Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000

[blackwolf1006]

How about the lack in bass

While I wouldn't categorize myself as a bass enthusiast, I do enjoy the deep bass response of the Sony IER-Z1R when I'm in the mood for it. In comparison, I find that the Sennheiser HD800S offers a more balanced overall sound. Headphones with a punchier bass, in my experience, tend to overshadow other elements of the audio spectrum. After recently listening to several tracks for comparison, I still believe the HD800S delivers superior overall sound quality

Songs;
Chris Botti - Lisa (Night sessions)
Adele - Love song (21)

 

[boodi]

I am sporting already xe6 for great bass texture and body of notes ( basshead and most definitely an hi end timbral attitude seeker ) favoring them vs 1zr, in the past I ditched he1000se and Susvara ( first for lack of timbral coherence second for lack of use on portable cfr pwer needs ) both had bass..wonder if hd800s ( 300ohm?) gets a *decent* bass from sp3k
Or a decent bass drive if needed

 

[boodi]

While I wouldn't categorize myself as a bass enthusiast, I do enjoy the deep bass response of the Sony IER-Z1R when I'm in the mood for it. In comparison, I find that the Sennheiser HD800S offers a more balanced overall sound. Headphones with a punchier bass, in my experience, tend to overshadow other elements of the audio spectrum. After recently listening to several tracks for comparison, I still believe the HD800S delivers superior overall sound quality

Could you test some bass with z1r first and hd800s then , and tell if bass & bass textures/staging/revbs still decent when comparing on sp3k , relatively to the songs ?

- Famous last words (James Blake)
- White Rabbit ( from 'The Matrix Resurrections' )
- Tomorrow Never Dies ( Sheryl Crow )
- Third ( Halina Rice )
- Skeleton Of Splendor ( Mastodon )

Any of them

 

[blackwolf1006]

Could you test some bass with z1r first and hd800s then , and tell if bass & bass textures/staging/revbs still decent when comparing on sp3k , relatively to the songs ?

- Famous last words (James Blake)
- White Rabbit ( from 'The Matrix Resurrections' )
- Tomorrow Never Dies ( Sheryl Crow )
- Third ( Halina Rice )
- Skeleton Of Splendor ( Mastodon )

Any of them

I'll also test it with the OG Utopia as well. Thanks for the recommendations.

 

[boodi]

Thanks to you for being aval

 

[Valiado69]

Report back..
2.5 vs 4.4 difference is 'quite' clear..still in the realm of audiophiles ears..

I find (very minor) improvement with VU meter on too..
might be placebo
If you wanna give it a try as well

Arrived today

I'm looking forward to trying it to hear the differences between the 2.5 mm balanced and the 4.4 mm output of the SP3K

 

[boodi]

I prefer 2.5mm out

 

[strayears]

Surely the adapter itself will make some difference? Strictly it would not be a like-for-like comparison, like switching cables

 

[boodi]

It's possible indid : i.e. depending on adapter ohm

But in my experience ( adapters) this difference was not noticeable..my ears , exp , ymmv etc..

 

[blackwolf1006]

I prefer 2.5mm out

I agree with this. The sound from the 2.5 port has a bit more power and it sound a little clearer.

 

[boodi]

I believe sp3000 /discontinued/ will retain high price count or even go up in price in classifieds when sales of it become rare

Its rather unquestionable that on transparency clarity detail balance air and stage (!) his performance as a still pocketable unit are of the highest level , possibly concurring with seriously priced standalone dacs too

finally had a chance to listen to sp3000m and it is inferior
sp3000t is not up there neither it skips on fine detail and leds clean

 

[boodi]

Sill that 30m runtime before having ultimate 'designed performance' bugs me , I'd wish to be able to switch it on open Qobuz and instantly play at top-stellar levels..at times my portable playtime doesn't even reach 30m

 

[strayears]

I was told by a store, when discussing refund vs replacement, that they can't get a replacement, implying that it is discontinued. Perhaps there'll be a new model soon

 

[maceto]

I was told by a store, when discussing refund vs replacement, that they can't get a replacement, implying that it is discontinued. Perhaps there'll be a new model soon

new DAC chips and 2.5 years between 2000 and 3000 series says another 6 months (my bet)

 

[nfandi]

new DAC chips and 2.5 years between 2000 and 3000 series says another 6 months (my bet)

Don’t forget there was the fire at the AKM chip factory and then Covid in 2019/2020 so we’re not dealing with a typical period of time here.
Edit: There was 3 years and 2 months between the publication of the SP2000 manual for download and the SP3000 manual.