Astell&Kern new flagship A&Ultima SP2000

[cheznous]

The reported problem only happens with the SP2000. This bug was not fixed since the release of SP2000. I have other AK previous players and they do not have this behaviour.

It could actually be this that caused the problem where other AK players do not.
"The SP2000 is the first Astell&Kern player to use separate, independent audio channels between the Unbalanced and Balanced outputs."

Why Jasons answer seems incorrect is that you can go back from a dsf file with no sound to a flac file and it plays fine. Then go back to the dsf file and nada. Unplug and plug the 2.5mm connector and it now works.
Balanced icon shows all the time apart from when you unplug.

 

[Skullar]

Guys, couple of questions about sp2000.

1. How long does battery last while streaming Amazon Uhd or equivalent on other apps.
2. Also, does Amazon HD app support Ultra HD playback and downloads.

Thanks a lot

 

[jaykay1967]

Hi Darius,

Playback time - I’ve never completely run the battery completely down on Amazon UHD but my best guess would be 9+ hours, fully charged on strong and consistent wifi signal and with wired Iem rather than bluetooth.

Re stream/download - Amazon UHD confirmed below. Ditto Tidal (new firmware due this week to fix a login issue created at the Tidal end), Qobuz. Expecting same on spotify.

jay

 

[gryphonos]

I have a question, which I like to address here:

I have to use an 4,4 mm to 2,5 mm adapter on my SP2000 and I very much like the EA AKA adapter. It works well and I have no complaints sound-wise. Until now I have used the combination SP2K and AKA adapter only without a case, when I'm at home. Today I have put the SP2K a dignis case on, have inserted the adapter and wondered, because I heard no klick sound, that would indicate the AKA is fully inserted. What I feared happened then: no sound.
My conclusion: the recess for the sockets is not wide enough, so that the adapter hits the leather and cannot be inserted fully.

Cause I have seen here SP2000s with a leather cases "on", that look like dignis cases, I want to ask you:

What is the trick?
Did you cut out a wider recess on the dignis case or do you use alternative cases?

I would appreciate your suggestions

 

[jaykay1967]

I have a question, which I like to address here:

I have to use an 4,4 mm to 2,5 mm adapter on my SP2000 and I very much like the EA AKA adapter. It works well and I have no complaints sound-wise. Until now I have used the combination SP2K and AKA adapter only without a case, when I'm at home. Today I have put the SP2K a dignis case on, have inserted the adapter and wondered, because I heard no klick sound, that would indicate the AKA is fully inserted. What I feared happened then: no sound.
My conclusion: the recess for the sockets is not wide enough, so that the adapter hits the leather and cannot be inserted fully.

Cause I have seen here SP2000s with a leather cases "on", that look like dignis cases, I want to ask you:

What is the trick?
Did you cut out a wider recess on the dignis case or do you use alternative cases?

I would appreciate your suggestions

Hi grphonos,

I don't this q is for me. But just in case it was, the green case is the original Astell case that comes with the SS version and the top of the SS is open and so I've never had an issue with the EA balance connectors.

 

[gryphonos]

ah yes, you're right; with my Cu version it's a brown cover, that would allow to use the AKA adapter without issues. I wanted to substitute it, cause it does not cover the edges.
Thanks for your hint.

 

[Burakk]

I have an issue with my sp2000. Latest firmware running and factory reset applied. It seems it has %78 charge. It doesn’t power on. It doesn’t increase when plugged in even tough it looks like charging.

It can start if it’s plugged in a fast charger but whenever I unplug power cable it shuts down. It acts like there is no battery in it and requires fast charger. For instance, it doesn’t power on with usb power.

Once it starts, it works while on charge as before. When unplug it, sp2000 turns off.

Is there anyone who experienced this issue before? Any comment @JasonNYC ?

 

[cheznous]

I have an issue with my sp2000. Latest firmware running and factory reset applied. It seems it has %78 charge. It doesn’t power on. It doesn’t increase when plugged in even tough it looks like charging.

It can start if it’s plugged in a fast charger but whenever I unplug power cable it shuts down. It acts like there is no battery in it and requires fast charger. For instance, it doesn’t power on with usb power.

Once it starts, it works while on charge as before. When unplug it, sp2000 turns off.

Is there anyone who experienced this issue before? Any comment @JasonNYC ?

I had a similar problem with my first sp2000. Fortunately my dealer exchanged it for a replacement.
I wondered if a fast charger had caused the damage but the symptoms were exactly as you described.

 

[Burakk]

I used just fast charger portable batter not even plug.

 

[cheznous]

I used just fast charger portable batter not even plug.

I stopped using my battery pack as if I left it until it drained it then drained the SP2000 it had just charged.
Its an Omnicharge charger but I stopped using it after this unless I was present to switch off when the AK charged. I do not think that “broke” my SP2000 though. Mine happened after being plugged into a fast mains charger.

 

[DavidS11]

I have an issue with my sp2000. Latest firmware running and factory reset applied. It seems it has %78 charge. It doesn’t power on. It doesn’t increase when plugged in even tough it looks like charging.

It can start if it’s plugged in a fast charger but whenever I unplug power cable it shuts down. It acts like there is no battery in it and requires fast charger. For instance, it doesn’t power on with usb power.

Once it starts, it works while on charge as before. When unplug it, sp2000 turns off.

Is there anyone who experienced this issue before? Any comment @JasonNYC ?

I had a similar problem with my first sp2000. Fortunately my dealer exchanged it for a replacement.
I wondered if a fast charger had caused the damage but the symptoms were exactly as you described.

Count me 3rd person having this problem on my first SP2000 (using fast charger). Replacement unit don’t have this problem yet, probably because I’m afraid it will happen again so I mainly use standard charger now. I’m afraid SP2000 charging system is not very reliable. Don’t have such problem with SP1000 since it is on fast charger all the time.

 

[Tanalasta]

Thanks for the heads up. I charge mine using a power bank mostly but will avoid the 60W usbC output.

SP2K showing its age

 

[DavidS11]

Thanks for the heads up. I charge mine using a power bank mostly but will avoid the 60W usbC output.

SP2K showing its age

I was using fast charging from a normal power bank when it happened on mine. Not saying it will happen with any power bank (usually they have auto sensing 9v charging output). But, just be careful when charging the sp2000. One suggestion is to watch out for any blinking light or screen flashing as soon as you plug it in for charging (using any power banks or power bricks). Stop immediately if you see any such symptoms.

 

[cheznous]

Thanks for the heads up. I charge mine using a power bank mostly but will avoid the 60W usbC output.

SP2K showing its age

Definitely do not use the usbc 60w output. I think that is what bricked mine.

 

[Sigurhead]

Hello
English is not my mother tongue, I apologize hahahaha. The same thing happened to me too. 3 months of use with fast charge without problems (also charge the sp1000, sa700, Kann Alpha without problems) and at the end of the third month the Sp 2000 only worked plugged in and unplugged and turned off. I sent it to technical service (2 months in Korea). He came back on a Friday, I used it, Monday, Tuesday and on Thursday it didn't turn on anymore. I mean, not even plugged in, it didn't turn on, it was worse than before. I sent it back to technical service, I think it will arrive in another month. Disappointed to only use it 3 months and have the same fault. The only good thing is that I don't feel so alone.