Any news about a A&K SP 3000 coming ? Isn't it time for an upgrade to the SP 2000 ?
Astell&Kern new flagship A&Ultima SP2000
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I believe it was a 2 year cycle between the SP1000 and SP2000, the SP2000 has been out for just over one year. Maybe they’ll release an M variant soon? Although I’d be surprised if they do since the 4499 DAC chips are very power hungry.
Yes, that could happen when others make one that sounds better... Until now... NoppppProgress
We are typically on a two-year product line refresh cycle. The SP2000 was announced in May 2019 at the High-End Munich Show and was not available until late September/early October 2019. With COVID, all of our product launches for 2020 were delayed. Currently there is no info on if or when a possible replacement for the SP2000 may be announced or released.
Well, maybe the sp3000 then? I can equally appreciate the concept of being happy with what's best today, and longing for something even better. I currently opt for the former, but I can totally relate to folks in the latter camp.
Green Golden Retriver
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Good that would mean the preown price of sp2000 would be much lower after the sp3000 launches.
Folks who want the sp2000 but have budget concern would finally be able to access the sp2000 at more affordable prices.
same as when the sp2000 launch Sp1000 price drop and a few of my friend bought the sp1000.
Folks who want the sp2000 but have budget concern would finally be able to access the sp2000 at more affordable prices.
same as when the sp2000 launch Sp1000 price drop and a few of my friend bought the sp1000.
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I'm not sure if this has been reported before, but the eq on the SP2000 appears to be totally broken. FWIW, I'm using the latest firmware (1.26CM). Here's a quick demonstration of the problem. A 5 dB boost at 4 kHz with three different Q values. Q=sqrt(2) should give a spread of roughly one octave, like this:
Here are the measurements taken with the SP2000's eq with the same 5 dB @ 4kHz boost using the same three Q values:
This is just wrong. Unless you have your own measuring equipment and a very narrow-band peak/trough that falls exactly on one of their fixed-band center frequencies, the SP2K's eq is essentially useless.
I've found the SP2000 to be a pretty stable device, but one thing I'll say about FiiO's firmware bugs - they do eventually get fixed. I reported a bug in AK Connect directly to A&K more than a year ago and nothing's ever been done to fix it: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/astell-kern-new-flagship-a-ultima-sp2000.906255/post-15420114
It looks like this particular eq problem may even pre-date the SP2000:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/astell-kern-ak300-does-not-have-a-parametric-equalizer.816519/
So the odds of A&K fixing this anytime in the next several years are probably zero, but I wanted to put this information out there for the record, because the current eq on this device is basically worthless.
P.S. Those ripples you see in the low frequencies are also an artifact of the SP2K's eq - they don't occur when the eq is off.
Here are the measurements taken with the SP2000's eq with the same 5 dB @ 4kHz boost using the same three Q values:
This is just wrong. Unless you have your own measuring equipment and a very narrow-band peak/trough that falls exactly on one of their fixed-band center frequencies, the SP2K's eq is essentially useless.
I've found the SP2000 to be a pretty stable device, but one thing I'll say about FiiO's firmware bugs - they do eventually get fixed. I reported a bug in AK Connect directly to A&K more than a year ago and nothing's ever been done to fix it: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/astell-kern-new-flagship-a-ultima-sp2000.906255/post-15420114
It looks like this particular eq problem may even pre-date the SP2000:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/astell-kern-ak300-does-not-have-a-parametric-equalizer.816519/
So the odds of A&K fixing this anytime in the next several years are probably zero, but I wanted to put this information out there for the record, because the current eq on this device is basically worthless.
P.S. Those ripples you see in the low frequencies are also an artifact of the SP2K's eq - they don't occur when the eq is off.
Last edited:
arftech
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Anybody using Hart Audio Cables with their player?
PortableAudioLover
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korvin12
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Did you manage to audition it before buying? How does it compared to SS, CU & the Onyx Black version? Interested to know your thoughts.
Unlike the SP1000M Gold which was brass with gold plating, the SP2000 Vegas Gold and the Onyx Black are both Stainless Steel bodies.
PortableAudioLover
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Sonic signature wise, I feel Vegas gold is more analytical than copper where it's more warm and smooth. I demo'd in headphonebar located in Vancouver back in September and determined that I must get one
Kiats
Headphoneus Supremus
congrats on your purchase. I suspect that now that AK has unlocked the choices of DAC filters, you will be able to tweak a bit the sonic signature that suits you and your IEM best. Yes, the copper is likely the most analogue and organic of the entire range of SP2000s. Which is why I am also an admirer of the SE200 and the Kann Alpha because of the different ESS DAC.
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