Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000

[coresagest]

Hi

in general I’m super happy with the SP3k and 99% of my listening habits are covered.
What concerns me, even if it’s only 1% of my needs, is watching videos via V-Link as I get the following warning when opening the app:

„Video Quality - the device supports video playback up to 720p. When playing video above 1080p, it may cause damage to the unit not covered by warranty.“

It reads like a hoax but still concerns me. Is this for real, I mean it’s almost uncontrollable with auto quality and you don’t want to rely on Youtube not switching the quality/changing your settings…

Is it a message from V-Link that can be ignored or is it an actual message from A&K/SP3k? Especially as an IT guy I guess the latter, but I also know that not everything that happens sounds real. So better safe than burning 4.3k€

I’m excited for your opinions and experiences!

 

[CharlyBrown]

Can you share which USB C to USB-C cable is working with your iPad as none of mine has worked so far

First I tried with a cheap cable from Amazon (worked)

Now I'm using a short black cable that came with my Samsung SSD. Works, as well. iPad Pro 2020 12.9", latest iPad OS.

 

[FooFighter]

First I tried with a cheap cable from Amazon (worked)

Now I'm using a short black cable that came with my Samsung SSD. Works, as well. iPad Pro 2020 12.9", latest iPad OS.

Thx mate.
Seems to be a compatibility issue then with my IPad M1

 

[CharlyBrown]

Hi

in general I’m super happy with the SP3k and 99% of my listening habits are covered.
What concerns me, even if it’s only 1% of my needs, is watching videos via V-Link as I get the following warning when opening the app:

„Video Quality - the device supports video playback up to 720p. When playing video above 1080p, it may cause damage to the unit not covered by warranty.“

It reads like a hoax but still concerns me. Is this for real, I mean it’s almost uncontrollable with auto quality and you don’t want to rely on Youtube not switching the quality/changing your settings…

Is it a message from V-Link that can be ignored or is it an actual message from A&K/SP3k? Especially as an IT guy I guess the latter, but I also know that not everything that happens sounds real. So better safe than burning 4.3k€

I’m excited for your opinions and experiences!

I'd definitely ignore it. But use at your own risk and don't sue me

Seriously, why / what should break? Worst case it can't play some resolutions.

 

[subguy812]

I'd definitely ignore it. But use at your own risk and don't sue me

Seriously, why / what should break? Worst case it can't play some resolutions.

It appears that maybe the screen isn't spec'ed for higher resolutions. It isn't an open Android system so it kind of makes sense. If I had a warning, I probably wouldn't push my luck.

 

[Chesty]

I don't have any issues with my USB-C iPad.

May I ask what USB-C to USB-C cable you are using?

 

[DarginMahkum]

May I ask what USB-C to USB-C cable you are using?

It is a simple Amazon Basics USB-C cable.

 

[rocketron]

Hi guys.
I don’t know if this will help?
Apples latest update for the iPhone had a fix in it for the usbc 3 adapter.
I noticed a few of my dongles didn’t work and thought the adapter was faulty.
Read the update notes and it mentions a fix.
So did the latest up date and it all fine.
All my lightning to usbc adapter and cables work again.
I don’t have a SP3000 to test.

 

[coresagest]

I'd definitely ignore it. But use at your own risk and don't sue me

Seriously, why / what should break? Worst case it can't play some resolutions.

From a tech side - I studied computer science - nothing at all should happen. Worst case it freezes/video isn’t playing.

On the other hand, from a tech side as well, everything you don’t except can absolutely happen, no matter how weird and impossible it seems

Eventually I will try it, currently I feel more like @subguy812

 

[JasonNYC]

Hi

in general I’m super happy with the SP3k and 99% of my listening habits are covered.
What concerns me, even if it’s only 1% of my needs, is watching videos via V-Link as I get the following warning when opening the app:

„Video Quality - the device supports video playback up to 720p. When playing video above 1080p, it may cause damage to the unit not covered by warranty.“

It reads like a hoax but still concerns me. Is this for real, I mean it’s almost uncontrollable with auto quality and you don’t want to rely on Youtube not switching the quality/changing your settings…

Is it a message from V-Link that can be ignored or is it an actual message from A&K/SP3k? Especially as an IT guy I guess the latter, but I also know that not everything that happens sounds real. So better safe than burning 4.3k€

I’m excited for your opinions and experiences!

Some of the older gen players had 720p screens, so the warning is mainly for them. It was never updated on the newer players with full hd screens. It could be worded better. The SP3000 with full HD screen 8gb RAM and Snapdragon processor will have no issues with higher res video files.

 

[JasonNYC]

Is there any way to use the SP3000 as a DAC/AMP for iDevices iPhone or iPad?

As per the instruction manual and other materials, the USB DAC function is only supported on a PC or Mac.

People have had success with using phones/iPads with the USB DAC mode. It is easier with Android or iPad devices with USB-C as Apple limits the input/output via lightning connection. Some Andeoid phones will require a OTG cable, others won't. We've also found a lot of times when a iOS update is released, if it worked before, it will stop working.

With Lightning connection, people have had success using the Apple Camera Connection Kit or a Lightning to USB dongle such as the ddHifi TC35i adapter.

The easiest thing to do and best supported across all mobile devices is using the Bluetooth Sink function where the SP3000 is in Bluetooth DAC mode. Please note, max playback resolution over Bluetooth will be 24/96 depending on the Bluetooth codec.

 

[coresagest]

Some of the older gen players had 720p screens, so the warning is mainly for them. It was never updated on the newer players with full hd screens. It could be worded better. The SP3000 with full HD screen 8gb RAM and Snapdragon processor will have no issues with higher res video files.

Thanks a lot for the quick reply! Tested it and it works

 

[CharlyBrown]

As per the instruction manual and other materials, the USB DAC function is only supported on a PC or Mac.

People have had success with using phones/iPads with the USB DAC mode. It is easier with Android or iPad devices with USB-C as Apple limits the input/output via lightning connection. Some Andeoid phones will require a OTG cable, others won't. We've also found a lot of times when a iOS update is released, if it worked before, it will stop working.

With Lightning connection, people have had success using the Apple Camera Connection Kit or a Lightning to USB dongle such as the ddHifi TC35i adapter.

The easiest thing to do and best supported across all mobile devices is using the Bluetooth Sink function where the SP3000 is in Bluetooth DAC mode. Please note, max playback resolution over Bluetooth will be 24/96 depending on the Bluetooth codec.

Thank you @JasonNYC, that matches my experience. For me, it works with my Intel bases iPad Pro 2020 but not with my iPhone, even with Apple CCK or ddHifi TC35i.

It would be great if you could turn charging off (or optionally on when connected to Windows / Mac) while using the SP3000 as USB DAC. Then there wouldn't be a problem using it with mobile devices. I guess this could be easily done through software option within the dialog when you with the SP3000 to USB DAC mode.

 

[subguy812]

Thanks a lot for the quick reply! Tested it and it works

I figured it was all about the panel used and whether the processing speed would allow it to function properly. However, anytime a company says anything about voiding warranty, even if the warranty repair issue is not caused by whatever triggered the warning, somehow with my luck it get tied to that and the warranty is void.

 

[Memorexx168]

Hi...so I have a "slight" problem with my SP3000.
When I use Tidal and I open all my Albums, it takes forever for the SP3000 to load the album cover art. If I scroll through my Albums, it lags and it still displays the old album cover arts and then it takes a couple of seconds until it refreshes and loads the correct ones.
Anyone of you have the same behaviour?