[coldbru]

Hi there. I have the iBasso DX320, driving DCA Stealth. I’m looking for a less-tweaky / buggy experience so A&K’s walled-garden approach to Android is attractive. I only need Qobuz, Roon Ready, and local file playback.

Does the SP3k drive the DCA Stealth well? With the standard or an upgraded amp card? I listen to a lot of classical so I need a lot of gain (for quiet passages) as well as a lot of power (for loud orchestral / choral climaxes, etc). As a point of reference I am often at the very top of the volume range in high gain on the DX320 with the standard amp card (Amp11).

Thanks!

 

[Nomax]

@coldbru

The Sp3000 does not drive the Stealth satisfactorily

NOMAX

PS.lol

 

[CharlyBrown]

I don't know how the SP3000 works with the DCA Stealth but I can tell you that the SP3000 doesn't have an amp card*. I think that was the SE180 which does that?

*exchangeable amp card

 

[GiullianSN]

Hi there. I have the iBasso DX320, driving DCA Stealth. I’m looking for a less-tweaky / buggy experience so A&K’s walled-garden approach to Android is attractive. I only need Qobuz, Roon Ready, and local file playback.

Does the SP3k drive the DCA Stealth well? With the standard or an upgraded amp card? I listen to a lot of classical so I need a lot of gain (for quiet passages) as well as a lot of power (for loud orchestral / choral climaxes, etc). As a point of reference I am often at the very top of the volume range in high gain on the DX320 with the standard amp card (Amp11).

Thanks!

I suggest what I have with my Atrium.

SP3000 + C9 + Atrium.

Adding a C9 you have a Swiss Army knife portable amp (A/AB, SS/Tube, Line In/Pre Amp, Low/High gain...) and the flexibility of adding/upgrading the DAC anytime without stress about enough power.
On the other hand you also have the AK external amp option that has similar Shape as other AK DAPs

https://www.astellnkern.com/product/product_detail.jsp?productNo=142

 

[krack2222]

+1 for the c9 added to the sp3000.
Even with iems the bass is magnified.

 

[krack2222]

And strangely enough, there is a gain setting on the line out.
That way I can listen at a lower level than the sp3000 when I add the c9.

 

[subguy812]

It should be S+ not A+

Please feel free to rate it how you wish...and I will do the same. A+ was the best you could get in school...not sure about an S+

 

[NYanakiev]

I suggest what I have with my Atrium.

SP3000 + C9 + Atrium.

Adding a C9 you have a Swiss Army knife portable amp (A/AB, SS/Tube, Line In/Pre Amp, Low/High gain...) and the flexibility of adding/upgrading the amp anytime without stress about enough power.
On the other hand you also have the AK external amp option that has similar Shape as other AK DAPs

https://www.astellnkern.com/product/product_detail.jsp?productNo=142

I, for one, am rather interested in the A&K amp. Look forward to seeing some reviews before buying.

 

[coldbru]

Thanks for all the replies. The C9 is indeed interesting.

Assuming I’m looking for a maximally simple one-piece DAP for the Stealth, what do people recommend? Is there anything else from A&K or Cayin?

 

[subguy812]

I, for one, am rather interested in the A&K amp. Look forward to seeing some reviews before buying.

That makes two of us

 

[GiullianSN]

Thanks for all the replies. The C9 is indeed interesting.

Assuming I’m looking for a maximally simple one-piece DAP for the Stealth, what do people recommend? Is there anything else from A&K or Cayin?

In this case, DX300TI Max would be the option I’m aware off.

Well, AK also have the Transportable Desktop DAP Acro CA100T. I Don’t even know how to describe that thing lol. Even AK doesn’t have a proper product category for it. It’s under home Audio Amp.

https://www.astellnkern.com/product/product_detail.jsp?productNo=141

 

[Mentanalyste]

Same for me. Much longer boot time (1tb extreme)

Exactly the same thing to me. My SP3000 reboots several times during the day and I have a 1TB card.

I still love it but it's getting complicated.

 

[Deferenz]

How do I format an SD card on the SP3K? I’ve searched through the functions on the DAP and I can’t find it.

 

[CharlyBrown]

How do I format an SD card on the SP3K? I’ve searched through the functions on the DAP and I can’t find it.

Settings > System Information > Erase SD Card

 

[CharlyBrown]

What does DAR actually do? Why will music sound better with this enabled?