Anyone tried AK SP1000 as source in component system?

[diver110]

This thread bootstraps off of the thread on the SE100. Has anyone tried the AK SP1000 in their component system? Results? Right now I use the Mytek Brooklyn. I am probably downsizing to a condo and thus may need to go to a headphone set up as my primary set up regardless, but am still curious how the AK SP1000 would do.

 

[popof94]

Since I have bought the Hugo 2 i only use the sp 1000 with it. For me there is a real difference between the combo and the SP1000 alone. Better soundstage, better balance and credibility. I have tried to use iPhone from source for the Hugo2: there is a hug difference between the iPhone and SP1000. I don’t understand it, i thought that all the sources would be the same and that’s not true.

 

[emrelights1973]

Currently I am connecting my sp1000 to my pre amp to use as a streamer dac trough 2.5 mm / rca till I buy a new streamer...

It is not bad but my naim Cd2x/555ps combo is better but The cable is new so no final verdict yet

Anyway ak streaming app is not that good specially the Tidal part

 

[diver110]

Since I have bought the Hugo 2 i only use the sp 1000 with it. For me there is a real difference between the combo and the SP1000 alone. Better soundstage, better balance and credibility. I have tried to use iPhone from source for the Hugo2: there is a hug difference between the iPhone and SP1000. I don’t understand it, i thought that all the sources would be the same and that’s not true.

Well, as to your first point, that suggests that the Hugo has the better dac, at least for your ears. If you have the Hugo, itself portable, why go with the SP1000? Listening while on the move? A Hugo is an interesting alternative. How much better would you say the Hugo is versus the SP1000 alone? 10%?


At to you second point, a huge difference is hard to understand. Sound is not just about the dac, but still.....Others have any thoughts?

 

[emrelights1973]

You need a source for Hugo..... but it is a very good option for home stereo dac and sp1000 as a Uber expensive transport

 

[diver110]

You need a source for Hugo..... but it is a very good option for home stereo dac and sp1000 as a Uber expensive transport

Well, I definitely would not do both the SP1000 and the Hugo. I don't listen on the go to speak of, but at the same time want portability so I can listen when I get somewhere, and also may like to listen in different parts of the condo. I have heard a lot of good things about the Hugo. I had the Chord on trial and liked it well enough, but thought a channel failed and returned it (turned out to be something else, which I did not discover until too late).

 

[diver110]

Well, I definitely would not do both the SP1000 and the Hugo. I don't listen on the go to speak of, but at the same time want portability so I can listen when I get somewhere, and also may like to listen in different parts of the condo. I have heard a lot of good things about the Hugo. I had the Chord on trial and liked it well enough, but thought a channel failed and returned it (turned out to be something else, which I did not discover until too late).

I meant I had the Chord Mojo. Here is a link to an article that compares the Hugo and the SP1000: https://www.headfonia.com/review-chord-hugo-2-ruler-of-sound/3/.

Somewhat agrees with popof. What could make sense is something like the SE100 and the Hugo. Still fine sound when on the go, a bit of an upgrade when stationary, plus--if part of a component system--the ability to use AK Connect.

 

[popof94]

Absolutely. I have first bought the sp1000. After that was interested by the hugo2 and thought it would be possible to change the sp1000 for any other cheaper source with the same result and then resell the sp1000 for a cheaper DAP. I have bought the H2 and tried first with IPhone, after that I tried with my old Fiio X7 with a MacBook and with a DX200. The sp1000 was always better as source. Why? I don’t know and don’t understand. I have asked on our French forum « tellement nomade » not any credible answer. I use too AK connect and for the moment I keep both until I find a cheaper way for the same result.

 

[diver110]

Absolutely. I have first bought the sp1000. After that was interested by the hugo2 and thought it would be possible to change the sp1000 for any other cheaper source with the same result and then resell the sp1000 for a cheaper DAP. I have bought the H2 and tried first with IPhone, after that I tried with my old Fiio X7 with a MacBook and with a DX200. The sp1000 was always better as source. Why? I don’t know and don’t understand. I have asked on our French forum « tellement nomade » not any credible answer. I use too AK connect and for the moment I keep both until I find a cheaper way for the same result.

Well, I might be able to explain the iPhone piece, not sure about the Fiio. If you are connecting to the Hugo through the headphone jack, you are using the Iphone's sound card. I could see how that could reduce the sound quality. Are you using the digital out on the SP1000? That would be skipping right to the Hugo. If one wants the Hugo, I think one needs a portable source with a digital out to get optimum performance, no?

 

[popof94]

For the iPhone I have though the same because of the lightning cable. But I have tried the sp1000, fiiox7 and DX200 with the optical output and the same cable for the 3 DAP.

 

[diver110]

For the iPhone I have though the same because of the lightning cable. But I have tried the sp1000, fiiox7 and DX200 with the optical output and the same cable for the 3 DAP.

And the SP1000 always wins? That is odd. Just guessing, but I suppose the higher quality SP1000 could do a better job of communicating the digital data. The others could be inserting, say, more timing errors. And/or the SP1000 has a higher quality optical out. Have you tried any other outs?

 

[popof94]

Always win, unfortunately because I would prefer that a cheaper DAP do the same. I have seen a lot of revue about the hugo2. A lot of them says that all the sources are the same but it is not true. About the outputs I have tried the 3,5 optical and USB to USB. I have found the optical better so only use this one. I have also tried different quality of cables and have not found any difference.

 

[diver110]

Always win, unfortunately because I would prefer that a cheaper DAP do the same. I have seen a lot of revue about the hugo2. A lot of them says that all the sources are the same but it is not true. About the outputs I have tried the 3,5 optical and USB to USB. I have found the optical better so only use this one. I have also tried different quality of cables and have not found any difference.

Well, if you ever figure out why, please let us know.

 

[popof94]

Of course

 

[emrelights1973]

They are cd transports for 100$ or 100k$