[OneEyedHito]

@JasonNYC the SP3000M has the line out feature in the software and it it can be activated in the software but it is not operating as a true line out, it is still using the internal amplifier of the SP3000M. Is this by design or is this another software issue that needs to be updated, and I guess even if it is by design then it is still a software feature that needs to be updated, correct? Thanks in advance.

@twister6 have you used the line out feature of the SP3000M in your testing?

 

[JasonNYC]

@JasonNYC the SP3000M has the line out feature in the software and it it can be activated in the software but it is not operating as a true line out, it is still using the internal amplifier of the SP3000M. Is this by design or is this another software issue that needs to be updated, and I guess even if it is by design then it is still a software feature that needs to be updated, correct? Thanks in advance.

@twister6 have you used the line out feature of the SP3000M in your testing?

The SP3000M fully bypasses the amp section when line out is enabled

 

[OneEyedHito]

The SP3000M fully bypasses the amp section when line out is enabled

I'll move the posts from other thread and just post here.

Mine isn't working that way, it is volume adjustable still. Is this a unit issue or am I doing something wrong? I have the lineup software toggle on in the settings and regardless of the output voltage I select it is the SP3000M still adjusts the power to my iBasso PB5 based on the volume setting of the SP3KM.

 

[JasonNYC]

I'll move the posts from other thread and just post here.

Mine isn't working that way, it is volume adjustable still. Is this a unit issue or am I doing something wrong? I have the lineup software toggle on in the settings and regardless of the output voltage I select it is the SP3000M still adjusts the power to my iBasso PB5 based on the volume setting of the SP3KM.

Once you enable line out, turn the volume knob. You will see lone out on screen. Press that line out onscreen button to enable line out. It's an extra step to prevent accidently enabling line out when headphones are attached.

 

[OneEyedHito]

Once you enable line out, turn the volume knob. You will see lone out on screen. Press that line out onscreen button to enable line out. It's an extra step to prevent accidently enabling line out when headphones are attached.

That did the trick. Thank you as always!!!

 

[OneEyedHito]

PB5 with Astrolith (Planar) and the SP3KM is the ticket for filling in the blanks and expanding the soundstage quite a bit on this little unit. Perfect Match so far!

 

[twister6]

That did the trick. Thank you as always!!!

Yes, as Jason mentioned, for safety reasons after you enable LO in Settings or the notification bar shortcut, A&K DAPs will require you to activate it when you adjust the volume by tapping on the grey Line Out button in the middle of the screen. And you will have to do that every time you disconnect and reconnect the headphone port. Once Line Out is activated, it will be set at a fixed output voltage level. In Settings, when you click on Line Out or if you press'n'hold the Line Out shortcut in the notification bar, it will bring up the output options setting where you can select from 4 different fixed voltage levels for 3.5mm/4.4mm outputs. 2V/4V are common outputs unless your external amp requires lower voltage input.

Btw, I tested SP3000 vs SP3000M Line Out, going into C9ii, and the tonality and technical performance are very close. Maybe just a touch warmer in mids with 3kM and a bit more holographic in soundstage expansion with 3k, but overall it is very close.

 

[OneEyedHito]

Yes, as Jason mentioned, for safety reasons after you enable LO in Settings or the notification bar shortcut, A&K DAPs will require you to activate it when you adjust the volume by tapping on the grey Line Out button in the middle of the screen. And you will have to do that every time you disconnect and reconnect the headphone port. Once Line Out is activated, it will be set at a fixed output voltage level. In Settings, when you click on Line Out or if you press'n'hold the Line Out shortcut in the notification bar, it will bring up the output options setting where you can select from 4 different fixed voltage levels for 3.5mm/4.4mm outputs. 2V/4V are common outputs unless your external amp requires lower voltage input.

Btw, I tested SP3000 vs SP3000M Line Out, going into C9ii, and the tonality and technical performance are very close. Maybe just a touch warmer in mids with 3kM and a bit more holographic in soundstage expansion with 3k, but overall it is very close.

Thank you!

 

[JasonNYC]

Regarding DAR implementation:

The SP3000 uses a hardware-based upsampling. Due to the smaller size of the SP3000M and limited internal space, we decided to implement software-based Digital Audio Remaster (DAR). The audio circuitry used in the SP3000M is identical to the SP3000 for playback of music without DAR enabled.

 

[twister6]

Regarding DAR implementation:

The SP3000 uses a hardware-based upsampling. Due to the smaller size of the SP3000M and limited internal space, we decided to implement software-based Digital Audio Remaster (DAR). The audio circuitry used in the SP3000M is identical to the SP3000 for playback of music without DAR enabled.

Thank you for confirmation! Btw, I just updated SP3000M to the new 1.05 fw but forgot to note the changes mentioned. Is there a list of changes?

 

[twister6]

OK, here are my battery test results for SP3000 vs SP3000M. This is a best-case scenario, both started fully charged at 100%, wifi/BT off, DAR off, display mostly off just turning it on to check the battery status, playing FLAC in a loop from 4.4mm BAL at vol 60, down to full discharge (with just a few % left): SP3000 (5,050 mAh battery) lasted 11hrs, SP3000M (4,200 mAh battery) lasted 9.5hrs.

After today's update to fw1.05, I decided to do a worst-case scenario battery test. Above, I was able to get 9.5hrs with SP3000M with Wifi, BT, and DAR off while playing a local file. For the new test, I had Wifi and DAR on, streaming Amazon HD, with the same pair of IEMs from 4.4mm BAL at vol 60, and I got 6.5hrs of playback time.

 

[makbrown]

and I got 6.5hrs

So, 6.5 to 9.5, depending on conditions and scenarios. Not too bad, as some previous posts have indicated.

 

[makbrown]

but the small form factor of 3kM (and its streaming ability relative to other pocket-friendly gems like P6 Pro and LPGT) is a pleasure to handle

And in terms of SQ only, which of these three “pocket-friendly gems” is the best? Leaving aside UI/UX.

 

[aaf evo]

@JasonNYC I believe MusicTeck has sent their demo unit from CanJam Dallas back to AK. Is there any way you could confirm if perhaps that unit might have been defective in some way or another? What I was hearing in Dallas was just quite far off what I'd expect from an AK-ultima product. I was in such disbelief that I ended up blind buying one anyways to give it another chance and even out the box it is sounding quite different to what I heard in Dallas. Unfortunately, I didn't test Bloom's unit and now I wish I would have when I was there.

The MusicTeck Dallas unit felt quite small and congested.. like the music was almost being downscaled and compressed without any sense of placement in the image or stage. I went through all the DAPs features and made sure it was set up to how I normally use AK players as well before testing. The difference between SP3000 and SP3000T (OP amp mode) with DAR disabled across all devices was quite staggering to say the least.

My personal unit that I just received an hour ago is not sounding anything like that. I will give it some more time and make sure it's burned in but as of now I will likely have to amend my CanJam impressions.

 

[JasonNYC]

@JasonNYC I believe MusicTeck has sent their demo unit from CanJam Dallas back to AK. Is there any way you could confirm if perhaps that unit might have been defective in some way or another? What I was hearing in Dallas was just quite far off what I'd expect from an AK-ultima product. I was in such disbelief that I ended up blind buying one anyways to give it another chance and even out the box it is sounding quite different to what I heard in Dallas. Unfortunately, I didn't test Bloom's unit and now I wish I would have when I was there.

The MusicTeck Dallas unit felt quite small and congested.. like the music was almost being downscaled and compressed without any sense of placement in the image or stage. I went through all the DAPs features and made sure it was set up to how I normally use AK players as well before testing. The difference between SP3000 and SP3000T (OP amp mode) with DAR disabled across all devices was quite staggering to say the least.

My personal unit that I just received an hour ago is not sounding anything like that. I will give it some more time and make sure it's burned in but as of now I will likely have to amend my CanJam impressions.

I did ask about this the other day after also talking to Alex (@twister6) about his experiences vs yours. Following up again. Will let you know. Any chance that unit had EQ turned on? That tends to be an issue at shows sometimes for us where we will see someone was playing with the EQ and leaves it on and may have just randomly sliding options to see how it worked. If I'm in the booth, I usually check that after each person finishes. I know you are well versed with AK players, so I assume you did confirm that,