Astell&Kern SP3000M Digital Audio Player

Astell&Kern SP3000M Digital Audio Player

 

The Astell&Kern SP3000M Digital Audio Player delivers unmatched audio performance in a smaller, more portable design. Building on the success of the SP3000, the SP3000M introduces Astell&Kern’s revolutionary HEXA audio circuit, which separates digital and analogue signals for crystal-clear sound with an impressive 130dB SNR. With four AK4499EX DACs and TERATON ALPHA technology, the SP3000M offers pure, lag-free audio and optimal power management, ensuring the closest possible reproduction of original sound.

This compact yet powerful player uses a Snapdragon 6125 Octa-core processor and 8GB of DDR4 memory to provide fast, smooth performance and responsive navigation. The SP3000M also features Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) technology, which enhances your music with upsampled sound for even more vivid, analog-like detail.

Designed with premium materials, the SP3000M is encased in a soft, anti-bacterial leather case from GRUPPO MASTROTTO, adding an elegant touch. With a VU Meter GUI for musical immersion and an innovative, tension-driven design, the SP3000M is the perfect blend of cutting-edge technology and sophisticated aesthetics—bringing high-end, portable audio into the palm of your hand. 

 

What Astell&Kern say about the SP3000M

The A&ultima series continues to present advanced and innovative technology and the standard of perfect sound. We renewed our commitment to this goal and began to delve deep into the concept of true portability with unrivalled performance and unmatched sound performance.

The process was not easy; we had to overcome numerous unending challenges in keeping the perfect sound performance on par with SP3000 while reducing the device’s size. We began the development of an audio device that is smaller and lighter, while still delivering perfect sound. After dozens of changes were made to the circuit, we finally present you with the SP3000M.

The innovative Hexa audio structure separates digital and analogue signal processing and independent dual audio circuit for unrivalled audio performance SP3000M offers all these features in its lighter, compact design allowing you to enjoy incredibly vivid sounds you will not experience anywhere else.

A true Hi-Fi portable audio player with the best audio performance and equally sophisticated design, the SP3000M offers all of this in the palm of your hand.

 

Features

• HEXA Audio Circuit – Separates digital and analogue signals for pure, lag-free sound
• Superior Sound – Uses four AK4499EX DACs with 130 dB SNR
• TERATON ALPHA – Ensures near-perfect sound reproduction
• Snapdragon 6125 CPU – Octa-core processor with 8GB memory for fast performance
• Compact Design – Smaller and lighter, maintaining premium sound quality

 

Separation of Digital and Analogue Signals

The Astell&Kern SP3000M features the same advanced HEXA audio circuit design as the SP3000, despite being more compact. It incorporates four AK4499EX DACs and two AK4191EQ chips to separately process digital and analogue signals, reducing noise and delivering vivid, crystal-clear sound with no lag. This structure, which separates digital and analogue signals, ensures unmatched audio clarity with an industry-leading 130 dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), providing pristine sound quality while maintaining convenient portability.

 

Silver Plated Shield Can

The SP3000M features a shield can to block noise and electromagnetic interference, enhanced with high-purity silver to further separate digital and analogue signals for improved performance.

 

Audio playback Just Like the Original Sound

The SP3000M uses Astell&Kern's TERATON ALPHA technology to deliver audio playback as close to the original sound as possible, with effective power noise removal, efficient power management, and precise amplification.

 

SP300M

The "M" in SP3000M represents the diverse features we offer in the player.

1. Mini - Smaller in size than SP3000
2. Mobility - Even better portability
3. Maximum - The product with the best audio performance
4. Mania - A product for those with a passion for the vivid sounds that SP3000M provides
5. Mate - A companion with you anywhere at anytime
6. Moment - Adding sentiment to life's mundane moments

 

SP3000M vs SP3000

	SP3000M	SP3000
CPU	Qualcomm 6125 Octa-Core	Qualcomm 6125 Octa-Core
DAC	AK4191EQ x2 & AK4499 x4	AK4191EQ x2 & AK4499 x4
Display	4.1" 720 x 1280	5.5" 1080 x 1920
DAR	Support (384kHz / DSD64)	Support (384kHz / DSD256)
Audio Output	3.5mm, 4.4mm	2.5mm, 3.5mm(SPDIF), 4.4mm
SNR	130dB	130dB
THD+N	0.0003% @ 1kHz	0.0004% @ 1kHz
Battery	4,200mAh (about 10hrs)	5,050mAh (about 10hrs)
Material	Aluminum	Stanless Steel 904L
Weight	237g	493g
Wheel LED	X	O

 

Stunning Audio Performance with Independent Dual Audio Circuits

In order to create a truly innovative DAP, not just a great DAP, we tried to overcome the limitations of sound by envisioning an independent dual audio circuit that has never been attempted by anyone featuring a HEXA structure with unbalanced and balanced outputs.

Almost all other DAPs, including Astell&Kern, use an internal DAC for both unbalanced and balanced outputs. Since the signal from the DAC is divided into unbalanced and balanced then delivered to the AMP, an Audio Switch is essential. However, when using a switch, there is a limit to the range that can receive the signal sent by the DAC, so most DAPs reduce the signal size first and then when the signal is transmitted back to the amplifier, it is necessary to restore the original signal size. This causes a limitation in improving the audio performance.

To overcome the limitations, our engineers designed a HEXA structure using two AK4191EQs and four AK4499EXs, creating an innovative unbalanced and balanced independent dual audio circuit design. As a result, the SP3000M achieves a SNR of 130dB, the best of any DAP available. You can feel the clean, pure delicacy of sound with the SP3000M that you can't experience in any other DAP.

 

TERATON ALPHA, The Essence of A&K Audio Technologies Merged Into the SP3000M

In order to develop the ultimate audio player that has never been experienced before, not only do we use the latest DAC and technology available, but we use the innovative audio technology of TERATON ALPHA, AK's Ultimate Sound Solution.

TERATON ALPHA, engineered through endless research, is Astell&Kern's unique technology that has been designed to produce audio playback that is close to the original sound through effective power noise removal, efficient power management and unwavering amplification, and a fully converted audio output interface. HEXA-Audio Circuitry structure and independent dual audio circuit implemented to the SP3000 was completed with TERATON ALPHA's sound solution, to create the purest original sound, and was inherited to the SP3000M.

 

Drive Your Music, Latest Snapdragon Octa-Core CPU

A&ultima SP3000M is equipped with a Snapdragon 6125 Octa-core processor, so you can enjoy the overwhelming sound, with faster system response and a redesigned generation user interface that moves comfortably and smoothly.

Featuring a high-performance CPU and improved 8GB of DDR4 memory, which is twice the amount commonly used in other digital audio players, the more powerful system is stable with fast and fluid movement.

The CPU, memory and wireless communication parts are configured as one module, with the digital circuit parts arranged in the same area creating a single system on a chip (SoC). This maximizes the efficiency of the overall circuit configuration by providing more dedicated audio-only circuit space as well as reducing heat and noise from digital circuits.

 

VU Meter GUI for complete musical immersion

SP3000M comes with a VU Meter GUI, which debuted on the SP3000T and was well-received by consumers for an even more immersive experience. The VU Meter, an iconic piece of audio equipment with a long-standing history, displays voltage levels of voice signals to aid volume measurement and adjustment. Beyond its utilitarian function, the VU Meter's unique design and retro charm help to enhance the immersive music-listening experience.

Conveniently accessible via the bottom navigation bar, the VU Meter on the SP3000M allows you to monitor sound levels while viewing album art or streaming via our Open App Service.

 

Digital Audio Remaster Technology for Even More Vivid Original Sound

The SP3000M is equipped with Digital Audio Remaster(DAR) technology, which was developed to deliver fine sound at higher sample rates. DAR technology is developed to upsample the sample rate of the sound source being played to go beyond the limits of the source format. The high sample rate allows more refined play and offers delicate and analogue-like original sound, helping you to enjoy the richness of the original sound, subtle differences in the nuance of the music and rich sounds at a higher level.

 

Premium Leather Case

The SP3000M’s bundle case is crafted from soft cowhide by GRUPPO MASTROTTO, boasting a superior level of craftsmanship that befits the A&ultima SP3000M. The leather case features a soft touch and has undergone a proprietary patented "anti-bacterial" and "anti-virus" process.

Using chrome tanning and dyeing with high-quality pigments, the leather maintains a uniform surface quality and showcases the distinctive vibrant colours characteristic of Italian leather. The rear pattern of the case expresses the same pattern as the SP3000M, providing a perfect sense of unity.

GRUPPO MASTROTTO is a leather specialist manufacturer that continues a tradition of over 60 years since the Mastrotto family established 'Conceria Mastrotto' in Arzignano, Italy, in 1958. With more than 2,200 employees worldwide, they produce high-quality leather through 18 rigorous processes across 15 factories. They are one of Italy's most authoritative groups in the leather industry.

 

Design

The design concept of SP3000M is “Tension.”

While keeping the diamond-shaped front of SP3000, we added new features to emphasize it as one of our flagship models. The design of SP3000M was inspired by a diamond ring’s diamond and its prong. Like the dramatic melodies of music, we added tension to the alignment of the volume knob and protector. The volume wheel knob meets the protector at the top and bottom ends, creating an image of the wheel being held with tight tension. We also placed triangular shapes growing smaller toward the wheel, maximizing a sense of tension focusing on the wheel.

The design of SP3000M brings a rhythmic tension from its edges and guides your focus to the volume wheel knob. Other design details include the cross patterns etched on the glass surface at the back. Reminiscent of the SP3000’s design, it also adds SP3000M’s unique concept of “Tension” in the two patterns meeting at the corners.

 

Specification

• Model: SP3000M
• Body Colour: Black
• Body Material: Aluminum
• Display: 4.1" 720 x 1280 HD touch screen
• Supported Audio Formats: WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAX, ALAX, AIFF, DFF, DSF
• Sample Rate:
  • PCM: 8kHz ~ 768kHz (8/16/24/32bits per sample)
  • DSD: DSD64 (1bit 2.8MHz), DSD128 (1bit 5.6MHz), DSD256 (1bit 11.2MHz), DSD512 (1bit, 22.4MHz)
• Output Level: Unbalances 3.3Vrms | Balanced 6.3Vrms (condition no load)
• CPU: Octa-Core
• DAC: AKM AK4191EQ x2 & AK4499EX x4
• Decoding: Support up to 32bit / 768kHz
• Input: USB Type-C input (for charging & PC/MAC)
• Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz)
• Bluetooth: V5.0 (A2DP, AVRCP, Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, LDAC, LHDC)
• Dimensions: 2.72” (69.1mm)[W] x 4.70” (119.6mm)[H] x 0.74” (18.8mm)[D]
• Weight: Aluminum about 8.36oz (237g)
• Feature Enhancements: Firmware upgrade supported (OTA)
• Operating Temperature: 0℃ ~ + 40℃ (32℉~ 104℉)
• Frequency Response:
  • ±0.020dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalanced │ ±0.025dB (Condition : 20Hz~20kHz) Balanced
  • ±0.032dB (Condition : 20Hz~70kHz) Unbalanced │ ±0.025dB (Condition : 20Hz~70kHz) Balanced
• S/N: 126dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ 130dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
• Crosstalk: -140dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ -144dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
• THD+N: 0.0005% @ 1kHz, Unbalanced │ 0.0003% @ 1kHz, Balanced
• IMD SMPTE: 0.0004% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) Unbalanced │Balanced
• Output Impedance: Unbalanced Out 3.5mm (0.6ohm) │ Balanced Out 4.4mm(1.2ohm)
• Clock Jitter: 25pS (Typ)
• Reference Clock Jitter: 200 Femto Seconds
• Built-in Memory: 256GB [NAND]
• External Memory: microSD x1 (Max. 1.5TB)
• Battery Capacity: 4,200mAh 3.8V Li-Polymer
• Charge Time: about 3.5hours (QC3.0 Charging)
• Playback Time: about 10hours (Standard : FLAC, 16bit, 44.1kHz, Vol.80, LCD Off)
• Supported OS: Windows 10,11(32/64bit) MAC OS X 10.7

 

About Astell&Kern

Astell&Kern is the ultimate digital music source that brings you Mastering Quality Sound or MQS. Astell means ‘Stars’ in Latin and Kern means ‘Center’ in German. We believe Astell&Kern is the center of music.

Today, original music performances can be captured in digital almost exactly as they were performed due to new, advanced recording technology currently available. However, these high quality recordings are mainly listened to through inferior sound formats, such as MP3 or through streaming services. With the debut of the MP3 format, music lovers sacrificed sound quality for the convenience of being able to carry their music collection wherever they went. Because the MP3 format heavily compresses files for the sake of convenience, the vocals and instruments you hear are only an inferior version of the original. The soundstage and the ambience of the original performance often disappears when listening to compressed MP3 music. After pondering these issues, Astell&Kern was our solution to poor sound quality for the sake of portability, and our way in reviving the original sound quality of music, MQS, for music artists, recording engineers, and professionals.

Astell&Kern's pursuit is to provide natural and original sound without distortion. It showcases the presence of the original recording with miniscule details you may not have noticed from other music systems, while playing back high-resolution music bit by bit, exactly as it was recorded. The ability to play back the exact recording of any live performance is what Astell&Kern is known for.

The power of true sound from Astell&Kern can now be experienced and has been part of many famous audio exhibitions around the world. Astell&Kern is now admired by music lovers from many countries, including the USA, China, Japan, UK, France, and many more around the world.