Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000

[rlw6534]

In the meantime ibasso has updated all its newer players to a newer version of android and HiBy releases new firmwares every two months, polishing the system and adding great functionality.

If it wasn’t a massive cash loss involved I would really be tempted to sell my brick.

Firmware updates have always been an issue with A&K products. I don't recall any device ever getting an Android version update. Hell, they still sell the SP2000 with ancient Android 6 which is no longer supported by Tidal. Older versions still work, but who knows for how long.

 

[damascato]

Unfortunately, Astell & Kern is very cautious with the firmware updates. I can use my SP3000 with firmware 1.14 quite well and the sound is excellent. The new firmware is supposed to come in the next few days. What remains exciting is what has been added and adjusted there.

If you want my prediction, not much.

I’m really tempted about getting rid of it and getting an RS8

 

[NYanakiev]

Same here. Only reason I have stuck with Astell&Kern products after sp2000 is due to their excellent performance as a Roon endpoint.

Obviously the sp3000 sounds great but software leaves a lot to be desired.
I had high hopes that Roon Arc playback will not be limited by Android Audio but that seems to not be happening either.

 

[uncle b]

Unfortunately, Astell & Kern is very cautious with the firmware updates. I can use my SP3000 with firmware 1.14 quite well and the sound is excellent. The new firmware is supposed to come in the next few days. What remains exciting is what has been added and adjusted there.

The best news I’ve heard all year!!!

 

[Kobe4ever]

In the meantime ibasso has updated all its newer players to a newer version of android and HiBy releases new firmwares every two months, polishing the system and adding great functionality.

If it wasn’t a massive cash loss involved I would really be tempted to sell my brick.

Do you seriously want to compare the A&K flagship with the products of iBasso and Hiby?
Updates will come as they always have been installed in every A&K DAP.

 

[damascato]

Same here. Only reason I have stuck with Astell&Kern products after sp2000 is due to their excellent performance as a Roon endpoint.

Obviously the sp3000 sounds great but software leaves a lot to be desired.
I had high hopes that Roon Arc playback will not be limited by Android Audio but that seems to not be happening either.

It's amazing how they want to avoid having a full Android experience for performance reasons. At the same time they have to live with the Android inherent limitations and can't work around it.

 

[JasonNYC]

@JasonNYC look forward to any updates from your side

It was a holiday here in the US yesterday. I did not see an update when I got into the office today. Will be following up when the team in Korea gets into work for Wednesday morning.

 

[damascato]

Do you seriously want to compare the A&K flagship with the products of iBasso and Hiby?
Updates will come as they always have been installed in every A&K DAP.

Having had or tried most of them mate, DX320 and RS8 are no slouch at all, even compared to the SP3000 (which I own)

 

[JasonNYC]

The new firmware is supposed to come in the next few days.

There was no confirmation that a new firmware update is coming in the next few days. I was hoping to have more info this week.

 

[JasonNYC]

I had high hopes that Roon Arc playback will not be limited by Android Audio but that seems to not be happening either.

This is a built-in limitation of the Roon ARC app. We have no control over Roon allowing the app to bypass Android resampling. This is something that is supposed to be fixed in a later Roon ARC update, but it is out of our control.

 

[JasonNYC]

It's amazing how they want to avoid having a full Android experience for performance reasons. At the same time they have to live with the Android inherent limitations and can't work around it.

All of our steaming apps bypass Android resampling limitations. The Roon ARC app, not designed by Astell&Kern, does not allow the option. Unfortunately that is beyond our control.

 

[emdeevee]

Having had or tried most of them mate, DX320 and RS8 are no slouch at all, even compared to the SP3000 (which I own)

Those are also flagship models and have just as many fans as AK. For good reason from everything I read.

 

[CharlyBrown]

I saw someone commenting on the SP3000 in black vs silver. I own a black unit and recently got to see the silver in the flesh (in the metal?) for the first time.

While more visually striking, it is an absolute fingerprint magnet, which is normal given how shiny it is. I also noticed some little scratches here and there, which are nowhere to be seen on my black SP3K that has coating on it.

If you like the black version better, then It’s the right version for you. But PVD coating is imho a disadvantage, durability wise. It’s basically a layer over the stainless steel that scratches and if the cut is deep enough, the silver shines through. Not nice. I’ve seen this on a regular basis on PVD coated luxury watches thats why I would always go with SS. PVD is also a fingerprint magnet…

 

[CharlyBrown]

I can't imagine getting to the point of buying a flagship player of any brand without already having a huge library on a local SD. Doesn't it need to start there?

No

 

[damascato]

Those are also flagship models and have just as many fans as AK. For good reason from everything I read.

Without many of the limitations and interface glitches I’m discovering the more I use the SP3000.

It’s a real shame as I really wanted to love this DAP