[Maco30]

The Audeze LCD-5 are definitely too heavy for AK 3KT. I have an Audeze MM500, and the 3KT can't handle them, and they are not as tight as the LCD-5. If you listen through the Burson, it is better to take at least the Soloist 3X-Performance (which has a power of 8000 mW on the balanced output). The LCD-5 needs good amplification to reveal its full potential. But then there is no point in taking the SP3000T, since all its charm and magic is in the tube amplification (and hibrid), which is naturally absent in the Burson amplifier. If you take a tube amplifier, then the OP mode from SP3000T will no longer exist. Then it would be better, in that case, to take the SP3000 in conjunction with the Burson, its price has already dropped to the level of the 3000T. Or instead of LCD-5 find some really nice IEMs in the same price range: Empire Ears – Raven or Empire Ears – Odin, or Astell & Kern x Empire Ears - NOVUS (for example) and eliminate from equation the amplifier.

I own a Burson Conductor 3 Reference. I thought the A&K 3T connection would be weak for the LCD 5. I need a DAP source that will work in the LCD-5 and Burson connection. Now I'm using a cell phone as a source and I don't like that.

 

[paracelsius]

I own a Burson Conductor 3 Reference. I thought the A&K 3T connection would be weak for the LCD 5. I need a DAP source that will work in the LCD-5 and Burson connection. Now I'm using a cell phone as a source and I don't like that.

Any DAP will work in tandem with an amplifier only as a DAC (digital to analog converter). In other words, the three types of amplification in the SP3000T (tube, solid and hybrid), which are the main value of this player, will not be used. The SP3000T can work in tandem with an amplifier, but this setup will not be maximally efficient (efficiency - to get the most for the least). The AK SP3000T is designed specifically for IEM and is maximally efficient in tandem with an IEM without an additional amplifier. The best solution (most efficient) for the LCD-5 in tandem with an amplifier will be a DAP in which the DAC is the most important component (of highest level), for example, the AK SP3000.
You probably know that Astell & Kern created two top players SP3000 and SP3000T. The main value of SP3000 is DAC precisely (unprecedented, highest conversion level of digital signal to analog). The main value of SP3000T (leaving aside the exceptional level of digital conversion) is three types of amplification: tube, solid and hybrid, which will not be used with an external amplifier. Both are the same price, so decide for yourself.

 

[mikaik]

Any DAP will work in tandem with an amplifier only as a DAC (digital to analog converter). In other words, the three types of amplification in the SP3000T (tube, solid and hybrid), which are the main value of this player, will not be used. The SP3000T can work in tandem with an amplifier, but this setup will not be maximally efficient (efficiency - to get the most for the least). The AK SP3000T is designed specifically for IEM and is maximally efficient in tandem with an IEM without an additional amplifier. The best solution (most efficient) for the LCD-5 in tandem with an amplifier will be a DAP in which the DAC is the most important component (of highest level), for example, the AK SP3000.

I think @paracelsius forgot to explain that it depends on how one connects the DAP to the amp.

Case 1. If connected using the RCA inputs on the Burson, the amp is taking the sound from the headphones exit of the DAP and, well, amplify it. But any changes ocurring to the source will be reflected in the sound at the output of the amp. A good amp will not change the sound, except for a tube amp, that adds certain harmonics.
I often use the 3kT with a Tsuranagi amp. When changing the amp mode on the DAP, the difference is clearly audible.

Case 2. If connected via a USB cable, the DAP becomes only a transport, everything is done by the Burson and it's the case @paracelsius described, with the entire DAC and amp sections in the AK, bypassed. It makes no difference if you connect a phone or any other source, if the DAC in the Burson does the processing.

So you can still take advantage of the tube amp of the AK, depending on how you connect it to the amp, but if not interested in mobility, a dedicated DAC would be a better idea.

 

[Maco30]

Thanks for the explanation. So I can use the potential of the A&K 3t and its tube, but I have to go to an amp with rca cables. So I had planned to use rca, but it was not clear to me how the A&K circuits work. In time, I can buy iem headphones and use A&K as both a portable and desktop source.
I assume that connecting with an optical cable is not suitable.
Do you know any good rca cable with transition to Astell Kern?
Sorry for my english

 

[paramac]

I use or use a FIIO In-EAR FA19, a Focal Stellia and a T+A P-SE for the AK 3000t.
The first two were a good fit for the AK, both are easy to use and make good use of the quality of the 3000t, the P-SE works too, but here I have the impression that it seems a bit tired, for comparison I have a stationary Violectric DHA-V590 as a reference.
Planars need a bit more power overall than dynamic headphones. I think that mobile DACs are primarily designed for in-ears because they can be used anywhere and mobility here leads to compromises.

 

[mikaik]

Thanks for the explanation. So I can use the potential of the A&K 3t and its tube, but I have to go to an amp with rca cables. So I had planned to use rca, but it was not clear to me how the A&K circuits work. In time, I can buy iem headphones and use A&K as both a portable and desktop source.
I assume that connecting with an optical cable is not suitable.
Do you know any good rca cable with transition to Astell Kern?
Sorry for my english

Any 3,5mm to 2xRCA would work. I like the Penon cables, for example. But there are many other options. Even cables from Amazon are ok, just don't buy the cheapest one.
Am optical cable carries digital signal, just like a USB cable. So, assuming the SP3kT still has optical out from the 3,5mm port (which I haven't checked), you'd be in the same case 2 as explained above, namely digital signal into your external DAC, with the SP3kT merely a transport.

 

[Mononeko]

Any 3,5mm to 2xRCA would work. I like the Penon cables, for example. But there are many other options. Even cables from Amazon are ok, just don't buy the cheapest one.
Am optical cable carries digital signal, just like a USB cable. So, assuming the SP3kT still has optical out from the 3,5mm port (which I haven't checked), you'd be in the same case 2 as explained above, namely digital signal into your external DAC, with the SP3kT merely a transport.

Can confirm, the optical out still shares the same port as 3.5 PO.

 

[BlueThunder]

Is there any reason why the SP3000T would be designed for IEMs and 3000 for larger headphones as suggested above? Does the 3000 have a more powerful amp? I thought it was more that one had a cleaner OP sound and the other offered 3 types of sound.

 

[paracelsius]

Is there any reason why the SP3000T would be designed for IEMs and 3000 for larger headphones as suggested above? Does the 3000 have a more powerful amp? I thought it was more that one had a cleaner OP sound and the other offered 3 types of sound.

My idea was that both players are designed for IEMs, but the SP3000 is more suitable in conjunction with a headphone amplifier. This is just my subjective opinion, based on practicality and more efficient use of the players' capabilities. However, neither one nor the other is capable of opening up alone with headphones that require more power, and all planar headphones (including the LCD-5) need amplification to reveal their full potential. Otherwise, neither the SP3000 (SP3000T) nor the headphones are worth their money.

 

[mikaik]

Actually, the SE power is the same, 3,3 Vrms, while balanced the 3000T has 6,6 Vrms vs 6,3 for 3000. Quite often I read that the SP3000 does not have enough power. What I can tell you is that certain IEMs could use more power. Annihilator is one of them. After having heard it on a Boulder 812, it sounded weak on my 3kT and I had to connect it to Tsuranagi to get to like it again. Subtonic storm is another example of IEM that could use more power. But it sounds great even driven directly from 3kT. Duno about 3k, but probably not that different.
Both can drive some HP and will struggle with others. Meze Liric, Empyrean sound great; Susvara, probably not .

 

[Mononeko]

yeah compare to other brands, AK is certainly lacking behind in term of power output. So if you have something like Subtonic Storm or Modhouse Tungsten, you might not be able to drive it properly

 

[paramac]

As I mentioned above, these are basically devices that are designed for mobile use and whose effectiveness is limited here. However, there are certainly over-ear headphones that can also be used well with such devices; I already mentioned the Focal Stellia as an example.
Basically, I therefore take a two-pronged approach: mobile with AK and Co. and stationary, for example, with a Mac and Violectric.

 

[alekc]

My idea was that both players are designed for IEMs, but the SP3000 is more suitable in conjunction with a headphone amplifier. This is just my subjective opinion, based on practicality and more efficient use of the players' capabilities. However, neither one nor the other is capable of opening up alone with headphones that require more power, and all planar headphones (including the LCD-5) need amplification to reveal their full potential. Otherwise, neither the SP3000 (SP3000T) nor the headphones are worth their money.

@paracelsius this is interesting point of view. While I had so far only briefly contact with SP3kT you could keep it in solid state mode and connect with another amp if you like its signature in such setting.

While I have been testing SP3kT only with Meze Advar as IEMs I haven't heard any noise, Twister6 review bring this topic to the table mentioning it can be an issue for sensitive, easy to drive IEMs especially on low volume.

 

[flymovies]

Dear members, I have just joined the Astell&Kern community and also this forum. I am very happy with my purchase so far. However, I could not find the answer to one question: I have digitized tons of vinyl albums through a rather high-end DSD chain. I have loaded those gems onto a microSD card and tried to play them back while using EQ settings and listening on 4.4 mil. balanced out. I think I know the answer already, but could is be that even with the flagship SP3000T EQ operations on locally stored DSD files are not possible? It would be a shame, because even my cheap Sony NW-A306 can do it, also Cayin N3Ultra does it with the trick of PCM conversion and then EQ settings applied. Thoughts?

 

[Alexzander]

Dear members, I have just joined the Astell&Kern community and also this forum. I am very happy with my purchase so far. However, I could not find the answer to one question: I have digitized tons of vinyl albums through a rather high-end DSD chain. I have loaded those gems onto a microSD card and tried to play them back while using EQ settings and listening on 4.4 mil. balanced out. I think I know the answer already, but could is be that even with the flagship SP3000T EQ operations on locally stored DSD files are not possible? It would be a shame, because even my cheap Sony NW-A306 can do it, also Cayin N3Ultra does it with the trick of PCM conversion and then EQ settings applied. Thoughts?

I do not own the device, but maybe enabling DAR could help? Have you tried it?
I mean if they oversample why not to apply EQ on this stage.