[AxelCloris]

Use direct forum function on the bottom "upload a file". One of my favorite forum features

Just please don't post massive photos full-size in the thread. Thumbnails are your friend.

 

[bflat]

Yes! I am one the owner of 380 who consider doing that

There are objective, factual reasons to upgrade. If you value any or all of the following, then SP1000 would be an upgrade for you:

• Faster UI
• Larger screen
• About 2 hrs longer battery life
• USB-C charge and data rate (high speed data only in Windows due to AFT for Mac)
• OTG support for external drives
• Nearly 2x power in balanced mode
• The SP1000 is rectangular and doesn't look like a Picasso painting

One more potential benefit would be if you use the AK3xx amp. Depending on your headphones, you may get comparable sound with the SP1000 without the need to carry around an external amp. I say "potential" because the AK3xx amp still has more power than the SP1000 so you would definitely need to audition to make sure.

If none of the above applies to you and you are happy with your headphones and AK380, I personally would not upgrade a one generation improvement and wait for another cycle or 2.

 

[Whitigir]

There are objective, factual reasons to upgrade. If you value any or all of the following, then SP1000 would be an upgrade for you:

• Faster UI
• Larger screen
• About 2 hrs longer battery life
• USB-C charge and data rate (high speed data only in Windows due to AFT for Mac)
• OTG support for external drives
• Nearly 2x power in balanced mode
• The SP1000 is rectangular and doesn't look like a Picasso painting

One more potential benefit would be if you use the AK3xx amp. Depending on your headphones, you may get comparable sound with the SP1000 without the need to carry around an external amp. I say "potential" because the AK3xx amp still has more power than the SP1000 so you would definitely need to audition to make sure.

If none of the above applies to you and you are happy with your headphones and AK380, I personally would not upgrade a one generation improvement and wait for another cycle or 2.

You forgot upgradatis as a reason, as long as the performances is a side grade or an upgrade, this is another reason

 

[bmichels]

Our team is currently testing various products out. Will report when we have some more info

If this can be helpful, I tested the battery life when playing from my external USB SSD Samsung T3 - 500Gb ( $ 190 ) :

6h45 playing from the USB SSD instead of 10h playing from internal memory (with no USB storage attached), with the exact PCM play list.







So we can conclude that the USB SSD power consumption is 1/2 of the SP1000, and therefore it reduce by 1/3 the battery life. This is quite a battery life drop but still less than I expected.



Next step could be to do the same test with a 500 Gb SD card used with a USB-C card reader. I guess power consumption will be less... I hope. I just need to put my hand on a 500gb SD card. Anyone... ?



and also to test other mini USB SSD

 

[harmonix]

There are objective, factual reasons to upgrade. If you value any or all of the following, then SP1000 would be an upgrade for you:

• Faster UI
• Larger screen
• About 2 hrs longer battery life
• USB-C charge and data rate (high speed data only in Windows due to AFT for Mac)
• OTG support for external drives
• Nearly 2x power in balanced mode
• The SP1000 is rectangular and doesn't look like a Picasso painting

One more potential benefit would be if you use the AK3xx amp. Depending on your headphones, you may get comparable sound with the SP1000 without the need to carry around an external amp. I say "potential" because the AK3xx amp still has more power than the SP1000 so you would definitely need to audition to make sure.

If none of the above applies to you and you are happy with your headphones and AK380, I personally would not upgrade a one generation improvement and wait for another cycle or 2.

Actually I would forego all features if the sq was better and the sq is better than the 380 by a mile. It's the first ak that I am tempted to purchase.

Though I wish the fit and finish was better around the volume/control wheel... Seems flimsy I'm concerned this is going to be a major servicing /maintenance point later. Also wish they would finally go away from 2.5mm TRRS. If nothing but just on durability basis - all sq discussions aside.

 

[bflat]

Actually I would forego all features if the sq was better and the sq is better than the 380 by a mile. It's the first ak that I am tempted to purchase.

Though I wish the fit and finish was better around the volume/control wheel... Seems flimsy I'm concerned this is going to be a major servicing /maintenance point later. Also wish they would finally go away from 2.5mm TRRS. If nothing but just on durability basis - all sq discussions aside.

In terms of SQ, that is a subjective opinion. Even your statement "by a mile" is open for debate. However, I personally would not say the SP1000 is ahead of AK380 "by a mile so" I would advise you to wait for another generation because $3500 is a lot of dollars only to be have one's expectations fall short.

 

[harmonix]

In terms of SQ, that is a subjective opinion. Even your statement "by a mile" is open for debate. However, I personally would not say the SP1000 is ahead of AK380 "by a mile so" I would advise you to wait for another generation because $3500 is a lot of dollars only to be have one's expectations fall short.

Yeah.. I agree. However my opinion is my opinion and that I do not think will change at this point. All the AK before this fell short in SQ but the sp1000 now puts it into my short list.

The only issue I have at this point is not sq but:

a) The sightly disappointing volume wheel to chassis fit/finish which worries me a bit with its extra amount of play and the axle seems quite thin and flimsy. I'm worried a drop would damage/snap it.

b) The 2.5mm TRRS I wish could be like Sony's 4.4mm or even 3.5mm but I guess I could live with it. Just need to be extra careful of not snapping the thing.

 

[LouisArmstrong]

The SP1000Cu is a clear step up from the AK380Cu. The difference between SS and Cu this time is not as prominent but still the Cu gets my nod for being warmer yet retaining the superb details and extension. Simply the best.

 

[Samuel777]

The SP1000Cu is a clear step up from the AK380Cu. The difference between SS and Cu this time is not as prominent but still the Cu gets my nod for being warmer yet retaining the superb details and extension. Simply the best.

Congratulations ! and welcome to the club Man!!!

 

[raypin]

Mm...please post tarnishing after a few days. I think it was mentioned before that the new cu is tarnish-proof (sort of a laminate). TIA.

 

[Samuel777]

Mm...please post tarnishing after a few days. I think it was mentioned before that the new cu is tarnish-proof (sort of a laminate). TIA.

Sure and the tarnishing will start with the leather cover. I really love my SS version ... and nothing will make me think again about any AK copper version until they found a definitive solution against oxydation / tarnishing....

 

[mcgino]

I spent the day auditioning the two at the hong kong hi fi faire. Ended up going with the copper. Seemed a better match with my Roxanne customs.

 

[tambox]

I am using the below combination and cannot have the music files read from the external drive, can some shed a light pls?

My card is Kingmax pro 32G via a USB card reader before entering the Apple USB c digital av multiport.

Thanks.

 

[musicday]

I want to see DSD 512 playback added with new firmware update.

 

[Malevolent]

Anyone tried the v1.04 yet?

No change on my end. Sound is pretty much still the same.. which was what I expected, to be frank.