Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000

[kimberlywn12]

Speaking again of sp3k ,
and last fw update (1.42 )

I know it may be weird to read..but I find sound changes slightly when I switch to VU meter..

Just me ?

Bass gets more thick , sound signature feels richer and slightly bit more on the organic side

Or ..are my ears deceiving me ehen eyes see the new VU interface.. ?

Also, sp3k reaches its performance design/character only after 30m+ play ..bit annoying if I can say , to wait this time before listening. Before the 30m it feels a much more normal player or tilted towards analytical ..after heat-up time it definitely gets some sauce

have you tried comparing the sound with and without the VU meter over longer listening sessions?

 

[kimberlywn12]

It is more about cable-chain synergy then cable 'quality'.. you will hear quality but you would/will understand and like to spend ( more ) for a right cable synergy .

I agree that synergy is key, but how do you typically go about finding the right cable-chain synergy? Do you have a specific process for testing or figuring out which cables work best with your setup? Would love to hear your approach!

 

[boodi]

have you tried comparing the sound with and without the VU meter over longer listening sessions?

Not still , just first day impressions ( and it might be just wrong impressions ), will try to do that along next week

I agree that synergy is key, but how do you typically go about finding the right cable-chain synergy? Do you have a specific process for testing or figuring out which cables work best with your setup? Would love to hear your approach!

I try to guess and gather around infos before buying and trying.

I.e. in the chain M9+ > 64Audio silver shielded > xe6 ciem , bass drive ( impact textures nd and resolution ) were amazingly well exectued, i need say even better then on desk rigs , but ..there was somewhat missing details stage and air ; this with original cable and Code23 cable , along others.
So after asking around and researching I found 64Audio silver shielded cable at a decent price , and it works indid , for details air and stage.. Good synergy. Obviously it holds some compromises and doesn't give the ultimate sound/performance, but it's overall much better then code23 in this chain ..and considering I didn't pay much more then code23 for it , it was a pretty decent found .

On sp3k the same cable doesn't work a same 'magic' , in fact sp3k has a quite different signature then M9+ : it doesn't hold back on details , it doesn't recess midrange or makes me feel lack for air ; m9+ is elegantly warmer and bad-bassy and in sp3k I miss some of its bass drive : textures , tightening and impact i.e.
Having heard what Code23 and Orpheus ( which are both all-copper but carrying different tech and build and price ) ,
I think a refined copper cable might work well here .. and so I am akin to research and choose in this segment .

 

[boodi]

So , we made this fast game yesterday night me and my wife , I left sp3k heat up 30m play, and then had her switching between VUmeter and Equalizer 10 times on me blind ; I guessed what was what 8 times out of 10 ; not singificant of course can be a just case , in fact I expect it to be 10/10

We had fun nevertheless.

But.but.

It's no secret that Sony 1zm2 changes sound signature on language selection : it is a well known among users ..

possibly sp3k too as someone said it sounds clearer when Korean selected ( not tried still though )

So ready to anything

I will try to blind test consistently along the week

 

[kimberlywn12]

So , we made this fast game yesterday night me and my wife , I left sp3k heat up 30m play, and then had her switching between VUmeter and Equalizer 10 times on me blind ; I guessed what was what 8 times out of 10 ; not singificant of course can be a just case , in fact I expect it to be 10/10

We had fun nevertheless.

But.but.

It's no secret that Sony 1zm2 changes sound signature on language selection : it is a well known among users ..

possibly sp3k too as someone said it sounds clearer when Korean selected ( not tried still though )

So ready to anything

I will try to blind test consistently along the week

good job man, keep us up to date, would love to know the blind test results also

 

[bussola]

Contrary to what AK says, sound changes with firmware updates, switching time zone, switching language, and commuting gapless playback. I doubt VU meter can change sound otherwise you’d have to keep the screen on at all times which does not make a lot of sense

 

[boodi]

First day today with a 6w high purity all copper balanced cable :

between sp3k and xe6 ciem.

It's cheap / aliexpress . It's all copper , my bet for sp3k .

Didn't expect much but even without burning in , the difference and result is well beyond expectations. Impact , bass drive stage and musicality in the chain improved ,noticeably .

The 990$ all-silver shielded made the chain sound shrill and ultra detailed , beyond the point of fun for my listening habits

Talk about synergy
Anyhow besides prices talks , it seems a cable swap can do more then you 'd expect in hjgh end gears or iem.

I was using a decent silver plated copper before , i've been using this cable for a year or so to test it against other cables and I know it well ; along the year , I've grown not a fan of silver-plated copper , kinda prefer all copper or all silver nowadays , high refined copper if I had to choose one

I will let it burn

 

[Samuel777]

We made a blind test yesterday tonight ! 2 sp3000 silver, 2 regular empire Odin, sound quality does changed without leather, with Ak stock leather case. The same using dignis leather case and without.

 

[bussola]

Speaking again of sp3k ,
and last fw update (1.42 )

I know it may be weird to read..but I find sound changes slightly when I switch to VU meter..

Just me ?

Bass gets more thick , sound signature feels richer and slightly bit more on the organic side

Or ..are my ears deceiving me when eyes see the new VU interface.. ?

Also, sp3k reaches its performance design/character only after 30m+ play ..bit annoying if I can say , to wait this time before listening. Before the 30m it feels a much more normal player or tilted towards analytical ..after heat-up time it definitely gets some sauce

I tested the Vu meter thing and I have to agree with you, you also described it perfectly. Wow!

 

[jricey]

Loved my Stellia with Sp3000 (4.4mm) since day one. I think I'm ready to go open back hp now.
For those who have the Utopia, are you happy with the Sp3000?

I really like the sp3000 with Utopia and Stellia. Great detail, balance and clarity. I also sometimes pair it with the PA10 which I think adds just a little warmth and depth(?). Great either way.

 

[Rbnvnm]

Hi guys, I think the question has already been asked on this thread but I can't find the answer. Do you know which version of the sp3000 is the least fragile to the wear and tear of time?

 

[PuPS]

Do you know which version of the sp3000 is the least fragile to the wear and tear of time?

I think any one that is always in a case and is simply used carefully.

 

[BlueThunder]

Hi,

Has anyone had a decent length of prolonged use with the silver/black and copper players and able to suggest the audible (if any) differences?

I’ve listened to the 3000 silver and 3000T silver so know them quite well. Just wondering how throwing copper into the mix would affect sound.

Cheers!

 

[kel77]

And there will be a smaller SP3000 soon.

 

[energie]

M means small?