Astell&Kern (A&K) has launched a new version of its flagship portable digital audio player, the A&Ultima SP3000M, which is not only more portable but also more affordable than its predecessor. Weighing 46% less than the A&Ultima SP3000, the SP3000M offers a similar set of features at a lower price point of $2,299, compared to the SP3000’s $3,699. The SP3000M is set to be released in November.
While some compromises have been made to achieve the smaller size and lower cost of the SP3000M, audiophiles can rest assured that the internal architecture remains unchanged. The touchscreen has been scaled down to 4.1 inches with a resolution of 720 x 1280, compared to the SP3000’s 5.46-inch screen with a 1080 x 1920 resolution. Additionally, the SP3000M has one less output option, removing the 2.5mm balanced output present in the SP3000.
The SP3000M offers aluminum finish options only, eliminating the choice of exotic materials like copper, gold, or platinum-coated stainless steel.
The SP3000M retains the same audio circuit design of the SP3000, utilizing four AK4499EX DACs and two AK4191EQ chips to keep digital and analog signals separate for improved audio quality and a 130-decibel signal-to-noise ratio.
The SP3000M features independent dual audio circuits for its unbalanced and balanced outputs, offering a superior listening experience compared to players with shared DACs for both outputs.
Powered by a Snapdragon 6125 Octa-core processor and 8GB of DDR4 memory, the SP3000M boasts a redesigned user interface for enhanced performance.
Additional features of the SP3000M include 256GB of internal memory, support for microSD cards up to 1.5TB, Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, and native playback of hi-res audio formats up to 32-bit, 768kHz.
The package includes a soft cowhide case treated with an antibacterial and antivirus process.
