Astell&Kern Debuts A&ultima SP4000 at High End Munich 2025

[Fafner]

I hope it is this way. I love the minimalistic AK OS with Android app support. Lol.

Me too. Apart from very few sound-specific apps like Neutron Player (it has to be seen if the so called new Android implementation will allow it to work as intended), I don't see the need to install particular stuff, music streaming services apart.

 

[nioh]

Yet another AK4499EX DAC. Someone count how many there are already ..

 

[WDitters]

MSRP for the SP3000 was around €4000,00 ... I genuinely fear that price of the SP4000 will massively exceed what us mere mortals will be capable of forking out ..

 

[MusicalDoc8]

A&K GOES WITH OPEN ANDROID OS?

Now they get interesting! Really looking forward to try it! Any hope for an European Tour???

 

[WDitters]

Any hope for an European Tour???

I also vote for that

 

[DAPpower]

So you will be able to use Neutron or UAPP on the SP4000?

Interesting.


Being full Android also adds the possibility of tweaking and debloating via ADB commands and even rooted settings which can boost audio performance and increase battery life.


I'm very sure that this player will be too expensive for most people to afford anyhow.

 

[Noobzilla]

Looks like the edges are sharp as usual making it dangerous to use without a case.

 

[OnlySoMany]

No R2R, no care

 

[Valiado69]

A&K GOES WITH OPEN ANDROID OS?

Now they get interesting! Really looking forward to try it! Any hope for an European Tour???

As an owner of an SP3K and having owned almost every model of AK, I also vote for that

 

[Gymboy]

Everything is in vain if support and a software are lacking. Sound is probably nice but for that money I would expect proper in house R2R solution. If you brick it with software update you will pay for it (Kann 1st gen).

 

[Yefry]

I would also be happy to participate in a European SP4000 tour, I had a short time on the SP3000 and it was really enjoyable

 

[eugn]

Is there any information about the size and weight?

 

[bflat]

MSRP for the SP3000 was around €4000,00 ... I genuinely fear that price of the SP4000 will massively exceed what us mere mortals will be capable of forking out ..

AK added a few more new acronyms - ESA, DAR, HDI. Probably going to cost about $500 each.

 

[tamtrum]

Are the corners and edges of the SP4000 going to be rounded? I know the SP3000 chassis was quite sharp and you were forced to use the case or you'll cut yourself

 

[CharlyBrown]

Looking forward to trying it out next week!