Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000

[cheznous]

I wanted to test this on my newly arrived SP3000 but I couldn't identify a way to start a manual scan.

Btw I received a black SP3000 rather than the silver one. Since it looks great I will not bother with the hassle of getting it exchanged from my vendor.

Edit: Am I right in the assumption that there is already a plastic protector pre-applied for the screen and backside? That's at least how it feels.

You cannot manual scan until sd card scanned but then find it under system reset. Initialize media scan.

 

[cheznous]

I don’t tend to switch it on or off much and so it’s not a deal breaker for me. For me it’s just about the music and what SP3K can do with that music. That’s why I was happy to pay the price for this flagship Dap.

I agree with you. It is more a puzzle as to why it takes so long. It is certainly more an Amstrad rather than a MAC in booting up.
I love to listen to it and think it was worth the upgrade and would recommend it to SP2000 owners as long as it is affordable to folks.

 

[hAbIrAbI]

You cannot manual scan until sd card scanned but then find it under system reset. Initialize media scan.

That seems like an odd place to put it. As a less electronics literate user I'd probably have some qualms about going into a menu item called system reset.

 

[hotjava13]

Whoo hoo, just received a tracking number from Bloom audio. SP3000 Should be in my hands on or before the 17th..

 

[cheznous]

It will be good when our friends in the States get their SP3000. Will hopefully see a lot more reviews and opinions.

 

[Utah dude]

Whoo hoo, just received a tracking number from Bloom audio. SP3000 Should be in my hands on or before the 17th..

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I just checked with Bloom Audio since I have an SP3000 on order as well. While they are preparing orders, per strict Astell & Kern release policy, they are not allowed to release them before Monday. I had my hopes up for a moment.

 

[vicens bosch]

hello, good afternoon, the finish of the sp 3000 in black as it is, it seems to have a shiny finish, is the sp 3000 brushed steel?

 

[hotjava13]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I just checked with Bloom Audio since I have an SP3000 on order as well. While they are preparing orders, per strict Astell & Kern release policy, they are not allowed to release them before Monday. I had my hopes up for a moment.

I got an email from Bloom shortly after receiving the ups notification “Although you may have received a shipping notification for your SP3000 preorder, please note that these will not be shipped out until Monday (October 17th), per Astell&Kern’s release date instructions. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused”

Boo!

 

[Progisus]

Going to be a long weekend in North America.

 

[Frabera]

I am very hot to buy this new expensive toy, I will use it only with a closed back headphone, can anyone mentioned a complete list of closed back cans which may be suitable for this SP3K, Nomax if you can supply a ALL list it will be very useful, I am using now a ZMF VC - R7 JM OCD Extreme Stealth - JM Edition R10 Evolution OCD Stealth Extreme - these are HifiMan modded cans by John Massari, they sound absolutely great with low impedance, I am worrying about the VC...

 

[Deferenz]

I’ve been letting this run for a good few days now and so today was actually the first day I’ve properly listened to SP3000. I used my Phonix with stock 2.5mm cable. I didn’t have a huge amount of time today due to work commitments, but I did manage to get in a David Gilmour Live album on Tidal MQA.

Some of the tracks were stunning in their presentation. The depth and layering really stood out for me and there’s a lot of detail that I could pick out.

The general sound of the Dap feels smooth with a hint of warmth. I’m not sure yet whether this is because Phonix is a warm IEM or not, but at the moment I’m finding the SP3K a really musical listen and I think I’m going to really enjoy hearing what it can do to the music.

 

[subguy812]

I’ve been letting this run for a good few days now and so today was actually the first day I’ve properly listened to SP3000. I used my Phonix with stock 2.5mm cable. I didn’t have a huge amount of time today due to work commitments, but I did manage to get in a David Gilmour Live album on Tidal MQA.

Some of the tracks were stunning in their presentation. The depth and layering really stood out for me and there’s a lot of detail that I could pick out.

The general sound of the Dap feels smooth with a hint of warmth. I’m not sure yet whether this is because Phonix is a warm IEM or not, but at the moment I’m finding the SP3K a really musical listen and I think I’m going to really enjoy hearing what it can do to the music.

That is the totl AK house sound you are describing. The SP2K had a similar signature. Another headfier I trust told me the SP3K has a blacker background than even the SP2K, which was already stellar. I am looking forward to the US release.

 

[theveterans]

That is the totl AK house sound you are describing. The SP2K had a similar signature. Another headfier I trust told me the SP3K has a blacker background than even the SP2K, which was already stellar. I am looking forward to the US release.

The soundstage and black background with SP3K is definitely improved over the SP2K. Tonality has been noted to be similar and unmistakably AK TOTL. This is evident with my demo of the AK Odyssey from CanJam. The only reason I didn't upgrade is due to 256 GB internal storage (a dealbreaker to me since I really dislike having to rely on finnicky microsd card). An extra 200 USD for 512 GB (similar to iPhone 256 to 512 GB NVME upgrade price) IMO is justifiable for those who still rely on offline FLACs

 

[Tomz1313]

hello, good afternoon, the finish of the sp 3000 in black as it is, it seems to have a shiny finish, is the sp 3000 brushed steel?

No..polished steel and even more shiny than the black one....but beautiful looking IMO

 

[KKNAYANA]

An interview video with the developers of SP3000 was posted a few hours ago.