Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000

[Luke Skywalker]

Actually, what DAC filter are you guys using? I just left it on the one it was set on when I turned it on.

 

[theveterans]

Actually, what DAC filter are you guys using? I just left it on the one it was set on when I turned it on.

With DAR, you're bypassing the default filters anyways. The one that's most impactful (hard note edges) is "fast roll-off" and the default short delay fast roll-off has typically a more up-front staging than "fast roll-off". Super slow roll-off is the smoothest and is meant for peaky IEM treble. "slow roll-off" is a softer sounding version of fast roll-off with imaging closer to super slow roll-off. Short delay slow roll-off has the same soft note edges but with collapse soundstage that's worse than super slow roll-off and other DAC filters.

None of the above matters with DAR turned on though

 

[Luke Skywalker]

With DAR, you're bypassing the default filters anyways. The one that's most impactful (hard note edges) is "fast roll-off" and the default short delay fast roll-off has typically a more up-front staging than "fast roll-off". Super slow roll-off is the smoothest and is meant for peaky IEM treble. "slow roll-off" is a softer sounding version of fast roll-off with imaging closer to super slow roll-off. Short delay slow roll-off has the same soft note edges but with collapse soundstage that's worse than super slow roll-off and other DAC filters.

None of the above matters with DAR turned on though

This is the best description of these filters I’ve ever seen. I’ve been trying to find information on this for years.

I almost typed, “which one is the best?” But then I realized that if one “is the best” then there’d only be one filter. I’m guessing it comes down to personal preference or perhaps what kind of music you’re listening to.

I’ve been keeping DAR on all the time since I turned this thing on. Is there an advantage to turning it off and adjusting the filters?

I honestly feel like I can hear a slight difference when I change from one to another, even with DAR on. But that could be my imagination

 

[crazyhank]

Hi all - I'm not finding an option to add additional keyboards,. My sp2000 does it no issues, but sp3000 just says AKiME is the only keyboard option, could you guys double check please?

@JasonNYC - FYI. Appreciate your input here. Thank you!

 

[parnass]

hi - is there any output level comparison between sp3000 and Cayin N8ii

 

[Nails]

All AK player going back x amount of years, have lousy eq settings, I remember the sp1000 had a eq setting for the JHAudio Layla, and it too had a lean towards quieter frequencies. The parametric eq is not why you would ever buy an AK player imho it’s the one feature set I’ve never grown to like on any iteration dap from AK.

The default sound sig is were its at, even the dac filters are almost impossible to distinguish one from another.

I’m old fashioned and the EQs I had as a teenager amplified or reduced the various frequencies, it seems to me the AK EQ only reduces and doesn’t increase anything, maybe I’m missing something but it doesn’t seem useful and really isn’t needed either imho..

This is the best description of these filters I’ve ever seen. I’ve been trying to find information on this for years.

I almost typed, “which one is the best?” But then I realized that if one “is the best” then there’d only be one filter. I’m guessing it comes down to personal preference or perhaps what kind of music you’re listening to.

I’ve been keeping DAR on all the time since I turned this thing on. Is there an advantage to turning it off and adjusting the filters?

I honestly feel like I can hear a slight difference when I change from one to another, even with DAR on. But that could be my imagination

I agree good info.
Ive only been using DAT on CD quality recordings, I think the hi res stuff sounds better without it

 

[Dionysus]

I’ll have my replacement unit arriving today. So, I’m very much looking forward to getting a working unit and really being able to give some feedback over the long holiday weekend.

 

[Progisus]

I’m old fashioned and the EQs I had as a teenager amplified or reduced the various frequencies, it seems to me the AK EQ only reduces and doesn’t increase anything, maybe I’m missing something but it doesn’t seem useful and really isn’t needed either imho..

The AK eq first lowers all the freqs. You then raise or lower freqs as you require. This prevents overdrive. It works quite well but overall level is reduced approx 6db. The normal eq is a reference level -6db so that your settings can be quickly compared.

 

[NYanakiev]

The SP3K is just excellent, sounds great and have zero issues with it.

The only item on my wishlist is for A&K to work with Roon on making ARC go around down sampling everything to 44.1 kHz.

 

[Burakk]

The SP3K is just excellent, sounds great and have zero issues with it.

The only item on my wishlist is for A&K to work with Roon on making ARC go around down sampling everything to 44.1 kHz.

I fully agree with this. It's almost flawless, a real flagship and high-end!

 

[Progisus]

The SP3K is just excellent, sounds great and have zero issues with it.

The only item on my wishlist is for A&K to work with Roon on making ARC go around down sampling everything to 44.1 kHz.

Out babysitting grandkids last night with SP3K and ARC. Worked great except for that annoying resample. Let’s hope Roon addresses this.

 

[crazyhank]

Hi, could I ask someone to please check setting if it lets you install another keyboard besides English ? Thank you!

 

[NYanakiev]

Out babysitting grandkids last night with SP3K and ARC. Worked great except for that annoying resample. Let’s hope Roon addresses this.

Indeed. The ARC app is quite good, you can actually browse stuff on it...the big screen of the sp3k is finally put to some good use through it vs the stock Roon app.

 

[damascato]

The issue of album lists (when ordering by artist) forcingly expanded is still there. Annoying.

 

[Luke Skywalker]

Out babysitting grandkids last night with SP3K and ARC. Worked great except for that annoying resample. Let’s hope Roon addresses this.

Is there another way to stream music from a network drive in the meantime and maintain full quality? I was using neutron on my iBasso DX320 but I don’t want to load any apps that aren’t on AK’s approved list

This device is magnificent