Expanding on its SP3000, Astell&Kern’s SP3000T digital audio player combines the best of its current flagship player with the warm sound of tube amplification. The SP3000T features Astell&Kern’s Triple Amp System, first debuted in 2021 with the SP2000T, which allows users customize their sound profile using tube amplification, a digital op-amp, or hybrid combination of both tube and op-amps. All three modes are available when using the 2.5mm, 3.5mm, or 4.4mm outputs.
- Tube Amp Mode: The SP3000T features dual Raytheon JAN6418 Mil-Spec Vintage Vacuum Tubes. Tube Amp Mode provides a uniquely warm and soothing tone, typically seen with vintage tube amplifiers. While in Tube Mode, users can adjust the current flow to the tubes, allowing nuanced changes in the sound profile.
- Op-Amp Mode: The SP3000T also contains a separate op-amp. This proven op-amp technology was developed over the years for Astell&Kern’s digital audio player lines and has proven time and again to be the culmination of Astell&Kern’s expertise in amp design, delivering extreme clarity, low noise floor, and dynamic sound that Astell&Kern is known for worldwide.
- Hybrid Amp Mode: First debuted in the SP2000T, Hybrid Amp Mode enhances the resolution and clarity of the existing tube amp mode to express more musical detail. This mode, which combines the advantages of retro analog sensibility and high-resolution output, gives you the pleasure of a new tonality, bringing together the best of vacuum tube and op-amp design and technology.
Like the SP3000, the SP3000T uses Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) latest flagship DAC, the AKM AK4499EX, and features a complete separation of digital and analog signals. Most digital players process digital and analog signals together inside the DAC. However, the SP3000 and SP3000T reduce the noise of the digital signal input using the AK4191EQ, a separate digital delta-sigma modulator, and then the AK4499EX DAC processes the analog signals separately.
The SP3000T is equipped with a Snapdragon 6125 Octa-core processor and 8 GB of DDR4 memory, which is twice the amount of RAM commonly used in DAPs. Along with the current Astell&Kern 4th generation Crimson user interface, the player features a more powerful system that is stable with fast and fluid movement.
A stainless steel body, with 99.9% pure silver plating, gives the SP3000T a classic look that fully complements the vintage tube amp used in the player.
The A&ultima SP3000T will be available in May 2024 at authorized Astell&Kern dealers worldwide for $2999.
For more information, visit www.astellnkern.com.
