[Tristy]

not sure why he even thinks SP3000M can be same class/grade/sounding as SP3000 when you already know how SQ is quite different between SP1000 and SP1000M.. if is very near then why one should even think of buying SP3000?

Some of the introductory videos from the likes of Moon audio etc indicate that this is the case. Like @aaf evo mentioned above, I believe some of the official marketing alludes to this as well.

 

[phiemon]

not sure why he even thinks SP3000M can be same class/grade/sounding as SP3000 when you already know how SQ is quite different between SP1000 and SP1000M.. if is very near then why one should even think of buying SP3000?

I’ve never said it would be. I tried the SP1000M and the SP1000 and the sound quality difference was noticeable there and it is here too. But some people are convinced it is an SP3000 in a smaller chassis, it is not that and AK’s marketing of the 3000M can be misleading.

In my personal opinion it is not “very near” the sound quality of the SP3000. You’re giving up quite a bit to have the smaller form factor. I recommend trying it yourself if you can.

...

Some of the introductory videos from the likes of Moon audio etc indicate that this is the case. Like @aaf evo mentioned above, I believe some of the official marketing alludes to this as well.

… this:

https://bloomaudio.com/blogs/articles/addition-by-subtraction-astell-kern-sp3000m-review
https://www.moon-audio.com/blogs/expert-advice/astell-kern-sp3000-m-dap-music-player-review
https://headphone.shop/review-astell-kern-sp3000m/

So, the expectations are right.

 

[aaf evo]

At the end of the day please just consider my opinions as nothing more than my own, I love the SP3000 sound so trust me when I say I wanted the 3000M to be similar enough to not notice a big difference and enjoy a more portable version. Unfortunately my ears are telling me otherwise.

I am about to head back down to the show floor and I do plan to try it some more to either confirm my thoughts or change them.

For me in terms of sound preference so far it goes SP3000T hybrid/tubes > SP3000 > SP3000T OP amp > SP3000M

 

[OneEyedHito]

At the end of the day please just consider my opinions as nothing more than my own, I love the SP3000 sound so trust me when I say I wanted the 3000M to be similar enough to not notice a big difference and enjoy a more portable version. Unfortunately my ears are telling me otherwise.

I am about to head back down to the show floor and I do plan to try it some more to either confirm my thoughts or change them.

For me in terms of sound preference so far it goes SP3000T hybrid/tubes > SP3000 > SP3000T OP amp > SP3000M

These impressions are at the show? Are they side-by-side or are you going from memory? You don’t need to reply right now obviously enjoy the show if that’s the case but it’s just important context for people to pay attention to.

 

[aaf evo]

These impressions are at the show?

For the SP3000M yes, and I borrowed it for a few hours in my hotel room as well to get away from the noise.

 

[OneEyedHito]

Yes and I borrowed it for a few hours in my hotel room as well to get away from the noise.

OK, that’s good context thanks brother!

 

[mikaik]

For the SP3000M yes, and I borrowed it for a few hours in my hotel room as well to get away from the noise.

Thanks for taking the time to write about it. It is at the very least a warning sign for us, the rest, to try and test it before buying. There are so many players coming out at the same time, that it'd be silly to buy blindly. The idea of a smaller SP3000 sounds so nice, but I'll wait till I've heard it. I was already unsure due to the overlap with my existing 3000T, which I find excellent, now I'm even more hesitant. Maybe all I need is a bigger bag
Or maybe I should look for a SR35, I quite like it and it is cheaper.

 

[aaf evo]

Thanks for taking the time to write about it. It is at the very least a warning sign for us, the rest, to try and test it before buying. There are so many players coming out at the same time, that it'd be silly to buy blindly. The idea of a smaller SP3000 sounds so nice, but I'll wait till I've heard it. I was already unsure due to the overlap with my existing 3000T, which I find excellent, now I'm even more hesitant. Maybe all I need is a bigger bag
Or maybe I should look for a SR35, I quite like it and it is cheaper.

For sure! It’s definitely worth a demo especially if the size I’d important. I think my biggest gripe is probably that I wish it had a bit less mid bass. I feel it masks some of the sub bass depth as a result.

 

[JasonNYC]

Hello @JasonNYC just got the sp3000m. A great little player indeed but it doesn't seem to scan all my songs under SD card inserted.
How do I manually scan the SD card so all my songs can be detected? Looks like there is no scan disk option but only relying on auto-scanning which doesn't work well.
I have to reformat the sd card and upload all my files again. What a bummer!

To force a full rescan, go to Settings -> System Reset -> Initialize media scan. This will perform a full media scan and usually fixes 99% of issues as long as the ID3 tags are correct. Please note, depending on the amount of tracks in internal memory and microSD card, it can take up to 15 - 20 minutes to complete the scan.

 

[JasonNYC]

My SR35 can’t connect to my 5Ghz WiFi network since it uses WPA3 password - can the SP3000m connect to such a network? I’m „fine” with SR35 being unable to connect, but flagship player should have all the bells and whistles at least with security - no one expects WiFi 7

The following players currently support WPA3 - SP3000, SP3000T, SP3000M and the P1.

 

[OneEyedHito]

@JasonNYC a couple of quick questions/feature requests if they are not already there:
1. Is there a rotate screen feature so that when the device is held flipped 180 horiz that you can still see the screen upright if you want the headphone cable to come out of the bottom, if not can it be added even on a limited android os kernel?
2. Wheel lock in settings doesn’t seem to actually lock anything on my SP3000M the volume wheel (knob) still works while the software button is engaged (blue), what is the background on this feature and is it working correctly in some manner I am missing?

Going to cross post this to the standard SP3K thread for coverage but a reply in either location is always appreciated!

Thanks

 

[punknotyet]

Wheel lock in settings doesn’t seem to actually lock anything on my SP3000M

"Wheel lock" button blocks the volume knob, only when the screen is off.

 

[OneEyedHito]

"Wheel lock" button blocks the volume knob, only when the screen is off.

Beautiful, thanks! @JasonNYC my 2nd question is already answered.

 

[mrelland]

To force a full rescan, go to Settings -> System Reset -> Initialize media scan. This will perform a full media scan and usually fixes 99% of issues as long as the ID3 tags are correct. Please note, depending on the amount of tracks in internal memory and microSD card, it can take up to 15 - 20 minutes to complete the scan.

I Loaded a 1.5TB card and it always says 'scanning media' since that time, about 1.5 weeks ago. normal?

 

[JasonNYC]

@JasonNYC a couple of quick questions/feature requests if they are not already there:
1. Is there a rotate screen feature so that when the device is held flipped 180 horiz that you can still see the screen upright if you want the headphone cable to come out of the bottom, if not can it be added even on a limited android os kernel?
2. Wheel lock in settings doesn’t seem to actually lock anything on my SP3000M the volume wheel (knob) still works while the software button is engaged (blue), what is the background on this feature and is it working correctly in some manner I am missing?

Going to cross post this to the standard SP3K thread for coverage but a reply in either location is always appreciated!

Thanks

I also answered your questions in the SP3000 thread.

1. Is there a rotate screen feature so that when the device is held flipped 180 horiz that you can still see the screen upright if you want the headphone cable to come out of the bottom, if not can it be added even on a limited android os kernel?

No rotate screen feature available.

2. Wheel lock in settings doesn’t seem to actually lock anything on my SP3000M (assuming it is same on the 3K) the volume wheel (knob) still works while the software button is engaged (blue), what is the background on this feature and is it working correctly in some manner I am missing?

Wheel lock works when screen is off. If the screen is on, even with wheel lock enabled, the volume wheel will continue to work.