Astell&Kern expands its flagship player line with the A&ultima SP3000M, featuring the same superior audio circuitry and sound quality of the SP3000 while offering enhanced portability.
Astell&Kern announces the latest digital audio player (DAP) in its flagship line, the A&ultima SP3000M. It is the successor to the SP3000’s best in class audio performance, inheriting the superior audio circuitry structure and sound quality found in the SP3000, offering enhanced portability in a more compact size.
Complete Separation of Digital and Analog Signals
Astell&Kern equipped the A&ultima SP3000M with the same innovative HEXA audio circuit design first found in the SP3000, consisting of four of AKM’s flagship AK4499EX DACs and two separate AK4191EQ chips that handle digital signals.
Most digital players process digital and analog signals together inside the DAC. However, the SP3000 and SP3000M’s advanced HEXA 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.
With such an unparalleled design, the SP3000M physically separates digital and analog signals, showcasing the perfect A&ultima sound through an unmatched 130 dB SNR, like the SP3000, despite its much smaller size.
Stunning Audio Performance
To create not just a great DAP, but a truly innovative DAP, Astell&Kern tried to overcome the limitations of sound by envisioning an independent dual audio circuit for unbalanced and balanced outputs.
Almost all other DAPs, including previous Astell&Kern models, use the same 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. When using a switch, there is a limit to the range of 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 structure using two AK4191EQs and four AK4499EXs, creating an innovative unbalanced and balanced independent dual audio circuit design. As a result, the SP3000M achieves a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of 130dB, like the SP3000. You can feel the clean, pure delicacy of sound produced by the SP3000M that you cannot not experience in any other DAP except the SP3000.
Snapdragon Octa-Core CPU
The A&ultima SP3000M is equipped with a Snapdragon 6125 Octa-core processor and 8GB of DDR4 memory, which is twice the amount of RAM commonly used in DAPs. Along with a redesigned 4th generation user interface, the player features a more powerful system that 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.
Analog Sensitivity VU Meter
The SP3000M comes with a VU Meter GUI, which debuted on the SP3000T and was well-received by consumers for an even more immersive music experience. 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. Conveniently accessible via the bottom navigation bar, the VU Meter on the SP3000M allows you to monitor sound levels while viewing album art or streaming via our Open App Service.
The case included with the SP3000M is crafted from soft cowhide by GRUPPO MASTROTTO, boasting a superior level of craftsmanship that befits the A&ultima SP3000M. The leather case features a soft touch and has undergone a proprietary patented “anti-bacterial” and “anti-virus” process.
Using chrome tanning and dyeing with high-quality pigments, the leather maintains a uniform surface quality and showcases the distinctive vibrant colors characteristic of Italian leather. The rear pattern of the case expresses the same pattern as the back of the SP3000M, providing a perfect sense of unity.
The player includes 256GB of internal memory with support for microSD cards up to 1.5TB, dual-band 2.4/5Ghz a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi, DLNA networking, USB digital audio output, USB-C for data transfer and charging, and the ability to use the SP3000M as a USB DAC for your Mac or Windows-based PC. A 4.1” HD (720×1280 resolution) touch screen provides a high-resolution display. The SP3000M supports native playback of high-res PCM music up to 32-bit, 768kHz and DSD512.
ReplayGain
ReplayGain automatically and uniformly adjusts playback volume across different music tracks. 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.
The SP3000M includes support for aptX HD, LHDC and LDAC™ codecs to provide audiophiles with multiple options for 24-bit audio playback wirelessly. Latest generation Bluetooth 5.0 features faster transmission speed and greater range compared to Bluetooth 4.2, therefore providing a more stable wireless connection. BT Sink allows the SP3000 to connect to an external device via Bluetooth, and function as a Bluetooth DAC. Music from an external device, such as a smartphone can now be played back in high-quality, taking full advantage of the advanced audio innovations found in the SP3000M.
Qualcomm QC 3.0 fast charging allows you to charge your DAP faster and more efficiently than previous models, reaching a full charge in about 3.5 hours.
In a headphone environment in which the left and right channels are clearly separated, ear fatigue may increase during prolonged listening. The Crossfeed setting in the SP3000M mixes parts of the original signal from one channel and sends that signal to the opposite channel with a time difference to center the sound image. This effect provides the headphone user with a sound profile similar to listening to the same music track in a room with full-sized speakers. Using detailed settings such as Shelf Cutoff, Shelf Gain, and Mixer Level, you can set the level of crossfeed according to your listening preferences.
The SP3000M is Roon Ready certified.
“Tension” Design Concept
Like all Astell&Kern products, design is just as important as superior sound quality. The design concept of SP3000M is “Tension.”
While keeping the same diamond-shaped front of the SP3000, Astell&Kern added new features to emphasize the SP3000M as one of their flagship models.
The design of SP3000M was inspired by a diamond ring’s diamond and its prong.
Like the dramatic melodies of music, the design team added tension to the alignment of the volume knob and protector. The volume wheel knob meets the protector at the top and bottom ends, creating an image of the wheel being held with tight tension.
Triangular shapes growing smaller were placed toward the wheel, maximizing a sense of tension focusing on the wheel. The design of Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000M brings a rhythmic tension from its edges and guides your focus to the volume wheel knob.
Other design details include the cross patterns etched on the glass surface on the back of the player. Reminiscent of the SP3000’s design, the two patterns meeting at the corners also adds SP3000M’s unique concept of “Tension”.
Availability and Pricing
The Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000M will be available in November 2024 for $2,299 at authorized Astell&Kern dealers worldwide.
