[lemonsz]

Problem is you can't really AB test update changes and in the time it takes for your device to download and restart its easy for the mind to trick itself. Stuff this nuanced really needs quick side by side comparison.

You still can AB them from 2 same devices with different FM side by side. Of course you need to own 2 players in order to do that.

 

[Andrew DiMarcangelo]

Okay, as crazy as it might sound i think i'm hearing a difference between having the case on/off. It's taken me a bit of AB testing to narrow down the differences.

No case: Very clean background, clear and expansive sound. Most analytical. (actually sounds closer to the sp1000 from memory which i demo'd without case).
Stock case: Adds some fullness particularly noticeable as i'm listening to Halie Lorens voice right now, but less expansion and clarity. Slightly closer, more intimate, fuller and smoother sound. Adds to the sense of timbre/musicality
Dignis case: Everything sounds bit bloated and dampened. Not as clean and analytical as caseless.

Now this is curious because i had demo'd the sp1000 without a case and the sp2000 with stock case on. The most noticeable difference i heard between them, analytical vs fuller more organic sound i found to be the changes above. When most reviewers have been reporting minor differences I've been a bit baffled about why i heard a more substantial difference but maybe now i know.
Stock case is my favorite sound, maybe i will try to find another semi open case and just keep the dignis on when travelling.

Btw i'll second aaf evo in saying that when i had the 100ii and even now i've never heard sound changed with AK updates.

Sorry, but this is absurd. Keep in mind your ears/brain evaluate sound with slight differences moment to moment. A case on or off does not affect the sound in any way.

 

[denis1976]

After this fight my personal 3 dap top is
1-AK SP2000CU
2-SONY WM1Z
3-CAYIN N8
this is my personal subjective top based on what I ear

 

[noplsestar]

After this fight my personal 3 dap top is
1-AK SP2000CU
2-SONY WM1Z
3-CAYIN N8
this is my personal subjective top based on what I ear

Can you please elaborate why you prefer the AK to the N8? I have read that especially the NuTube out of the N8 still beats the AK solid state outputs that should be on the same level as the solid state outputs of the N8.
Is the AK more neutral and you like more neutral sound compared to a more romantic sound of the N8?

 

[denis1976]

Hello, the AK is not neutral, at least in the CU version, but I don't know if there is a diference between SS/CU version, the sound is full and big with extreme refinement, the n8 is great but IN MY Opinion lacks the ultimate refinement, it has great power but the AK now has it too, but the highs are more aggressive in solid state and more distorted in vacuum mode, for my ears that make a huge diference maybe other people did not notice that, the AK for me is the best overall Dap in the market

 

[ChrisIsAwesome]

Sorry, but this is absurd. Keep in mind your ears/brain evaluate sound with slight differences moment to moment. A case on or off does not affect the sound in any way.

Absurd?
I'd like to know why you think that.

If you're going to make definitive statements then id expect at least some explanation as to why. The entire body acts as a ground, it's a functional part of the device. Listening SE

 

[Andrew DiMarcangelo]

Chris, I mean no disrespect, but our brains are finicky...we can perceive differences that aren't factually there. Having a case on or off of a DAP will not affect the sound. The SP2000 is build like a tank, the internals are shielded from objects outside of the frame.

 

[Jalo]

Hehehe, we had this discussion with the AK380Cu a few years ago when @LouisArmstrong first mentioned that without the stock case the AK380CU sounded more refined and airy or tighter. I was also hearing similar sound characteristics but the differences seem to diminish somewhat under blind test. There was a lot of argument at that time. To this day I still don't know if that is placebo or true changes but I like to see what Chis can learn under a blind condition.

 

[LouisArmstrong]

Certainly more airy - that’s a fact. Also worked for SP1000. Haven’t tried this with SP2000 yet though.

 

[S Crowther]

Sorry, but this is absurd. Keep in mind your ears/brain evaluate sound with slight differences moment to moment. A case on or off does not affect the sound in any way.

I assure you it does! I have noticed the same thing with SP240 and SP1000 over the years also. There are many posts about it.

 

[ChrisIsAwesome]

Subtle and nuanced change imo.
If cases do affect the grounding then it is very possible.

My second evaluation:
No case: Sound opens up and expands further with greater resolution, clearer separation and better bass response.
Stock case: A little fuller but less resolved, doesn't sound as open, expansive or hyper detailed. Bass loses some 'texture' impact and definition.

 

[arftech]

All, my dealer has been stellar on my behalf addressing the issues I had with my SP1000 and it was much appreciated. They offered to send me a replacement but I decided I wanted to upgrade to the SP2000 CC instead and will hopefully have it by the weekend. The matching amp for for my SP1000 is being returned also since it can't be used with the SP2000. I'm a happy camper!

As an added feature request I would like to see where the SP series can show the bit rate and whether MQA is being toggled when the device is being used as a USB DAC/Amp. That would be cool!

Enjoy The Music!

 

[Sound Eq]

Okay, as crazy as it might sound i think i'm hearing a difference between having the case on/off. It's taken me a bit of AB testing to narrow down the differences.

No case: Very clean background, clear and expansive sound. Most analytical. (actually sounds closer to the sp1000 from memory which i demo'd without case).
Stock case: Adds some fullness particularly noticeable as i'm listening to Halie Lorens voice right now, but less expansion and clarity. Slightly closer, more intimate, fuller and smoother sound. Adds to the sense of timbre/musicality
Dignis case: Everything sounds bit bloated and dampened. Not as clean and analytical as caseless.

Now this is curious because i had demo'd the sp1000 without a case and the sp2000 with stock case on. The most noticeable difference i heard between them, analytical vs fuller more organic sound i found to be the changes above. When most reviewers have been reporting minor differences I've been a bit baffled about why i heard a more substantial difference but maybe now i know.
Stock case is my favorite sound, maybe i will try to find another semi open case and just keep the dignis on when travelling.

Btw i'll second aaf evo in saying that when i had the 100ii and even now i've never heard sound changed with AK updates.

u r not imagining I myself noticed this with my sp2000, i never imagined this could be true but it is

now this leads me to ask will the copper frame get tarnished or get oxidized if i use it with out a case, also with what do u clean the copper frame ?

 

[arstango]

Based on my experience with the SP1000CU after one year of almost everyday usage I can claim the housing has no issues. I'm pretty sure the SP2000 is the same.

 

[arftech]

Based on my experience with the SP1000CU after one year of almost everyday usage I can claim the housing has no issues. I'm pretty sure the SP2000 is the same.

Thank you and now can we lay this to rest?