Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000

[nfandi]

Hi there,
First off, I didn’t know about the search function within the thread, so thank you for the tip! I’ll definitely make use of it next time, before the question .
Edit: I understand the Utopia is quite selective about its source. When I say, “a perfect match,” I mean if the technical performance of the SP3000 would align exceptionally well with the Utopia. This could include (meaning without providing an exhaustive list) aspects like power output, clarity, and the ability to drive the Utopia to its full potential without distortion.
Edit 2: You’re absolutely richt. Determining a “perfect match” is subjective and depends on individual preferences. As mentioned above, it was related to the technical synergy between the SP3000 and Utopia.

Ok thanks for the response. I’ve seen that some prefer the Utopia with a tube amp to get the very best out of it. At home I use a Raal 1995 Immanis and Feliks Envy and the Utopia doesn’t get a look in (mine’s a Utopia 2022). However when I travel I always use the Utopia with my SP3000 and I’m very happy with the sound it makes. Volume in the evenings is usually between 80-90 out of 150 and so for me there’s still plenty of power not used and there’s no audible hiss or distortion. It’s a very clean/clear sound to my ears though the weakness of the Utopia is its lack of an open soundstage. When I first auditioned the Utopia I also tried the Meze Elite and the Abyss Diana TC. The Elite worked quite well directly from the SP3000 but the Diana TC needed the addition of the PA10 amp to drive it reasonably well. I thought the sounds of some of the instruments were better off both the Elite and the Diana TC but both left me quite unmoved. Within a few seconds of switching to the Utopia I knew this was the one for me because my head started to nod in time with the music and then my feet. Some people refer to it as PRaT and for me the Dynamic Driver of the Utopia certainly connected to ME in a stronger way. I usually use the Utopia directly with the SP3000 for classical, jazz, world music etc but I often add the PA10 when I listen to classic rock from the 70’s. The PA10 adds some weight and body to these recordings that adds some enjoyment for me. As mentioned above the SP3000/Utopia combination was the preferred set-up of NOMAX and this should indicate to you that they are a good combination. I haven’t heard them, but if I was buying something now to go with the SP3000 I would definitely audition the AA Composer and Erzetich Charybdis as well as the Utopia.

 

[Samuel777]

Del

 

[John5]

If you search for @Nomax 's posts in this thread you will see at least one user who is happy with the combination. Personally I would recommend a balanced cable. I also prefer pairing the SP3K with a portable amp (Aroma A100TB) when using the Utopia but I think this is not strictly necessary.

I will definitely look through Nomax posts. Your recommendation is has been noted and I’ve included the balanced cable. Whether I will order a portable amp is a subject for later, first want to experience this combination.

 

[John5]

Ok thanks for the response. I’ve seen that some prefer the Utopia with a tube amp to get the very best out of it. At home I use a Raal 1995 Immanis and Feliks Envy and the Utopia doesn’t get a look in (mine’s a Utopia 2022). However when I travel I always use the Utopia with my SP3000 and I’m very happy with the sound it makes. Volume in the evenings is usually between 80-90 out of 150 and so for me there’s still plenty of power not used and there’s no audible hiss or distortion. It’s a very clean/clear sound to my ears though the weakness of the Utopia is its lack of an open soundstage. When I first auditioned the Utopia I also tried the Meze Elite and the Abyss Diana TC. The Elite worked quite well directly from the SP3000 but the Diana TC needed the addition of the PA10 amp to drive it reasonably well. I thought the sounds of some of the instruments were better off both the Elite and the Diana TC but both left me quite unmoved. Within a few seconds of switching to the Utopia I knew this was the one for me because my head started to nod in time with the music and then my feet. Some people refer to it as PRaT and for me the Dynamic Driver of the Utopia certainly connected to ME in a stronger way. I usually use the Utopia directly with the SP3000 for classical, jazz, world music etc but I often add the PA10 when I listen to classic rock from the 70’s. The PA10 adds some weight and body to these recordings that adds some enjoyment for me. As mentioned above the SP3000/Utopia combination was the preferred set-up of NOMAX and this should indicate to you that they are a good combination. I haven’t heard them, but if I was buying something now to go with the SP3000 I would definitely audition the AA Composer and Erzetich Charybdis as well as the Utopia.

Naturally, I respond! Otherwise, I wouldn’t asked the question in the first place. I’ve read that tube amps are often recommended, which is partly why I asked. If I buy the Utopia 2020, will I need also a tube amp like the Cayin C9ii to get decent music out of it, or is the SP3000 sufficient? I listened to the Utopia a few years ago and had a similar reactions to yours When I first heard it. Although I found it quite expensive, I eventually bought it second-hand and received it yesterday (as I see this now as good value for money) and connected it with the SP3000, I’m also very happy with the sound it makes. Thanks for sharing your experience; much appreciated.

 

[nfandi]

Naturally, I respond! Otherwise, I wouldn’t asked the question in the first place. I’ve read that tube amps are often recommended, which is partly why I asked. If I buy the Utopia 2020, will I need also a tube amp like the Cayin C9ii to get decent music out of it, or is the SP3000 sufficient? I listened to the Utopia a few years ago and had a similar reactions to yours When I first heard it. Although I found it quite expensive, I eventually bought it second-hand and received it yesterday (as I see this now as good value for money) and connected it with the SP3000, I’m also very happy with the sound it makes. Thanks for sharing your experience; much appreciated.

Glad it’s working out well so far. I’ve not heard the Utopia driven by a tube amp other than my Feliks Envy and that’s not exactly working well because of the rather hot output from the Holo May. There’s barely any volume on the Envy before it becomes too loud, so I just don’t bother with the Utopia at home. I’d need to invest in a passive attenuator between the May and the Envy but this would be a waste as the Immanis is much the better headphone. I don’t think you have an immediate need to go out and invest in a tube amp but once you’re used to the combination you might feel you want a little more from your music and that would be the time to investigate a tube amp or one of the several good portable amps that are on the market.

 

[UTVOL06]

I've never heard the Focal Utopia. What kind of sound signature does it have? I've had an Audeze LCD-4z open back headphones that had a reference type signature. probably more of a flat EQ im guessing. I traded it and the LCD-X in for store credit at bloom audio along with the LCD-4z. I didn't care for the Audeze's flat EQ sound and it was a blind buy. Someone was saying the Noble Audio Viking Ragnar IEMs had some things in common with the Utopia?

 

[jricey]

Naturally, I respond! Otherwise, I wouldn’t asked the question in the first place. I’ve read that tube amps are often recommended, which is partly why I asked. If I buy the Utopia 2020, will I need also a tube amp like the Cayin C9ii to get decent music out of it, or is the SP3000 sufficient? I listened to the Utopia a few years ago and had a similar reactions to yours When I first heard it. Although I found it quite expensive, I eventually bought it second-hand and received it yesterday (as I see this now as good value for money) and connected it with the SP3000, I’m also very happy with the sound it makes. Thanks for sharing your experience; much appreciated.

I have used daps with nutube and have come around to preferring the ss sound of the sp3000. It’s more accurate. To warm the sound just slightly I sometimes pair it with the A&K PA10 portable amp. Best of all worlds.

 

[John5]

Glad it’s working out well so far. I’ve not heard the Utopia driven by a tube amp other than my Feliks Envy and that’s not exactly working well because of the rather hot output from the Holo May. There’s barely any volume on the Envy before it becomes too loud, so I just don’t bother with the Utopia at home. I’d need to invest in a passive attenuator between the May and the Envy but this would be a waste as the Immanis is much the better headphone. I don’t think you have an immediate need to go out and invest in a tube amp but once you’re used to the combination you might feel you want a little more from your music and that would be the time to investigate a tube amp or one of the several good portable amps that are on the market.

I certainly don't need a tube amp at this moment, the SP3000 works great with the Utopia and for my hearing I have found a …. match.

 

[boodi]

I have used daps with nutube and have come around to preferring the ss sound of the sp3000. It’s more accurate

Second that ..

Any chance to use an external equalizer / III parties equalizer / App , on sp3000 ?

Is someone using Roon Arc to stream his own library ? In this case Roon DSP/Muse/EQ and Filters are applied before streaming to sp3000 ?

Thanks a lot for any answer , much appreciated

I am using sp3000 with streaming from Qobuz mainly at moment

 

[nfandi]

Second that ..

Any chance to use an external equalizer / III parties equalizer / App , on sp3000 ?

Is someone using Roon Arc to stream his own library ? In this case Roon DSP/Muse/EQ and Filters are applied before streaming to sp3000 ?

Thanks a lot for any answer , much appreciated

I am using sp3000 with streaming from Qobuz mainly at moment

I can’t answer your actual question but I do use Roon/Qobuz at home and have tried my SP3000 as a Roon end-point. In this scenario the features of Roon work perfectly, including the use of convolution filters and EQ prior to listening to the streamed content. I have set up Roon Arc and tested the connection at home, which works, but I’ve never tried it while travelling. The 1Tb SD card contains enough of my local library for my otg needs and I’ve filled the internal memory of the SP3000 with c. 260 downloaded albums from Qobuz for off-line listening. While I’m away I scan Quobuz regularly for any new music I want to download and I replace some of the older stuff I haven’t been listening to. For my particular use case I think whilst Arc is a technical achievement I don’t see myself ever needing to use it.

 

[boodi]

Much appreciated.

I def need Roon EQ/DSP features, or at least test it .

I will report
Thanks again

 

[John5]

I've never heard the Focal Utopia. What kind of sound signature does it have? I've had an Audeze LCD-4z open back headphones that had a reference type signature. probably more of a flat EQ im guessing. I traded it and the LCD-X in for store credit at bloom audio along with the LCD-4z. I didn't care for the Audeze's flat EQ sound and it was a blind buy. Someone was saying the Noble Audio Viking Ragnar IEMs had some things in common with the Utopia?

I can't give an answer here I don't know the Nobel Audio Viking Ragnar IEM there is also a Utopia thread. I think they can give you an answer. As I also indicated in the email I never do a blind buy, I listen first, the best advice I have ever had when it comes to (TOTL) IEMs and headphones

 

[boodi]

Per my previous post last week, this option will be added in the next firmware update expected mid-September.

@JasonNYC ,
any plan to add some DB or points on the EQ set/levels ?

Any Dap I have had has at least 10 db level points up and down on the internal equalizer ( if not more ); why limit it to +/- 5 here ?

 

[coresagest]

My verdict after 6 days use of sp3000 Platinum + Odin : awesome

Is it a special edition or did A&K change in general to a wooden box?

 

[nfandi]

Is it a special edition or did A&K change in general to a wooden box?

It’s a special edition in that the 904L steel is Platinum plated. So you have the Platinum aesthetic but the same sound as the standard steel model……unless….