[nihalsharma]

Quite conflicted about this new release. I love the form factor of this new unit but cannot help but wonder if it will sound good enough as I felt that big brother ie SP3000 was not at the level of top DAPs from L&P and Cayin (probably due to a far less powerful amp section);

I started on my DAP journey with a SP2000, followed by 2 SP3K units. I have been a Roon lover for a few years now and A&K’s Roon endpoint and Roon Arc smarts meant that it was the only option for me at the time. However, my Cayin N30LE was head and shoulders above the SP3000, albeit in a much bigger (and heavier) package. L&P’s DAPs sound incredible but have IMO really poor software and only offer SD card playback.

The question is if I should I give up on native Roon support at the cost of a (IMO) gimped OS (with terribly slow app updates) or should I opt for a more modern platform but accept a handicapped version of Roon?

Decisions, decisions.

I would not put Sp3000 in the same leagues as N30LE and L&P DAPs, but I would still place it in the list of top DAPs. Different machines, different price ranges, different OS implementations, etc. I have not tried the N30LE but have tried the L&P daps, which I think are good in terms of sound, but the OS experience was underwhelming and there was no streaming, something I would definitely consider when buying a dap. LP6 Ti 7th Anni is quite good, but I am sure its thick and dense sound may not gel well with many IEMs, and its super expensive too. I have not spent enough time with it, though.

With SP3000, its all about the synergy with the IEMs, as most of us would agree. However, there is no denying that AK should think about the amp sections of its flagships. This is one thing that's off-putting and limiting the performances with some power-hungry IEMs. Not sure they have worked on this in the new SP3000M.

 

[mikaik]

I would not put Sp3000 in the same leagues as N30LE and L&P DAPs, but I would still place it in the list of top DAPs. Different machines, different price ranges, different OS implementations, etc. I have not tried the N30LE but have tried the L&P daps, which I think are good in terms of sound, but the OS experience was underwhelming and there was no streaming, something I would definitely consider when buying a dap. LP6 Ti 7th Anni is quite good but I am sure its thick and dense sound may not gel well with many IEMs. I have not spent enough time with it though. With SP3000, its all about the synergy with the IEMs. However, there is no denying that AK should think about the amp sections of its flagships. This is one thing that's off-putting and limiting the performances with some power-hungry IEMs.

It's difficult to cater for everybody. I, for one, would prefer more portable DAPs. I can hook up an amplifier, if needs be, for home listening. There are so many models to choose from, Brise, Mass Kobo, Cayin, Thrax, etc.
But if the player is big and bulky, I might as well use a desktop setup instead.
When I'm travelling, I can take a more efficient IEM with me, or carry the Tsuranagi in addition to the player.
Plus, you have more freedom with external amps.
Different people, different needs. There is beauty in diversity.

 

[nihalsharma]

But if the player is big and bulky, I might as well use a desktop setup instead.

To be honest, I don't find the SP3000 to be too bulky to move to a desktop setup. It's still manageable, though not pocketable for sure, which is case with most of good daps. I alternate between the LPGT and SP3000, and the SP3000’s larger form doesn’t bother me at all. For me, desktop setups come into play because they can deliver a major step up over portable options, especially with certain IEMs that scale impressively on a full desktop chain. That said, it’s not something I’d replace my DAP with entirely.

 

[nioh]

Headphone.Shop is calling this a SP3000 successor claiming it does everything the same in a much more compact package. It’s smaller than the iPhone 15 Pro (albeit the thickness) and costs €1700 less than the original.

https://headphone.shop/de/review-as...StZfn9VkzPrnRkt9uc0djLInZoKcmDTtA6oxYne7JgIOf

 

[TRHH]

the support for the existing ones that's the problem, especially at the price.

Absolutely right! This combined with to many problems: Roon ARC did not work anymore, poor WiFi ..... They make some great products, but the support is poor. I have stopped buying their products.

 

[mikaik]

Meanwhile, behold my mobile setup

I really shouldn't be complaining about big bulky players...

 

[JasonNYC]

Absolutely right! This combined with to many problems: Roon ARC did not work anymore, poor WiFi ..... They make some great products, but the support is poor. I have stopped buying their products.

What Roon Arc issues are you referring to? I checked back PMs and threads and don't see any posts or messages by you mentioning Roon Arc issues. There was an issue with Roon Arc on the SP3000 and SP3000T a few months back that was discussed in detail in both threads. It was an issue on Roon's end that affected certain devices with Snapdragon processors, not just AK devices and was fixed by Roon a few weeks later.

 

[TRHH]

What Roon Arc issues are you referring to? I checked back PMs and threads and don't see any posts or messages by you mentioning Roon Arc issues. There was an issue with Roon Arc on the SP3000 and SP3000T a few months back that was discussed in detail in both threads. It was an issue on Roon's end that affected certain devices with Snapdragon processors, not just AK devices and was fixed by Roon a few weeks later.

This is not the only forum! And yes it was related to SP3000.

Waiting and wating for a fix to the problem! I sold the SP3000.

 

[JasonNYC]

Is there any indication of when in November this will be or when we can expect dealers to be receiving stock?

Latest update is the SP3000M is expected around the first week of November to dealers.

 

[aaf evo]

Lates update is the SP3000M is expected around the first week of November to dealers.

Awesome, thank you! Also does the SP3000M LO fully bypass the amp section? I am looking mostly to use this as a source to an external amplifier.

 

[jricey]

The SP3000 is a fantastic DAP. I hope it is supported well into the future.

 

[aaf evo]

It looks like Moon Audio is expecting their stock on the 30th… so I assume maybe they’re arriving to dealers earlier than planned?

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/astell-kern-a-ultima-sp3000m-now-available-eta-10-30-24.974635/

 

[7ryder]

It looks like Moon Audio is expecting their stock on the 30th… so I assume maybe they’re arriving to dealers earlier than planned?

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/astell-kern-a-ultima-sp3000m-now-available-eta-10-30-24.974635/

I've ordered one from Moon Audio. No projected ship date as of yet, but I'll give an update when I hear something.

 

[JasonNYC]

It looks like Moon Audio is expecting their stock on the 30th… so I assume maybe they’re arriving to dealers earlier than planned?

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/astell-kern-a-ultima-sp3000m-now-available-eta-10-30-24.974635/

They are shipping to dealers this week, so expected to ship to customers first week of November depending on when shipments arrive at dealers and dealers turn them around to customers.

 

[muscle7]

They are shipping to dealers this week, so expected to ship to customers first week of November depending on when shipments arrive at dealers and dealers turn them around to customers.

Will you guys be sending more NOVUS to dealers at the same time?