Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000 High-Resolution Music Player (Black)

Enjoy premium sonic performance with the black Astell & Kern SP3000, an A&ultima series high-resolution music player offering uncompromising audio fidelity for audiophiles and music lovers. A HEXA structure using two AK4191EQs and four AK4499EXs creates an innovative unbalanced and balanced independent dual audio circuit design provide a wide, flat frequency response, a high signal-to-noise ratio, and independent channels for the balanced 2.5mm & 4.4mm and unbalanced 3.5mm outputs. The 3.5mm port doubles as an optical output for easy hookup to an external DAC.

The SP3000 supports uncompressed bit-to-bit audio transmission in PCM resolutions up to 32-bit / 768 kHz or DSD resolutions up to 22.4 MHz. Dual-band Wi-Fi support allows you to wirelessly stream music from a mobile device or computer. When it comes time to load music onto the SP3000, its 256GB internal memory and compatibility with large-capacity microSD cards (up to 1TB) ensure that you won't run out of storage space anytime soon. With the Snapdragon 6125 octa-core CPU, a high-definition 5.46" touchscreen, and a sleek multifunction wheel, the SP3000 is powerful, fast, and easy to control. Its internal battery delivers up to ten hours of continuous playback time and supports QC 3.0 fast charging via USB. The SP3000 includes a USB Type-C cable and a premium leather case.

At a Glance

• World's first DAP where digital and analog signal processing is completely separated by HEXA-structure DAC design, headlined by four Asahi Kasei AK4499EX chips
• Stunning audio performance through independent dual audio circuits
• Stainless Steel 904L for DAP body material (typically found in luxury timepieces)
• Equipped with high-performance Qualcomm Snapdragon 6125 CPU
• Supports the aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec
• 4th generation user interface

Advanced Flagship DAC

• Complete separation of digital and analog signals in a HEXA structure
• 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.
• Utilizes four AK4499EX flagship DACs
• Innovative HEXA structure design also adds two AK4191EQs that process digital signals separately.
• Most digital players process digital and analog signals together inside the DAC. However, the SP3000’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.
• 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.

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.

Stunning Audio Performance with Independent Dual Audio Circuits

• Astell & Kern envisioned an independent dual audio circuit that has never been attempted by anyone with a HEXA 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, engineers designed a HEXA 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.

Snapdragon Octa-Core CPU

• 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 4th 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.

4th Generation Graphic User Interface

• With the newly developed 4th generation UX/UI, the SP3000 is focused on the process and experience of listening to music.
• 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 4th generation UI, is designed so that you can feel the appearance of the SP3000 on the screen. The graphics are simple and unobtrusive, 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.

Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) for Vivid Original Sound

• SP3000 features digital audio remaster (DAR) technology – the first time the technology has been applied in an Astell & Kern portable player.
• DAR technology is developed to upsample the sample rate of the sound source being played to go beyond the limits of the source format.
• The high sample rate allows more refined play and offers delicate and analog-like original sound, helping you to enjoy the richness of the original sound, subtle differences in the nuance o the music and rich sounds at a higher level.

Crossfeed Speaker Effect

• 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.

Real-Time Information Confirmed by Light

Inside the A&ultima's beautiful volume wheel are LED lights shaped like a majestic musical sound swirling through the unit. You can check the bit depth information of the currently playing song through the LED light that spreads intensely from the inside of the SP3000.

QC 3.0 Fast Charging Supported

• The SP3000 supports Qualcomm QC 3.0 fast charging, so you can charge the DAP faster and more efficiently than previous models, reaching a full charge in about 3.5 hours.
• QC 3.0 supports 12V/1.5A, 9V/1.67A, and/or 5V/2A adapters.

Premium Leather Case

• The SP3000 comes with a French goatskin leather case to protect and highlight the beauty of the 904L stainless steel body.
• The leather case included with the SP3000 is developed with ALRAN Tannery's unique hand-boarding technology. This is a technology that processes the leather by rubbing it in various directions using wooden planks, so you can feel the texture of the surface. This process is unique compared to how other goatskin cases are produced.

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