Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000

[Dionysus]

I’ve never really got on with iems. I usually last perhaps an hour before they start to feel like torture devices.

I suppose I could try custom moulds but I’ve no idea how to arrange that here in NZ.

Years ago, I sold all my desktop gear for the SP1000 and move to portable high end gear. I have a set of 64 audio A18 with the 3000 and love the ability to get highfi sound portably and can take with me anywhere I go.

 

[HeavenlyD]

I’ve never really got on with iems. I usually last perhaps an hour before they start to feel like torture devices.

I suppose I could try custom moulds but I’ve no idea how to arrange that here in NZ.

I thought this would be me, I never thought they they would even sound remotely as good as my Utopias or they would be comfortable, however after changing the tips to Sednafit crystal’s and getting the right size for me, I just forget they are in after about 10 minutes…

 

[Dionysus]

I went to an audiologist and got my ear molds for the A18T and, custom are where it is at. If you plan to keep longterm the fit and comfort is best. I tried universals but constantly had to experiment with tips.

 

[Kiwimac]

I was able to get a 3 month old pair of Sennheiser ie900 at a great discount over new.

Not sure if they’d be end game iems but they’re pretty good at least according to reviews, so will make a good test bed for deciding whether iems will work for me or not.

If they ‘generally’ do, I’ll look at customs.

 

[Kiwimac]

The SP3000 arrived today. What a gorgeous thing in shiny copper!

Oddly, the battery was completely flat on arrival so I’ve not yet been able to experience it!

 

[Kiwimac]

Ok. Got it juiced up and running.

It’s taken half an hour to settle, seems to me.

Using Focal Clear Professional (original version not the Mg version) with stock cable.

Needs to hit 80+ on the volume to be interesting.

My reference is my Linn system, which consists of a Selekt Hub connected to an Exaktbox-I, driving Linn Majik 140’s on upgraded bases. Source is Roon via Roon Nucleus and Ferrum Hypsos.

For anyone not familiar with Linn Exakt, it is an entirely digital cross over where the Streamer feeds only digital signal into the Exaktbox. Linn Katalyst DACs and 8 separate amplifiers in the box drive one driver each in the 4 way speakers. There are no cross overs in the speakers. The signals are corrected in real time to overcome phase distortion.

So that’s what I’m comparing the sound to.

And… it’s amazingly close in character. It has perhaps better separation and is a little tighter in the bottom end. The imaging is better on the Linn. More three dimensional. The imaging on the Focals is a straight line between my ears, although the sense of space and separation around instruments is truly spectacular.

So far, based on an hour of listening, this device that cost 10% of my main system price does indeed allow me to take that performance on the road and around the house.

Of course, some of the characteristics (both good and less good) are down to the headphones. I’ve got Sennheiser ie900’s arriving soon and I’ll see what they are like in comparison.

 

[Kiwimac]

Updated thoughts.

1) It took far longer to charge than I expected. Over 5 hours using a QC 3 mains charger and the supplied cable.

2) The crown thing is…sort of annoying. It’s too easy to move and bump when handling the player. Otherwise nice. Needs a firmware lock I think.

3) When I removed the USB C cable once charging was done, the unit randomly rebooted.

4) It’s heavy in copper, which is denser than steel and it feels like it!

Sound wise, smooooooooth and detailed. If it was whisky, it would be a 60 year old single malt.

 

[HeavenlyD]

I’ve searched and can’t find much to go on, but what are people’s thoughts on pairing the SP3000 with the PA10?
It’s moving away from having a single transportable device, but if it improves the sound in any form that beneficial it may be worth looking into…
Any personal journeys with this pairing?

 

[nfandi]

Updated thoughts.

1) It took far longer to charge than I expected. Over 5 hours using a QC 3 mains charger and the supplied cable.

2) The crown thing is…sort of annoying. It’s too easy to move and bump when handling the player. Otherwise nice. Needs a firmware lock I think.

3) When I removed the USB C cable once charging was done, the unit randomly rebooted.

4) It’s heavy in copper, which is denser than steel and it feels like it!

Sound wise, smooooooooth and detailed. If it was whisky, it would be a 60 year old single malt.

Ok. Got it juiced up and running.

It’s taken half an hour to settle, seems to me.

Using Focal Clear Professional (original version not the Mg version) with stock cable.

Needs to hit 80+ on the volume to be interesting.

My reference is my Linn system, which consists of a Selekt Hub connected to an Exaktbox-I, driving Linn Majik 140’s on upgraded bases. Source is Roon via Roon Nucleus and Ferrum Hypsos.

For anyone not familiar with Linn Exakt, it is an entirely digital cross over where the Streamer feeds only digital signal into the Exaktbox. Linn Katalyst DACs and 8 separate amplifiers in the box drive one driver each in the 4 way speakers. There are no cross overs in the speakers. The signals are corrected in real time to overcome phase distortion.

So that’s what I’m comparing the sound to.

And… it’s amazingly close in character. It has perhaps better separation and is a little tighter in the bottom end. The imaging is better on the Linn. More three dimensional. The imaging on the Focals is a straight line between my ears, although the sense of space and separation around instruments is truly spectacular.

So far, based on an hour of listening, this device that cost 10% of my main system price does indeed allow me to take that performance on the road and around the house.

Of course, some of the characteristics (both good and less good) are down to the headphones. I’ve got Sennheiser ie900’s arriving soon and I’ll see what they are like in comparison.

Congratulations on getting the SP3K. I still have my SP2KCu but rarely use it since getting the SP3KSS black. When travelling lite I take the SP3K with Nutopia and CA Trifecta. The BOMbastic Trifecta is great for in-flight entertainment and the Nutopia/SP3K combination is about as good as it gets for when I’ve arrived at the destination. Per the user above I’ve settled on Sednafit Crystals with the Trifecta but also use Spinfit with no problems. When travelling less lite I also have the option of a ZMF VC and Caldera but rarely the VC now that I have the Trifecta. The Caldera sounds good, but not at its best, with the SP3K and so I also have the AK PA10. This does mean an extra box and cable but I like the extra weight sound wise that the PA10 adds when listening to classic 70’s rock. Relatively speaking the PA10 is not an expensive unit and does help if you have phones less efficient than Focals and ZMF’s. Your 5 hour charging time is at least 2 hours longer than I usually get. I’m using a Samsung Adaptive Fast Charger and it usually takes between 2 and 3 hours. Maybe a few charge cycles will improve it. Also my unit has rebooted a few times after charging but it hasn’t happened very often. Have a search earlier in the thread for other users who experienced this.

 

[texx2818]

Every time I consider selling this thing to get something cheaper, I take this out of the case and man...immediately happy.

 

[JasonNYC]

FYI, Apple Classical support will be added around February 21st for the SP3000, KANN Ultra, SP2000T, SE180, SR25 MK II, SR25.

Apple Classical support for the SE300, SR35, KANN Max, KANN Alpha, CA1000 and CA1000T will be added around February 27.

 

[nfandi]

I am contemplating getting one of these marvels rather than the more usual DAC/amp portable solution for the phone.

We will be spending a fair bit of time travelling in our motorhome this year and my wife tends to retire earlier than I do. That means that - since motorhomes are not especially soundproof - I cannot play music without headphones once she has gone to bed.

I had imagined getting a Hugo/2Go or perhaps even a WA8 but then I was reading about this player (actually the shiny gold one!) and I thought that it might actually have several advantages.

1. A single box is easier to manage than several plus cables etc
2. Won't use battery from my phone
3. More portable than several boxes

At home I use Roon, so it would work fine there. I cannot use ARC because our home internet is Starlink and they use CGNAT which means you cannot dial home. There are - apparently - some kludgey workarounds that may or may not work but they are beyond my paygrade when it comes to computers I am afraid. Hopefully there will eventually be a plug and play way to get ARC in these circumstances but for now not.

So when travelling I will use Qobuz/Tidal for most listening, with the few albums I own (all high res stuff from HD Tracks and Linn) loaded on board.

I mainly listen to acoustic jazz (especially Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, Gene Ammons, Miles Davis) and my main headphones at present are Focal Clear originals.

There are so many A&K players but I am leaning towards the 3K because it is the newest and so has most longevity, latest tech etc. To be honest the sheer size of the lineup makes it tricky to decide what would suit best. The 2000T also seemed a possibility but it is (I think) a bit older.

I would welcome the thoughts and suggestions of users; it is an expensive device (NZ$5,524 for the non-gold versions, $8,000 (!!) for the gold one) so I would not go there without seeking the wisdom of the tribe!

I forgot to add earlier that I also use Qobuz. I filled a 1Tb SD card with local files from my collection but have filled the internal drive with imports from Qobuz. You should get at least 250 albums on the internal drive. This means I can do most of my listening in off-line mode with Wi-Fi switched off. You’ll get longer battery life if you do it this way. I refresh the Qobuz imports on a regular basis, deleting the stuff I’ve not listened to and importing new releases or more albums by favourite artists.

 

[CharlyBrown]

FYI, Apple Classical support will be added around February 21st for the SP3000, KANN Ultra, SP2000T, SE180, SR25 MK II, SR25.

Apple Classical support for the SE300, SR35, KANN Max, KANN Alpha, CA1000 and CA1000T will be added around February 27.

Perfectly, thank you for the great news @JasonNYC

 

[NYanakiev]

I have to say I’m about 2 weeks in with my SP3K and Odyssey IEM’s and it’s now got me to the point I didn’t expect it to be as good as it is. I’m now seriously contemplating selling my 2022 Utopias and Lazulli Ref+ cable as this new set up is just blowing me away.. the fact I can transport this everywhere is an extra bonus.
So pleased I met Mr Yanakiev on here and meeting up, my wife thinks he trying to bankrupt me

Guilty as charged!

 

[Kiwimac]

Great stuff. I see the CA Trifecta isn’t available in NZ. The highest we can get to is the Bonneville.

There’s about NZ$2,000 difference between the two. I’m briefly in NYC in July, so if that’s something I want I’m sure I can find it there. Or indeed anything else!

I was thinking last night that a more drop proof case would not go amiss. Does anyone know of any options?

My most powerful chargers are the big one for iPhones and the biggest one for MacBook Pro charging. Can I use them to charge the SP3000?