Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000

[damascato]

At this point I believe there was no update being tested really, the truth is the office and factory have been shut down and it’s only the A&K guy posting here trying to make it look like they still exist. They will probably postpone the canjam appearance too

And the Pope is still alive.

 

[nfandi]

And the Pope is still alive.

Yes he came round for an aperitif this evening.

 

[Dionysus]

I honestly enjoy humour but I’ve never detected any in your posts except of course for all the BS when you say every update sounds different…

This was indeed funny.

 

[Tanalasta]

Why can't Astell and Kern get the tuning ... with the regular editions and it has to be the "gold" limited release version that has it magical. Remember those SP2000 copper vibes? That magical timbre with the "x" factor? A subtle warmth and richness to the notes without any unpleasant troughs/peaks. The copper SP3000 seems unbalanced in tuning in comparison.

The differences are subtle. Not dissimilar to a cable roll. But if you can hear it, you can hear it.

I'm going to call it. The Gold edition is my preferred edition of the SP3000. With the SP4000 rumoured to be coming in the next. 6-12 months time will tell how the sound evolves.

Only because colour matching is a thing... Ice Labs Spectrumica, Eletech Sonnet of Adam with the SP3000 gold.

 

[taryaulx]

I haven't seen the release time of the firmware yet. Is it really on paper?

 

[Dionysus]

Why can't Astell and Kern get the tuning ... with the regular editions and it has to be the "gold" limited release version that has it magical. Remember those SP2000 copper vibes? That magical timbre with the "x" factor? A subtle warmth and richness to the notes without any unpleasant troughs/peaks. The copper SP3000 seems unbalanced in tuning in comparison.

The differences are subtle. Not dissimilar to a cable roll. But if you can hear it, you can hear it.

I'm going to call it. The Gold edition is my preferred edition of the SP3000. With the SP4000 rumoured to be coming in the next. 6-12 months time will tell how the sound evolves.




Only because colour matching is a thing... Ice Labs Spectrumica, Eletech Sonnet of Adam with the SP3000 gold.

SP3000 is such a gorgeous looking player in all iterations.

 

[MRT-Man]

Why can't Astell and Kern get the tuning ... with the regular editions and it has to be the "gold" limited release version that has it magical. Remember those SP2000 copper vibes? That magical timbre with the "x" factor? A subtle warmth and richness to the notes without any unpleasant troughs/peaks. The copper SP3000 seems unbalanced in tuning in comparison.

The differences are subtle. Not dissimilar to a cable roll. But if you can hear it, you can hear it.

I'm going to call it. The Gold edition is my preferred edition of the SP3000. With the SP4000 rumoured to be coming in the next. 6-12 months time will tell how the sound evolves.




Only because colour matching is a thing... Ice Labs Spectrumica, Eletech Sonnet of Adam with the SP3000 gold.

I agree with all of the above. I also picked one up recently. It’s such a difference and improvement that I have a hard time believing it’s just the outside material that changes among the SP3k variants. I’m convinced there must be some difference in the software as well, if not the internals.

The sonic performance of the SP3K gold approaches the P6P 10AE silver, which I also own. Not on par, but surprisingly close, and with a similar tuning (although bass is a little more elevated with the P6P).

 

[nfandi]

I agree with all of the above. I also picked one up recently. It’s such a difference and improvement that I have a hard time believing it’s just the outside material that changes among the SP3k variants. I’m convinced there must be some difference in the software as well, if not the internals.

The sonic performance of the SP3K gold approaches the P6P 10AE silver, which I also own. Not on par, but surprisingly close, and with a similar tuning (although bass is a little more elevated with the P6P).

The metal casing of the SP3000 is used in the circuit for grounding. Whilst the impact is not huge it does have an impact on the sound.

 

[denis1976]

Sp3000 is not ss ss and boommm, just the absence of noise that is comun in all versions is the key...and is in how the human brain interprets that lack of noise and absolut silence that is the magic, the rest is peanuts, but is only my opinion

 

[MRT-Man]

The metal casing of the SP3000 is used in the circuit for grounding. Whilst the impact is not huge it does have an impact on the sound.

I'm aware that it's used for grounding. But just saying that I wonder whether A&K has also made hidden software changes across the variants. Because the difference and improvement in sound with the SP3K gold, relative to the other variants I've tried, is such that I'm a little skeptical that it's just the grounding material making that difference. Maybe some would call it subtle, but to my ears it's quite noticeable and quite an improvement. Ultimately, better body and note weight to the sound and a touch more warmth, without making it overly warm.

Of course I'm now dying to know what the SP3K platinum sounds like.

 

[Fafner]

I haven't seen the release time of the firmware yet. Is it really on paper?

Frankly, this firmware thing is becoming ridicolous. Last excuse was they were updating their servers. I don't think A&K hosts Gemini-like material, does it take weeks to perform such a migration? This continuous delaying is getting annoying.

 

[LWR999]

Frankly, this firmware thing is becoming ridicolous. Last excuse was they were updating their servers. I don't think A&K hosts Gemini-like material, does it take weeks to perform such a migration? This continuous delaying is getting annoying.

What is "Gemini-like material" please?

My SP3000Cu sounded amazing earlier today... no rush for a firmware upgrade here. @Fafner what issues do you need fixing?

 

[MRT-Man]

What is "Gemini-like material" please?

My SP3000Cu sounded amazing earlier today... no rush for a firmware upgrade here. @Fafner what issues do you need fixing?

Outdated version of Apple Music is a key issue for me

 

[aaf evo]

Outdated version of Apple Music is a key issue for me

You can just side load the newer version.

 

[Dionysus]

Outdated version of Apple Music is a key issue for me

Yup just use the AKP

https://apkpure.com/apple-music/com.apple.android.music