A&ultima SP3000M

Introduction

This site has always been about the search for the ultimate two-channel HiFi, be it digital or analogue, headphone or loudspeaker, portable or fireside. Having been very close to an end game with the Kudos Audio Sigao Drive active and then hearing the Martin Logan electrostatic loudspeakers, I realise the journey will never end!

Or will it? On the portable side, is this the end game? The A&ultima SP3000M is smaller than my smartphone, delivers crystal-clear audio, and is extremely flexible on the streaming services side.

Design

This Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000M (to give it its full name) is a modern-day all-feature connected portable audio player. It is based on and is the successor to Astell & Kern’s flagship SP3000 portable device. The SP3000M music player has four AK4499EX DACs and two separate AK4191EQ chips that handle digital signals. A Snapdragon 6125 Octa-core processor manages the system interface, making the user experience “stable with fast and fluid movement.” The SP3000M uses an internal shield to prevent noise and electromagnetic interference from affecting the audio block.

The A&ultima SP3000M has an unbalanced 3.5mm output and a balanced 4.4mm output. The balanced output offers better signal-to-noise stats and a purer signal. Internal storage is 256GB, and a single microSD slot supports 1.5TB.

The A&ultima SP3000M is packed with Astell&Kern’s technological heritage, and its design theme is Tension. This Tension reflects Astell&Kern’s desire to offer intense audio delivery and an aesthetically desirable slab of electronics to rival any smartphone, digital player, or desktop player on the planet.

This technology includes TERATON ALPHA Sound Solution, their proprietary audio technology, and the complete separation of both digital and analogue paths in their HEXA structure. There is a precision Qualcomm Snapdragon 6125 CPU, as well as the aforementioned quad-chip DAC structure. Finally, to dot the I’s and cross the T’s, there are analogue sensitivity VU Meters!

Quality

This SP3000M device is a really beautiful thing to hold.  Angular, without the leather cover the aluminium body is called “rich grey”, a dark colour that appears black. The volume control on the side top right is very intuitive (if you are right-handed) and you are able to turn off the volume warnings if you need to.

The SP3000M’s bundle case is crafted from soft touch cowhide by leather specialist GRUPPO MASTROTTO, ‘boasting a superior level of craftsmanship that befits the A&ultima SP3000M’.

Specification, In The Box and Price

Performance

Review Equipment

I’ve been listening to the SP3000M with various in-ear monitors, including the Meze Audio ADVAR, the balanced FiiO FA19 IEMs and the Meze Audio 109 Pro open-backed headphones.

Physically

…this SP3000M feels flagship

The Astell & Kern SP3000M is a delight to use. The word flagship can be overused, but this SP3000M feels flagship. The key to this edition is that it is light in the hand and the pocket, and the dimensions are smaller than those of my Pixel 8 Pro! I believe you would prefer the leather case as it takes the edge off the device in your pocket and makes the grip firmer. Otherwise, it is a bit like holding a bar of soap, as are most smartphones.

The screen is small, not a big deal, but if your eyesight is a bit ropey or if your fingers are fat, typing in WiFi/Qobuz passwords, etc, is a tricky exercise. The device is Android based so it is very intuitive.

You can download your streaming providers, including Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, etc. The device is Roon Ready, though I am unable to review this option.

The battery seems solid enough to last a full day and has always lasted well. I’ve charged the internal battery from 5% to 100% in three hours, which is impressive.

DSD

I have an Astell&Kern DSD Sampler on my micro-SD drive (I had no idea), which provides an interesting point of reference.  DSD is so crystal clear; my only problem is the music I really understand is rarely available on DSD.  Still, Tchaikovsky’s symphonies on the sample sound electric, and the reproduction in the 109s is something to behold.

Tethering & BT Sink

…connection to my Pixel 8 Pro was excellent on the move

WiFi connectivity in the house has been faultless and very simple to set up. You’d use this to download albums or Playlists for on-the-go listening (or at least I have). On the move, there is the option of tethering the A&K to a WiFi hotspot. I’ve had limited connectivity success with this, but it works.

However, BT Sink is the alternative way of synchronising on the move, say to a smartphone using Bluetooth. You can use LDAC (currently the best codec) if your smartphone has it (Apple doesn’t at the time of writing). Other codecs include Qualcomm AptX HD).  Mine has LDAC, and the connection to my Pixel 8 Pro was excellent on the move; you use the smartphone to play music to the SP3000M with the LDAC codec, and it is a neat solution.  My only problem was getting sidetracked from the music to podcasts, but it is effective. This is a strange compromise, in my view. You’re buying this SP30000M for its wired quality rather than the Bluetooth features, but I guess it has use, as I have indicated.

Desktop DAC

This desktop DAC option is a real tick in the box and is another compelling reason to move for the SP3000M

I did not realise until near the end of the review period that you can use the SP3000M as a desktop DAC by selecting USB Input in the settings.  Using the USB C input, the reproduction is excellent, challenging the Mojo 2 easily. The ADVARs open up nicely, as they do with the Chord Mojo 2. This desktop DAC option is a real tick in the box and is another compelling reason to move for the SP3000M. In the Windows Qobuz App, the A&K comes up as AK Audio, and if you go ‘Exclusive’, the A&K does all the work. The same is the case with Tidal.

AK Connect

Also, in the settings is an option called AK Connect.  This is where things get really fun on a WiFi network. With this option, you can swap your library from that on the device to a networked attached storage device (NAS). Using my pretty old and dodgy Naim UnitiServe, I was able to access my CD collection on the A&K, which is really great, and it sounded very good indeed in the ADVARs.  You can also download NAS files onto the A&K if you have a particularly rare copy on there.

With AK Connect, you can also connect to networked loudspeakers (or another device) if you have them using DLNA.  I have done this with a pair of Focal DIVA UTOPIAs (yes, really, the following review), and the result is spectacular!

You can do all of the above with the A&ultima SP3000M using Roon.

DAC Filters

In the settings, there are six DAC filters in total and an EQ, where four levels appear to refer to their in-ear monitor brands (Aura, Odyssey, etc.). Further, there is DAR, a digital audio remaster option that samples the music received to either up to DSD64 or 32-bit PCM through the quad DACs. There is also a crossfeed function in here with three options. All of these DAC tweaks are fun, but the novelty wears off for me. However, I have, happily settled on some preferred settings.

Meze Audio 109 Pro

…the 109s are open, crisp, articulate, and the credit goes to the SP3000M for offering this in such a compact unit

On the desktop, the 109s sound delightful with the SP3000M in DAC Mode. There’s not much difference in using a microSD copy of Radiohead’s OKNOTOK (24-bit, 96kHz) on the SP3000M versus the Qobuz equivalent on the desktop player with the Mojo 2 when listening to, say, Subterranean Homesick Alien. Either way, the 109s are open, crisp, and articulate, and the credit goes to the SP3000M for offering this in such a compact unit.

FiiO FA19

I’m using these in the balanced configuration; you can switch from 3.5mm to 4.4mm Pentaconn connectors with these IEMs, which facilitates access to a purer sound that the Astell & Kern SP3000M can offer. I have found the FA19s to be an excellent partner with the 3000M, and I have settled on them for reviewing and walking. They are pretty analytical and offer excellent resolution.  They are still a bit livelier than the ADVAR, but I don’t mind this with the music I listen to.

I’ve found the size of the storage space to be plentiful in this device; I’ve been able to download many of my own Qobuz Playlists; it’s a bit like having my old 64GB iPod back, except I now have 256GB in the A&ultima SP3000M.

Meze Audio ADVAR

The ADVARs on the move have slightly less weight in my head stage and sound lighter in comparison, but no worse for this.  I prefer the FiiO FA19s, but the ADVARs are excellent, detailed, crisp and open.

Thoughts

The A&ultima SP3000M reminds me of the excitement that came with the iPod all those years ago. With tons of storage space, a micro-SD slot, and so many streaming options, this is the device to sacrifice the smartphone’s convenience for audio quality. If you cannot bear to be without your smartphone, get an Android and stream to it with the LDAC codec.

The desktop DAC input is a real plus point, and I am surprised A&K doesn’t mention this much in the documentation. Though I may prefer the Mojo 2 on the desktop, there is nothing in it; this A&K has the advantage of its portability and, as such, makes a compelling argument for the incremental cost.

Similarly, AK Connect is a real bonus (as would Roon be if I had it).

My only complaint about this A&ultima SP3000M is that I just wish it had a phone SIM card slot and WhatsApp! Then, I could abandon my smartphone and that social media trash!

Overall

This is the compact portable audiophile endgame.

A high-quality, portable audio device with crystal precise audio delivery and an outstanding desktop DAC. This is the compact portable audiophile endgame.