SP3000 takes it a step further to achieve excellent audio performance and perfect shielding by applying highly conductive, high-purity silver on the existing shield can, and physically separating digital and analog signals.

 

Independent Dual Audio Circuit

In order to create a truly innovative DAP, not just a great DAP, Astell&Kern tried to overcome the limitations of sound by envisioning an independent dual audio circuit that has never been attempted by anyone with a HEXA-Audio Circuitry structure with unbalanced and balanced outputs.

Almost all other DAPs, including Astell&Kern, use an internal DAC for both unbalanced and balanced outputs. Since the signal from the DAC is divided into unbalanced and balanced then delivered to the AMP, an Audio Switch is essential. However, when using a switch, there is a limit to the range that can receive the signal sent by the DAC, so most DAPs reduce the signal size first and then when the signal is transmitted back to the amplifier, it is necessary to restore the original signal size. This causes a limitation in improving the audio performance.

To overcome the limitations, Astell&Kern engineers designed a HEXA-Audio Circuitry structure using two AK4191EQs and four AK4499EXs, creating an innovative unbalanced and balanced independent dual audio circuit design. In result, the SP3000 achieves a SNR of 130dB, the best of any DAP available. You can feel the clean, pure delicacy of sound with the SP3000 that you cannot not experience in any other DAP.

 

Latest Snapdragon Octa-Core CPU for the Newest Flagship Device

A&ultima SP3000 is equipped with a Snapdragon 6125 Octa-core processor, so you can enjoy the overwhelming sound, faster system response and a redesigned generation user interface that moves comfortably and smoothly.

Featuring a high-performance CPU and improved 8GB of DDR4 memory, which is twice the amount commonly used, the more powerful system is stable with fast and fluid movement.

The CPU, memory and wireless communication parts are configured as one module, with the digital circuit parts arranged in the same area creating a single system on a chip (SoC). This maximizes the efficiency of the overall circuit configuration by providing more audio-only circuit space as well as reducing heat and noise from digital circuits.

 

Graphic User Interface

With its newly developed UX/UI, the SP3000 is designed to give you an enjoyable and intuitive experience when listening to your favourite tunes. The Crimson theme is visually appealing, with its simple and unobtrusive graphics that focus on clarity and usability. It also features Edge, Simple and Dark Mode, as well as an improved search function and album art display so you can easily find your favourite music. The black and red theme colours are designed to reduce eye fatigue and conserve battery life, meaning you can enjoy your music for longer periods. The SP3000 also allows you to quickly browse through music categories with simple gestures, so you can rediscover songs you may have forgotten about.

 

Sound Design With DAC Filters

With the SP3000, you can have fun creating your own sound style by selecting various DAC filters provided by the DAC manufacturer.

Design your own sound with 6 different DAC filters.

 

Real-Time Information Confirmed by Light

SP3000 features a LED volume wheel which displays various playback information, including volume level and bit-rate of the track currently playing.

* LED can be turned on or off according to user setting.

 

	Supports Native DSD512, 32bit/768kHz SP3000 supports Native DSD512 and up to 32bit/768kHz with Astell&Kern’s excellent audio technology, allowing you to fully enjoy your favorite music.
	Adoption of 5.46 inch Full HD Display Experience the SP3000 more conveniently and comfortably with a wide 5.46-inch, large-screen Full HD display.
	AK File Drop to enjoy wireless transfers The new AK File Drop function in the SP3000 makes files transfers easier and more convenient. Using AK File Drop, you can freely transfer files wirelessly through a PC, smartphone, or FTP program located on the same network. Music file management is now possible with a cableless, wireless solution.
	ReplayGain Automatically and Uniformly Adjusts Playback Volume ReplayGain, which adjusts sound sources with different volumes to an identical level, has been applied. Now, enjoy your own playlists seamlessly through the ReplayGain feature on SP3000. * ReplayGain supports up to 24-bit/192 kHz sound sources.
	QC 3.0 Fast Charging Supported The SP3000 supports Qualcomm QC 3.0 fast charging, so you can charge your DAP faster and more efficiently than previous models, reaching a full charge in about 3.5 hours.
	Wireless Hi-Fi Sound Through BT Sink BT Sink function connects the SP3000 to an external device via Bluetooth, similar to connecting a smartphone with a BT speaker. Music from an external device, such as a smartphone can now be played back in high-quality on the SP3000 using the BT Sink function.

 

Premium Goat Leather Case

The SP3000 comes with a special French goatskin leather case from ALRAN Tannery – a renowned tannery with over 100 years of experience in natural leather manufacturing. This case is crafted with their unique Hand-Boarding technology, where wooden planks are used to rub the leather in various directions, giving it an unparalleled texture you won’t find with other goatskin cases. Protect and highlight the beauty of this 904L stainless steel body while enjoying the luxurious feel of natural leather – the perfect case for your SP3000.

 

Specification

General

• Model: SP3000
• Body Color: Gold
• Body Material: 24K Gold Plating
• Display: Full HD 5.46” 1080x1920 Touch Display
• Supported 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), Stereo / DSD512(1bit 22.4MHz), Stereo
• Output Level:
• Unbalanced 3.3Vrms
• Balanced 6.3Vrms (Condition No Load)
• CPU: Octa-core
• DAC: AKM AK4191 x2(Dual Modulator) & AK4499EX x4 (Dual + Dual DAC)
• Decoding: Support up to 32bit/768kHz Bit-to-Bit Playback
• Input: USB Type-C input (for charging & PC & MAC)
• Outputs:
  
  • Unbalanced Out (3.5mm), Optical Out (3.5mm)
  • Balanced Out (2.5mm, only 4-pole supported | 4.4m, only 5-pole supported)
• Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz)
• Bluetooth: V5.0 (A2DP, AVRCP, Qualcomm® aptX™HD, LDAC)
• Dimensions: 3.24” (82.4mm)[W] x 5.48” (139.4mm)[H] x 0.72” (18.3mm)[D]
• Weight: About 17.81oz (502g)
• Feature Enhancements: Firmware upgrade supported (OTA: Over-The-Air)

Audio Performance

• Frequency Response:
  
  • ±0.017dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalanced / ±0.021dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) Balanced
  • ±0.022dB (Condition : 20Hz~70kHz) Unbalanced / ±0.031dB (Condition : 20Hz~70kHz) Balanced
• S/N: 126dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 130dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
• Crosstalk: -136dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / -145dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
• THD+N: 0.0006% @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 0.0004% @ 1kHz, Balanced
• IMD SMPTE: 0.0007%, 800Hz 10kHz (4:1), Unbalanced / Balanced
• Output Impedance: 3.5mm(0.7ohm), 2.5mm(1.7ohm), 4.4mm(1.6ohm)

Clock

• Clock Jitter: 25ps (Typ)
• Reference Clock Jitter: 200 Femto Seconds

Storage

• Built-in Memory: 256GB [NAND]
• External Memory: microSD x1 (Max. 1TB)

Battery

• Capacity: 5,050mAh 3.8V Li-Polymer
• Charge Time: about 3.5hours (QC3.0 Charging)
• Playback Time: about 10 hours (Standard: FLAC, 16bit, 44.1kHz, Vol.80, LCD Off, Low Gain)

OS

• Supported OS: Windows 10,11 (32/64bit) MAC OS X 10.7

 

About Astell&Kern

Astell&Kern is the ultimate digital music source that brings you Mastering Quality Sound or MQS. Astell means ‘Stars’ in Latin and Kern means ‘Center’ in German. We believe Astell&Kern is the center of music.

Today, original music performances can be captured in digital almost exactly as they were performed due to new, advanced recording technology currently available. However, these high quality recordings are mainly listened to through inferior sound formats, such as MP3 or through streaming services. With the debut of the MP3 format, music lovers sacrificed sound quality for the convenience of being able to carry their music collection wherever they went. Because the MP3 format heavily compresses files for the sake of convenience, the vocals and instruments you hear are only an inferior version of the original. The soundstage and the ambience of the original performance often disappears when listening to compressed MP3 music. After pondering these issues, Astell&Kern was our solution to poor sound quality for the sake of portability, and our way in reviving the original sound quality of music, MQS, for music artists, recording engineers, and professionals.

Astell&Kern's pursuit is to provide natural and original sound without distortion. It showcases the presence of the original recording with miniscule details you may not have noticed from other music systems, while playing back high-resolution music bit by bit, exactly as it was recorded. The ability to play back the exact recording of any live performance is what Astell&Kern is known for.

The power of true sound from Astell&Kern can now be experienced and has been part of many famous audio exhibitions around the world. Astell&Kern is now admired by music lovers from many countries, including the USA, China, Japan, UK, France, and many more around the world.