Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000

[alekc]

I just learned that Astell&Kern and iRiver have been sold to a real estate company called Miwang. What does the future hold for Astell&Kern?

@SPeeDWaGoN it seems that the buyer has started initially as textile company, they exited this sector and turned in estate market, looking for "new growth engines". Looking at A&K previous owner financial results (read: losses), the way they run DAP business doesn't seem like income generator, but obviously financial reports never show everything. IMHO it doesn't look good, especially considering the premium prices A&K has been asking for their devices. Hard to tell if estate company even knows what they are buying, but I would say you can have more customers for estates than for DAPs.

 

[audionewbi]

Here is the link to the article:
https://www.mk.co.kr/en/stock/11206434

 

[tonyusa]

Have you guys try SP3000 to a home system. How does it compare to a good home streamer?

 

[rocketron]

Yes I have used it as a streamer.
Connected to TT2 using optical and into a passive pre amp.
Both cases work perfectly.

I mainly use the SP3K when at home connected to a headphone amp.
Set my play list from Qobuz and use a cheap FiiO remote to change tracks.

It’s a very good streaming device in my opinion.

 

[FooFighter]

What shouldn't be unmentioned is Roon compatibility which is a key for many home streamers.
Just use your Tablet as remote control and use Sp3k as an interface to your home system or headphones / IEMs.
As far as I remember DAR upsampling is supported so the Upsampling is done on the Sp3k while the Qobuz / Tidal PCM data is coming through your Roon server

 

[tonyusa]

Thank you. I would like to find out if it is true that $2,000 home streamer sounded better than SP3000 as a streamer in home system. As some of the guys mentioned to me.

 

[nfandi]

Have you guys try SP3000 to a home system. How does it compare to a good home

Thank you. I would like to find out if it is true that $2,000 home streamer sounded better than SP3000 as a streamer in home system. As some of the guys mentioned to me.

You need to add the cost of the DAC to the cost of the streamer for a fair comparison. Using the SP3000 as a Roon Endpoint means you can use line-out direct to your main amplifier with the use of a 3.5mm to RCA adaptor. I used an inexpensive Audioquest cable when I tested this set up and it worked fine. How do I know which sounds better if I have no idea what the streamer is? I would expect a separate streamer and DAC to sound better but with the SP3000 you also have the benefit of portability.

 

[tonyusa]

You need to add the cost of the DAC to the cost of the streamer for a fair comparison. Using the SP3000 as a Roon Endpoint means you can use line-out direct to your main amplifier with the use of a 3.5mm to RCA adaptor. I used an inexpensive Audioquest cable when I tested this set up and it worked fine. How do I know which sounds better if I have no idea what the streamer is? I would expect a separate streamer and DAC to sound better but with the SP3000 you also have the benefit of portability.

Thank you, sir. Let say I am using SP3000 as a source for home system. I am currently using Chord TT2+Chord M Scaler as a DAC and using USB out from SP3000 to M Scaler. Compare to Innous Zenmini Mk3 as a streamer instead of SP3000.

 

[rocketron]

Thank you, sir. Let say I am using SP3000 as a source for home system. I am currently using Chord TT2+Chord M Scaler as a DAC and using USB out from SP3000 to M Scaler. Compare to Innous Zenmini Mk3 as a streamer instead of SP3000.

Try the optical out of the SP3k before spending any money.
new streamers are coming out all the time.
Check out that latest one from FiiO a long with Auralic.

 

[tonyusa]

Try the optical out of the SP3k before spending any money.
new streamers are coming out all the time.
Check out that latest one from FiiO a long with Auralic.

Thank you, sir. I will try optical. I have an eye on some Auralic, Aurender, and really interested in Nagra streamer.

 

[rocketron]

Thank you, sir. I will try optical. I have an eye on some Auralic, Aurender, and really interested in Nagra streamer.

Nagra streamer looks lovely.
Wonder who makes it?

Luxman streamer is nice.
You can find out who makes that.

Chord have a streamer coming out to match the TT2 soon so I have read .

 

[alekc]

Thank you, sir. I will try optical. I have an eye on some Auralic, Aurender, and really interested in Nagra streamer.

@tonyusa I would add Lumin to the above list, especially if you don't like Roon or do not want to be tie with Roon subscription. Otherwise check out optical like @rocketron says, I've been running M-Scaled TT2 out of optical for quite long time using Lumin as a streamer and I guess A&K SP3000 (I have SP3000T myself) as Roon endpoint could be very competitive as a source.

 

[nfandi]

Thank you, sir. Let say I am using SP3000 as a source for home system. I am currently using Chord TT2+Chord M Scaler as a DAC and using USB out from SP3000 to M Scaler. Compare to Innous Zenmini Mk3 as a streamer instead of SP3000.

I really have no idea or experience which would be better. On paper you would expect it to be the Innuos Streamer but the SP3000 does have a high quality clean sound of its own, though I’ve also never used it using the USB out. When testing my SP3000 against my Roon Nucleus to Holo May the tonalities were very similar but the soundstage and holographic sense from the May was superior to the SP3000. I have also never used it with the optical out so that’s another suggestion worth investigating.

 

[tonyusa]

Thank you everyone.

 

[j0nnyw]

Anyone have information on a potential replacement to the SP3000? I see a number of finishes are marked as out of stock in the UK. I know A&K used to launch at CES but switched to Munich High End Show for product announcements a few years ago. Seems a long time to not be shipping if an announcement is not until May timing.