Features

Overview: The Astell&Kern SP3000 (PPF41) portable high-resolution music player is the latest model in the flagship A&ultima series of digital audio players. It it the world's first digital audio player (DAP) that completely separates the digital and analog signal processing. The SP3000 also has Dual Audio Circuitry with independent balanced and unbalanced circuits. These new innovations deliver stunning audio performance in a portable audio player. The SP3000 is equipped with a 5.46" Full HD touchscreen display, plus built-in dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with Qualcomm aptX HD. The device comes with a genuine leather travel case and protective film for the screen.

Design and Construction:  The Astell&Kern SP3000 is constructed of polished 904L Stainless Steel, which has never been used before in a portable audio player. 904L Stainless Steel is extremely durable and resistant to corrosion, and will not lose its beauty. It is used in expensive luxury watches, including Rolex. The SP3000's body concept is designed to gather light and wrap it around the finely machined volume wheel. The body measures 3-1/4" wide, 5-1/2" high, and 3/4" deep, and weighs 17.4 ounces.

User Interface: The SP3000 has a 5.46" Full HD (1080 x 1920) touchscreen color display with a newly-designed user interface that provides a more enjoyable listening experience. You can quickly browse through music categories with simple, intuitive touchscreen gestures. All music download services are designated with their easily recognized logos. A new search feature using album art makes it easy and fun to choose your next music selection. The black and red theme colors are easier on the eyes, saves battery power, and reduces the generation of heat.

Teraton Alpha: Teraton Alpha is Astell&Kern's Ultimate Sound Solution which produces audio playback that is close to the sound to the artist's intent. Using A&K's patented technologies, Teraton Alpha effectively removes power noise, efficiently manages power, and amplifies the signal with minimal distortion. Teraton Alpha is the reason the SP3000 sounds cleaner and more accurate than digital audio players without it.

Octa-Core CPU: The SP3000 is equipped with the high-performance Qualcomm Snapdragon 6125 Octa-core processor for outstanding response and performance. The CPU features faster system response, speedy file transfers, lag-free processing, and a new intuitive user interface for the best player experience. The SP3000 now has 8 GB of DDR4 memory, twice the amount of previous models, to help the processor work more smoothly and efficiently.

Separate Signal Processing: The SP3000 is the world's first DAP with complete separation of Digital and Analog Signals. A&K has developed the HEXA-Audio Circuitry Structure to provide the best possible sound for each signal. For the analog signal, the SP3000 uses four of the newest and best DACs from Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM), the AK4499EX. Two AK4191EQs for filtering out noise from the digital signal, and a separate digital Delta-Sigma (ΔΣ) modulator, are used for processing the digital signal. The audio outputs are separated into balanced (2.5mm/4.4mm) and unbalanced (3.5mm) audio jacks. The result of the separately processed signals is phenomenal sound with an unprecedented high SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) of 130dB (balanced) and 126dB (unbalanced). To protect the circuitry from noise and electromagnetic interference, the SP3000 utilizes a silver-plated shield can.

DAC Filters: You can choose from six DAC filters provided by AKM, the DAC manufacturer:

Compatible Audio Files: The SP3000 supports the following audio file formats - WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF, & MQA.

• PCM Sample Rate: 8kHz - 768kHz (8/16/24/32 bits per sample)
• DSD Native: DSD64 (1-bit/2.8MHz - Stereo), DSD128 (1-bit/5.6MHz - Stereo), DSD256 (1-bit/11.2MHz - Stereo), and DSD512 (1-bit/22.4MHz - Stereo)
• MQA: 44.1 - 384kHz (24-bit)

MQA (Mastering Quality Authenticated): The Astell&Kern SP3000 natively supports MQA, which is the closest quality to the original sound intended by a recording artist. Mastering Quality Authenticated (MQA) is a collective of lossless and high-resolution audio source formats that typically come encoded with 24-bit, 44.1 - 384kHz of bit/sampling rates. Since MQA delivers significantly more detail than a conventional CD (16bit/44.1kHz), listeners can enjoy a more realistic music experience.

Roon Ready: The SP3000 is certified as Roon Ready, allowing you to use Roon technology to pull together digital music from different sources and play it at the highest level of quality.

Digital Audio Remaster (DAR): The SP3000 is equipped with Digital Audio Remaster (DAR) technology to deliver better sound for files with lower sample rates. DAR technology upsamples the sample rate of the sound source to higher rates for more refined playback. When the PCM option is selected, 44.1kHz PCM is converted to 352.8kHz, 48kHz PCM is converted to 384kHz, but no conversion is applied to DSD files. If the DSD option is selected, PCM files lower than 96kHz are converted to DSD128, PCM files over 96kHz are converted to DSD256, and DSD files below DSD256 are converted to DSD256. The DAR function can be turned on or off, as desired.

Crossfeed: The Crossfeed feature makes listening to headphones sound more like you're listening to speakers. Because headphones clearly separate the left and right channels, prolonged listening can cause ear fatigue. Crossfeed mixes part of the original signal from one channel and sends it to the opposite channel with a time difference to help center the sound image, similar to listening to speakers. You get the same crisp, detailed sound with Crossfeed, but the mixed signal is more comfortable to listen to. Crossfeed offers adjustments such as Shelf Cutoff, Shelf Gain, and Mixer Level to help you set the sound to your listening preferences. Crossfeed is available only for PCM 8-192kHz (8/16/24-bit).

ReplayGain: If you're tired of constantly having to adjust the volume because of the difference in levels from track to track, the ReplayGain can smooth them out. The loudness levels of Albums, Playlists, or Folders can be calibrated to the same relative level. ReplayGain can be used only on 24-bit / 192kHz or lower music files.

20-band Parametric EQ: The SP3000 features a 20-band EQ with ±0.1dB adjustments, plus variable gain and Q values. You can set the EQ curve by simply "drawing" the curve on the touchscreen. The EQ frequency bands include: 30Hz, 45Hz, 60Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz, 180Hz, 250Hz, 380Hz, 500Hz, 750Hz, 1kHz, 1.5kHz, 2kHz, 3kHz, 4kHz, 6kHz, 8kHz, 12kHz, 14kHz, and 18kHz. You can adjust the gain from -5dB to +5dB in 0.1dB increments, and the Q from 0.1 to 4.0dB in 0.1dB increments. You can create and save up to 20 User EQs, which can be shared with other SP3000 users.

USB DAC: You can use the SP3000 as an external USB DAC which supports Native DSD playback. The SP3000 delivers much better sounding audio than your computer's built-in sound card. Connect the unit via USB from your computer and listen to your stored digital music with headphones, powered speakers, or home stereo. A dedicated driver is required to use the SP3000 as a USB DAC. The device is compatible with the following computer operating systems and audio formats:

• Computer OS: Windows 8, 10 (32-/64-bit versions) and Mac OS X 10.7-up.
• Audio Formats: PCM (8 - 384 kHz (8/16/24/32-bit) and DSD (2.8/5.6/11.2 MHz).

Balanced/Unbalanced Outputs: The Astell&Kern SP3000 offers two balanced (L+/L-/R+/R-) outputs and one unbalanced output (L+/R+/GND) on the top of the device. Balanced outputs have an additional "cold" signal to compliment the hot signal, which reduces external noise and increases output. The balanced outputs include a 4-pole 2.5mm port (1.7 ohm) and a 5-pole 4.4mm (1.6 ohm) port. The unbalanced output is a 3.5mm (0.7 ohm) analog stereo output that doubles as an optical (mini) output. Music can be played back on a S/PIDF-capable external device via an optical cable (not included).

Digital Storage: The SP3000 has a 256 GB (NAND) internal storage can hold hundreds of CDs and thousands of FLAC files. For additional storage, the device has a microSD card slot to let you add even more. The unit will accept microSD cards up to 1 TB.

USB-C: The SP3000 has a USB-C port on the bottom of the unit for connecting the unit to your computer for downloading music files and for charging the battery. USB Type-C support allows faster file transfer speeds and supports both data transfer and charging from the same cable. USB 3.0 protocol transfers data twice as fast when compared to non-USB-C players. The SP3000 is compatible with Windows 8 and 10 (32 and 64-bit), as well as Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) or later.

Dual Band Wi-Fi: The SP3000 features built-in dual band Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n/ac - 2.4 or 5 GHz), allowing you to connect the device and your computer to the same network for streaming and downloading music. The device's 3-dimensional antenna design improves Wi-Fi reception and provides faster speeds for better music streaming and firmware updates.

Bluetooth 5.0 w/ aptX HD: The SP3000 also has built-in Bluetooth V5.0 with A2DP/AVRCP support for connecting a Bluetooth device to listen to music wirelessly. Qualcomm's aptX HD allows audio to be wirelessly streamed in significantly higher quality than over standard Bluetooth. The aptX HD codec supports 24-bit music quality over Bluetooth, so you'll hear fine details in your music, with more extensive dynamic range, deeper bass, and crystal-clear top end. The player also supports LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs.

LED Light: The SP3000 features an LED light behind the Power/Volume button that indicates information about the music currently playing. During playback, the LED glows red to indicate 16-bit, green for 24-bit, blue for 32-bit, and purple to indicated DSD playback.

Rechargeable Battery: The SP3000 is equipped with a built-in rechargeable Lithium-Polymer battery (5050mAh / 3.8V). The battery charges in about 5 hours via USB-C in normal mode (with a 5V / 2A charging adapter). You can also fast-charge the device in about 3.5 hours (with a 9V / 1.67A charger). A QC 3.0 charger at 5V / 2A, 9V / 1.67A, or 12V / 1.5A is recommended. No USB charging adapter is included with the product. A fully charged battery can provide up to approximately 11 hours of continuous playback time (based on FLAC, 16-bit, 44.1 kHz, Unbalanced, Volume 50, EQ Off, OP Amp).

Leather Case: The A&K SP3000 comes with a protective goatskin leather case to protect the fine 904L stainless steel body. The case is made by ALRAN, one of the world's leading tanneries, which is located in the Tarn region in southern France. An optional high-quality black vegetable leather case is available for purchase.

Protective Film: The unit includes a protective film to keep the touchscreen and the rear panel scratch-free.

Specifications: