Astell&Kern new flagship A&Ultima SP2000
- Thread starter beaux
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Happy US launch day for the SP2000! I've spent the past few days with ours and it's been a pure joy. Shared some candid thoughts on it in a video here:
Full disclosure: I'm an A&K dealer, but my impressions were genuine. Happy to answer any questions if you all have any.
Full disclosure: I'm an A&K dealer, but my impressions were genuine. Happy to answer any questions if you all have any.
I don’ Know why you do not have the Sony WM1Z in your inventory. The 1A is brighter just like the SP2K. It sounds like you like warmer and slower sounds. I think the Erlkonig and SP2K combo may be too much for you. To me they are not bright or in your face, they are immensely lively, fun, and transparent.
Listen to your own words, you spent 3.5K just so you can TOLERATE the SP2K. And you spent another 5K on the Erlkonig so you can again TOLERATE the in your face sound. Man my hats off to you, you are a man with many virtues and particularly tolerance. When it comes to audiophile gears, tolerance is not one of my virtues. I think God created tolerance to be used in marriage and not in hifi so you can work all your life to please another person just so you can tolerate her.
But compassion is one of my virtues, so if it helps to reduce your pain so you no longer have to tolerate them, I will take them off your hands for not too much loss if that will help, please let me know and you know I already have the Erlkonig and the SP2K, so it is not for me. It is truly a compassionate act.
mmm....I think you misunderstand my position. I am posting what I am hearing and I am the world's foremost expert.....on what I am hearing just as you are the world's foremost expert on what you are hearing.
What I've posted in this thread (and other threads)stands....my quest is for the best portable system for both in-ears and headphones to match my HE 1 (elevator music, my ass). PERIOD. It is my personal journey that started in 2013. I've been through a lot of quality headfi gear since my journey started and I am no longer easily impressed. For me, the SP2K cu is just one device. Impressive yes. Perfect, hell no. PERIOD.
If the SP2K cu is your holy grail, together with your erlkonig. Good for you. Congratulations. Your journey ends.
Like I said....let us agree to disagree and keep on posting.
Peace.
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I've bought an XLR to 2.5mm adapter the last two days and now probably have 50 hours on the player and around 100 on the Stellia. Before I went balanced I noticed a massive improvement in the bass delivery, I'm pretty certain that's just in the HP rather than the player warming?
With the player using balanced out it feels so much wider, more separation maybe a little less slam but the bass is tighter. Really does feel like an open-back, volume levels around 85 and get all the shimmers but maybe a little less thump, but much more comfortable to listen to.
The custom cable should be here tomorrow and beginning to think the copper cable will suit this pairing the best. I did have my doubts when I think of the cost but it's just so pretty to look at!
Yeah, I got a 2.5mm to XLR adapter in today and I too noticed an improvement in SQ with the headphones that I tried. A&K should really include a few different balanced adapters in the box.
Or Focal's shocking cable choice
MRT-Man
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Can you comment on how it compares to the Hugo 2? I know that the Hugo 2 is a DAC and not a DAP, but just curious.
The SP2000 is much more neutral and "analytical" (sorry, I hate using that word but it feels right) with no EQ. Both have excellent instrument separation and richness.
Sorry, to be specific: The 2 cables that came with the Stellia. Not sure why they chose the 2 connections and lengths they did; seems a custom cable is mandatory for use with a DAP
But certainly some adapters would help from the A&K side. I just long for a day when I don't have adapters in adapters!
Ah, I gotcha. Yeah, I've never been a big fan of Focal's cables.
noplsestar
Headphoneus Supremus
I don’t know why you quoted my post. Because you didn’t answer my questions: Is the EQ something that works with the SP2k?
fire2368
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I don't think the Sp2000 has less bass. It's got different bass. It's got better attack and less boomy.
Unless you think this is less bass.
jscmd2000
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With the SP2k coming in this weekend, I need a pair of closed cans for portable use quick!
I didn't really care for Z1Rs... I have the Ether C flows that are okay, could be better. I am quite happy with my A18t so not looking for another iem
Could someone who has experience with both Stellia and HD820 comment on what they prefer and why? I've narrowed down to those two, but if you know of any other more preferred, I would appreciate it.
I didn't really care for Z1Rs... I have the Ether C flows that are okay, could be better. I am quite happy with my A18t so not looking for another iem
Could someone who has experience with both Stellia and HD820 comment on what they prefer and why? I've narrowed down to those two, but if you know of any other more preferred, I would appreciate it.
Mm...fixed that, sorry. It works for some tracks but not in all and it seems to work better than the AK preset and locked EQ in the AK 380 cu.
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