Astell&Kern SP3000 player review (and SP2000 comparison)
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- Опубликовано: 26 июн 2024
- Finally, A&K released an updated version of their flagship A&ultima. In this extensive review, I'm figuring out what did they change and what it gives to the user
Official site: www.astellnkern.com/product/p...
0:00 - Introduction
3:22 - Unboxing and accessories
7:44 - Design and controls
13:23 - Firmware
20:14 - Sound
32:21 - Comparisons and pairings
Tracks, mentioned in the review
Louis Armstrong - Rock My Soul
Metallica - Loverman
Queen - Don't Stop Me Now
Robert Plant - Darkness, Darkness
Miles Davis - Black Satin
King Crimson - Cadence and Cascade
Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b... 
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By the way, we have a small but cozy English-speaking chat in Telegram, so if you want to discuss something, or ask me something directly, welcome to t.me/PortaFi_Chat_En
Very nice video, thanks for taking the time to do it!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for review.
Great video. I do like the A&K sound signature. It was only last year that A&k grew from the company that I had my earliest DAPs from, iRiver!
I even remember the times when iRivers were the source of heavy DIY modding with replacing DAC/amp section :)
BEST DAP I ever have. huge improvement from 2000T
sure, it's a good step forward from 2000T
@cesarfalconer7715 I think SP2KT was designed to be inferior to SP2K )))
Hello. So what Over-ear you could recommend to use with this product? Up to what Ohm?
It's totally a matter of preferences here. For example, I really enjoy it with Meze 109, but there are lots of other options. Like HiFiMan planars, Focal offering, etc. If you want to push it to the maximum, Meze's Empyrrean and Elite are a great options to consider.
It has a decent driving power, so it will drive vast majority of headphones without problems (from the balanced out), just avoid super power hungry ones like Susvara or Abyss.
I prefer this sound signature over the SP2000.
sure, as well as some other people too :)
@cesarfalconer7715 well, lot of people share your opinion, and lot of people like 3K more
Love the AKM chip
Hello Pavlo.
The SP3000 is warmer than the SP2000? I heard it was brighter. I haven’t heard it yet. I have the SP2000 and I like the sound but if this is darker then I will have to consider the SP3000. Please let me know. Thank you and Best Regards from Italy 🇮🇹
Hello, looks like we've already discussed that in the chat! :)
@@PortaFi yes sir. Thanks for having me there and answering 🙏🏼
great content how woul this compare to an android phoen with hi res file on throught the same headphone ?
it's a maximum difference in sound quality. SP3000 more natural, more refined, exquisite, dynamic, etc.
but not everyone needs this level of quality, and there are many players with lower price and still a great sound quality
How much Keyboard Layouts does it have under Keyboard? Does it have german "QWERTZ"?
I don't remember exact list (it's present in manual), but german was listed as supported both for localisation and keyboard layout
Great video. What is your personal preference between sp3000 vs Cayin N8ii
just from these two, probably SP3000, but both aren't strictly "my choice"
best dap ever
yes it is for many people
How does this sound compared to the iFi Gryphon DAC/amp?
much better, more balanced, nuanced, refined, etc.
I’m wondering if the hiby rs8 is a better dap
I wish I know… ))) But it's unlikely that I'll get it in some near future
Hello! I hesitate between this one and the Sony nw wm1zm2 . I think the Sony has a better look, that's why. What do you think? At this moment, I have the SP2000T with the Clear MG and the Celestee. I think i'll buy the Utopia . But it's very difficult to choose between these two DAPS.
Unfortunately, I didn't test this Sony and don't know how it sound. But if you like the sound of SP2000T, then it'll be logical to go for SP3000, it has A&K's signature coloration
@@PortaFi Thank you so much!
Hi sir if compare SP3000 & SP2000 whis is better sound quality tks
Hello, as I've said in video, I like sound of SP2000 more and it sounds more exquisite for me. But there are opposite opinions too
How would you compare sp3000 to new Se300 ?
I didn't test SE300 unfortunately
Hi sir Tks you for yr reply I never notice that you have said the SP 2000 sound more exquisite Ok so you mean the SP2000 Vegas gold a stainless Steel right. I think I will buy the SP2000 becoz another RUclipsr also said SP2000 sound much more better. Tks Sir
Hello, sir. One bad thing here is that SP2000 is outdated regarding firmware and hardware. It doesn't have pentaconn, doesn't support LDAC, and streaming support can be limited. If you want it as an "offline only" player for files, it's not an issue.
Are you planning to review/compare it with Hiby RS8.
no, I don't plan that, SP3000 was a loaner unit I returned, as for RS8 - not sure if I'll get it
793mW not bad.
Can you do comparison between sony signature walkmangold zm2 and ak sp 3000, there is no video on youtube on that and both of these are costly.
Unfortunately, local distributor of Sony isn't interested in Sony's DAPs (except the cheapest ones), so they don't import them, and I can't get a loan
So far it seems like sound wise the SP2000 is still king, unfortunately the software is slowwww. I have the FiiO M17 and it’s great all around but could have been better if they added more ram and a higher version of Android. I’m hoping someone brings out something better than both of those Flagships. So far in 2023 things don’t seem to be as good sound wise, just better firmware like the SP3000
In terms of sound I like SP2000, but to be honest, I use M17 even more, and IMO Android 10 is more then enough for it so far
@@PortaFi Android 10 is ok, but when you’re spending over $2500 Canadian we should be getting at least Android 12 minimum. I use the M17 as well, but for the most part I use it as my main source in my vehicle as it works perfectly
@@CarAudioHorizons honestly, I don't see any difference in getting Android 10 or 12 on DAP
@@PortaFi I should have added more RAM as well but on a DAP it should be a little quicker.
@@CarAudioHorizons not criticizing just legit question, when the OS is locked down, customized/reskinned and apps are closed garden, does it really matter what version of Android it is at that point, what can a better version offer? Personally at that point I’d just care about performance.
This or Cayin n8ii ?
It's a matter of your taste. I prefer Cayin a bit more, but both aren't 100% fitting my tastes
@@PortaFi I’m really worried of people comment that Cayin is too bright, but I have been liking it for a long time now, I have an offer for $2000 , I can’t decide if I should get it or not even considered hugo 2 but still not clear which would be best, I like color in music that is why I liked hiby 6 pro and Cayin has hiby player in it but not the mseb on general settings like hiby does, also I have offer on hiby r8 for $1200 but not much reviews on that on youtube
@@geeva99 I'm not that treble sensitive, so for me, Cayin N8ii wasn't too bright, but everyone has a different experience. And it's mostly a matter of earphones
@@geeva99 anyway, making a few thousand dollars purchase requires some listening first of all
@@PortaFi thanks for advice, I think I will hold this until I travel to europe where I can test few players, no where I can find these player in Tanzania even Africa I don’t think I can find