Astell&Kern has set the standard for perfect sound using the latest innovative technology with the A&ultima series.
The A&ultima SP3000 is the newest flagship product that is the essence of everything learned and engineered over the last 10+ years of digital music processing.
A&ultima SP3000 is the world’s first DAP with independent Dual Audio Circuitry and the latest DAC with HEXA-Audio Circuitry structure, and uses all audio technologies and the best materials that lets you feel the overwhelming impact of sound and music.
Experience perfection firsthand with the true next-generation flagship, A&ultima SP3000, the pinnacle of audio players.
World’s First Use of Stainless Steel 904L for DAP Body Material
To achieve the goal of the A&ultima series, which is 'to provide the best value that no one can imitate while using the most innovative and uncompromising design and craftsmanship', the SP3000 uses 904L stainless steel material that has never been attempted before in a portable audio player. Using this material has expanded its value from just a digital device to the realm of a luxury good. 904L stainless steel is harder and more difficult to process than general stainless steel requiring significantly more time and effort. However, due to its excellent durability and corrosion resistance, it has a characteristic that does not lose its beauty and is why it is used in expensive luxury watches where perfection in all materials and parts must be pursued with an irreplaceable and wonderful luster. Experience the uncompromising beauty and luxury of the SP3000 produced by Astell&Kern’s experienced craftsmanship.
First Use of AKM’s Latest Flagship DAC
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.
Complete Separation of Digital and Analog Signals
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.
The Essence of A&K Audio Technologies Merged Into the SP3000
In order to develop the ultimate audio player that has never been experienced before, not only do we use the latest DAC and technology available, but we use the innovative audio technology of TERATON ALPHA, AK's Ultimate Sound Solution, which has been refined for the SP3000. TERATON ALPHA, engineered through endless research, is Astell&Kern's unique technology that has been designed to produce audio playback that is close to the original sound through effective power noise removal, efficient power management and unwavering amplification, and a fully converted audio output interface. HEXA-Audio Circuitry structure and independent dual audio circuit, implemented for the first time in the SP3000, are paired together with TERATON ALPHA's sound solution to create the purest original sound.
New Experience in the Graphic User Interface
With the newly developed UX/UI, the SP3000 is focused on the process and experience of listening to music, and we wanted to become a ‘Player for music’ that one can feel this process. The new theme is designed with a focus on the experience of rediscovering songs that you have forgotten; you can quickly browse through music categories with simple gestures. A convenient search feature along with album art has been added so that you can enjoy a digital display of CD album covers of your music collection. It is designed to give you not only the pleasure of listening to music, but also to create fun when operating the device. In addition, the Crimson theme, one of the main features of the new generation UI, is designed so that you can feel the appearance of the SP3000 on the screen. The graphics are simple and unintrusive, focusing on usability and intuitiveness. Three key concepts, Edge, Simple, and Dark Mode, were used to improve usability and increase clarity with a style unique to AK. The black and red theme colors are chosen to reduce eye fatigue, maximize battery usage and reduce heat generation.
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.
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.
Crossfeed, Speaker effect when listening through headphones
In a headphone environment in which the left and right channels are clearly separated, ear fatigue may increase during prolonged listening. The moment you turn on Crossfeed, the experience of crisp, but comfortable sound begins. Crossfeed 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.Through the use of detailed settings such as Shelf Cutoff, Shelf Gain, and Mixer Level, you can set the level of crossfeed according to your listening preferences.
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.
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.
Specification
Body Color: Black, Silver
Body Material: Stainless Steel 904L
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 17.39oz (493g)
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 Jitter: 25ps (Typ)
Reference Clock Jitter: 200 Femto Seconds
Built-in Memory: 256GB [NAND]
External Memory: microSD x1 (Max. 1TB)
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)
Supported OS: Windows 10,11 (32/64bit) MAC OS X 10.7
