Solitaire T with A&K Kann Ultra 🆚 A&K SP3000M

[FlatListener]

I own the T+A Solitaire T and a very old FiiO X5 1st gen. Yesterday I had the pleasure of auditioning the Kann Ultra and SP3000M. Without knowing the retail prices, I clearly favoured the Kann Ultra above the SP3000M. The SP3000M sounded very good, clean and accurate. But also a little audacious or ambitious, like the pupil in class that knows all the answers and shows off those skills. Then on the other hand the Kann Ultra was like the teacher, not utterly impatient to prove the skills, but much more easy going and making everything sound so much easier, seemingly still having a lot of reserve performance in store. Listening to Ed Sheeran’s Perfect, the voice sounded more powerful on the Kann Ultra, yet very controlled, inviting to keep listening.

Both DAPs provide a whole new level of musicality compared to the FiiO X5, bringing the solitaire T to a higher level. And it’s not only the voices that come out more powerful and clear, it’s also the bass, which I didn’t even know the solitaire T has it.

Then when I heard the MSRP of both units, 2600 for the SP3000M and 1800 for the Kann Ultra, I was surprised. The salesman explained to me that the KannUltra has more power. I didn’t really push the volume levels into the hearing damage red zone, I believe it was between 65~70. And the Solitaire T - as far as I know - isn’t such a difficult HP to drive. So I was surprised by the outcome.

After changing the stock cable 4.4mm to a HQ €500 cable 4.4mm, the Kann Ultra still retained what I heard before, performing with such apparent ease, but now with the new cable the music sounded much wider, as if I suddenly moved a lot closer to the band playing.

Big downside is the size and weight, but that is not the most important.

Anyway, I would really appreciate your opinions, especially but not only from those who are familiar with these A&K DAPs. Do you recognise my findings? Anything you’d like to share?

Also, I would be interested in hearing other suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Blanchot]

I own both the SP3000 and the Solitaire T, but I rarely use them in combination. There's something about the the tuning of the SP3K that doesn't go well with the Solitaire T, although I don't really know how to describe it.

I much prefer the DX260 with ST in wired mode. Should add that I mostly listen to classical. The DX260 is a very clean sounding DAP that matches the neutrality of the Solitaire T.

 

[FlatListener]

Thanks!

Although I appreciate the ST’s neutrality, I do like what the Kann ultra does with the deep bass: more present, more solid and still making it sound so easy.

I rarely listen classical music on my ST, use my amp/speakers for that. The ST i use mostly for pop, rock, classic rock, folk, etc. Besides ed Sheeran it’s Yes, billie eilish, fleetwood mac, van Morrison, pink Floyd, and more recent music such as the new linkin park

 

[FlatListener]

I made a mistake in my OP. My OP initially suggested I auditioned the SP3000, but it was the SP3000M.
OP updated.