I did some comparisons of the Elite vs sp1000 (without amp) to make it more fair.
This comparison reminds me of what ive done in the past comparing the dx312 vs sp1000M.
Still the Elite sounds bit less open, with less contrast between low and high end. It just isnt as clean and spacious.
The sp1000 sounds bit fuller on the low end, bit more analogue and warm, with better layering and more textures.
The mids also differ. The sp1000 sounds bit smoother, yet cleaner and more open, where the Elite is more dense but blends with the rest of instruments in the background (which isnt a con, just different).
The dynamics are very very similar but due to the more contrasty and cleaner sound of the sp1000, the AK seems more punchy and lively.
The trebles is where the things become very interesting.
The sp1000 has more pronounced and cleaner trebles but they are more realistic and separated from the rest of the frequency.
The Elite has warmer trebles, which blend with mids more but they arent as separated and lively.
The stage is wider on the sp1000 but the Elite still has an incredible soundstage width and depth.
The sp1000 sounds like youre listening to the music live but you sit in a producer's console at the same time, hard to describe.
The Elite generates a more general view of the recording, where evrything blends together more but in a very pleasant and musical way.
So overall, the sp1000 is still more insightful, natural, insanely detailed and more emotional, like there is no veil on the sound at all.
The Elite is close, with fantastic dynamics, musicality, staging and holography but adds a bit of a veil which can be seen as a plus.