Introducing the Astell&Kern A&ultima SP2000T
Aug 5, 2021 at 10:04 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 455
Joined
Jul 5, 2017
Posts
3,060
Likes
4,210
Location
US/South Korea
SP2000T_email.jpg

Highlights of the SP2000T Include:

  • New Triple Amp system for a more customized listening experience, including Astell&Kern’s first player with tube amplifier
  • Astell&Kern’s first Quad-DAC player
  • Dual-Band Wi-Fi, MQA, LDAC and Replay Gain
  • 3.5mm, 2.5mm and 4.4mm outputs provide more connection options
Astell&Kern, a global leader in portable, high-resolution players and accessories, announces the newest player in the A&ultima flagship line, the SP2000T.

The A&ultima SP2000T takes inspiration from Astell&Kern’s current flagship, the SP2000 by building upon many of the premium features of the SP2000 and adding new features never before seen in other Astell&Kern players. New features debuting for the first time in the portable player line include Astell&Kern’s first Quad-DAC player, a new triple amp system and replay gain.

The SP2000T is Astell&Kern’s first quad-DAC player, featuring four (4) ESS ES9068AS DAC chips, allowing the player to produce a more balanced, detailed sound signature. MQA hardware rendering is built into the ES9068AS DACs and support MQA 8x rendering.

Another first, the SP2000T introduces Astell&Kern’s next generation amp technology, the Triple Amp System. Users can select between tube amp mode, normal op-amp mode or the new hybrid amp mode that uses both the tube and op-amps to provide the best sound output for the type of music you are listening to. All three modes are available when using the 2.5mm, 3.5mm or 4.4mm outputs.

Rounding out the new features of the SP2000T is Replay Gain, which allows the player to automatically adjust the volume between tracks and maintain a consistent playback level. A full HD (1920x1080 resolution) touch screen provides a high-resolution display.

The A&ultima SP2000T will be available at authorized Astell&Kern dealers worldwide in October 2021. More information and detailed specs will be available soon.




 
Astell&Kern Stay updated on Astell&Kern at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/astellnkern/ https://twitter.com/astell_kern https://www.instagram.com/astellnkern.official/ https://astellnkern.com astellnkern@astellnkern.com
Aug 5, 2021 at 10:11 PM Post #2 of 455
What kind of tube amp? Korg nutubes I presume? Doesn’t look like the footprint can fit in subminiature tubes.
 
Aug 5, 2021 at 10:39 PM Post #3 of 455
SP2000T_email.jpg

Highlights of the SP2000T Include:

  • New Triple Amp system for a more customized listening experience, including Astell&Kern’s first player with tube amplifier
  • Astell&Kern’s first Quad-DAC player
  • Dual-Band Wi-Fi, MQA, LDAC and Replay Gain
  • 3.5mm, 2.5mm and 4.4mm outputs provide more connection options
Astell&Kern, a global leader in portable, high-resolution players and accessories, announces the newest player in the A&ultima flagship line, the SP2000T.

The A&ultima SP2000T takes inspiration from Astell&Kern’s current flagship, the SP2000 by building upon many of the premium features of the SP2000 and adding new features never before seen in other Astell&Kern players. New features debuting for the first time in the portable player line include Astell&Kern’s first Quad-DAC player, a new triple amp system and replay gain.

The SP2000T is Astell&Kern’s first quad-DAC player, featuring four (4) ESS ES9068AS DAC chips, allowing the player to produce a more balanced, detailed sound signature. MQA hardware rendering is built into the ES9068AS DACs and support MQA 8x rendering.

Another first, the SP2000T introduces Astell&Kern’s next generation amp technology, the Triple Amp System. Users can select between tube amp mode, normal op-amp mode or the new hybrid amp mode that uses both the tube and op-amps to provide the best sound output for the type of music you are listening to. All three modes are available when using the 2.5mm, 3.5mm or 4.4mm outputs.

Rounding out the new features of the SP2000T is Replay Gain, which allows the player to automatically adjust the volume between tracks and maintain a consistent playback level. A full HD (1920x1080 resolution) touch screen provides a high-resolution display.

The A&ultima SP2000T will be available at authorized Astell&Kern dealers worldwide in October 2021. More information and detailed specs will be available soon.




Hi Jason,

Will there be a demo unit at the Hong Kong Hi end AV show this weekend?
 
Aug 5, 2021 at 10:41 PM Post #4 of 455
Will there be a demo unit at the Hong Kong Hi end AV show this weekend?
Yes, it is making it's debut at the show this weekend. I know the firmware is a very early version, so not sure how buggy the demo units may be and the firmware definitely is not optimized yet for the player.
 
Astell&Kern Stay updated on Astell&Kern at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/astellnkern/ https://twitter.com/astell_kern https://www.instagram.com/astellnkern.official/ https://astellnkern.com astellnkern@astellnkern.com
Aug 5, 2021 at 11:35 PM Post #9 of 455
Any information on the dimensions and weight? I'm a bit spoiled by the portability of the SP1000m.
It will only be available in aluminum, not copper or stainless steel, so less than the SP2000. I believe it is around 10 oz. Still waiting on final specs.
 
Astell&Kern Stay updated on Astell&Kern at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/astellnkern/ https://twitter.com/astell_kern https://www.instagram.com/astellnkern.official/ https://astellnkern.com astellnkern@astellnkern.com
Aug 5, 2021 at 11:38 PM Post #11 of 455
Any information on the dimensions and weight? I'm a bit spoiled by the portability of the SP1000m.
It looks to be taller than sp2000 with the potruded top housing but lighter than sp2000 since it is aluminium body and not stainless steel or copper.
 
Aug 5, 2021 at 11:53 PM Post #12 of 455
Pricing is still being finalized, but under $3,000.
I clicked through the email announcement on this, and yeah, well below $3k :beyersmile:
Screen Shot 2021-08-06 at 1.50.58 pm.png
 
Aug 5, 2021 at 11:56 PM Post #13 of 455
Yes, it is making it's debut at the show this weekend. I know the firmware is a very early version, so not sure how buggy the demo units may be and the firmware definitely is not optimized yet for the player.
Do you know what Android version will underpin the firmware? Will it be similar as recent models like SR25/Kann Alpha/SE200 etc ?

I'm wondering how future-proof it would be from a 3rd party app perspective..
 
Aug 6, 2021 at 12:01 AM Post #14 of 455
Do you know what Android version will underpin the firmware? Will it be similar as recent models like SR25/Kann Alpha/SE200 etc ?

I'm wondering how future-proof it would be from a 3rd party app perspective..
Not sure. As this has LDAC support, it is running at minimum Android 9. I will update when I have a definite answer.
 
Astell&Kern Stay updated on Astell&Kern at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/astellnkern/ https://twitter.com/astell_kern https://www.instagram.com/astellnkern.official/ https://astellnkern.com astellnkern@astellnkern.com
Aug 6, 2021 at 1:09 AM Post #15 of 455
Quad ES9068AS compared with dual AK4499EQ 🤔🤔🤔

How much output power with balanced? (Higher than SP2000?)
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top