Astell&Kern SP3000T silver

Astell&Kern SP3000T: The Ultimate Audiophile Player

Astell&Kern, the undisputed leader in the high-end audiophile player market, once again pushes the boundaries with its latest flagship model: the SP3000T. A true technological marvel, this player brilliantly combines the warmth of analog sound with digital precision.

The SP3000T indeed integrates two miniature RAYTHEON JAN6418 vacuum tubes, carefully selected for their soft and warm sound favored by audiophiles. These tubes bring the distinctive sound signature of tube amplifiers, all while maintaining a compact format suitable for a portable player.

Dual Mono Audio Circuit

The major innovation of the SP3000T lies in its dual mono audio architecture, which completely separates the processing of digital and analog signals. Each channel is handled by a dedicated AK4499EX digital-to-analog converter and an AK4191EQ digital converter. This unique design, called “Hexa Audio Circuitry,” significantly reduces interference and background noise while preserving maximum resolution.

The SP3000T leverages the in-house TERATON ALPHA technology, which combines efficient power management, uncompromising amplification, and a completely redesigned audio output interface. Thanks to this exclusive expertise, the player achieves an exceptional signal-to-noise ratio of 130 dB and an extended dynamic range, ensuring unparalleled transparency and realism in sound reproduction.

Raytheon Vacuum Tubes

The major novelty of the SP3000T is the integration of two miniature Raytheon JAN6418 military-grade vacuum tubes. These vintage NOS (New Old Stock) tubes, meticulously sorted and paired, bring that touch of warmth and musicality inherent to vacuum tube technology. Their low noise and high linearity guarantee a natural and balanced rendering across the entire spectrum.

To fully exploit the potential of the tubes, Astell&Kern has developed a triple amplification system called “Triple AMP.” It offers three distinct operating modes:

• Tube AMP: pure tube amplification for a sound signature rich in harmonics and micro-details
• OP AMP: transistor amplification offering dynamism, speed, and control
• Hybrid AMP: a subtle blend of tubes and transistors for the best of both worlds

Additionally, the SP3000T features three voltage levels for the tube current (Tube Current) to finely adjust their operating point and achieve the desired rendering, from the softest to the most incisive. A needle VU meter displays the left and right channel levels in real-time, for visual pleasure and volume control mastery.

Complete Connectivity

On the connectivity side, the SP3000T leaves nothing to chance. It is equipped with a 2.5 mm and 4.4 mm balanced output as well as a 3.5 mm unbalanced output. Each can be configured in line-out mode to connect to an external amplifier or hi-fi system. The headphone output boasts generous power to easily drive most models on the market, from in-ear monitors to circumaural headphones.

The SP3000T natively handles PCM files up to 32-bit / 768 kHz as well as DSD512. It supports lossless formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF) and compressed formats (MP3, AAC, OGG) as well as MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) for high-resolution streaming. Equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, it is compatible with LDAC and aptX HD codecs for CD-quality or higher wireless transmission.

Thanks to the built-in Wi-Fi, the SP3000T interfaces with streaming services (Qobuz, Tidal, Apple Music, Spotify) and other third-party applications via the Open APP system. It is also Roon Ready compatible for seamless integration into a multiroom audio network. The BT Sink function allows it to receive audio streams from a smartphone or computer and benefit from the high-end DAC/amp section of the player.

Design and Construction

The SP3000T features a chassis made of 99.9% pure silver-plated 316L stainless steel. This noble material, renowned for its excellent electrical conductivity and shielding properties, enhances the audio performance of the device. The casing has been meticulously treated with a special multi-layer coating to prevent oxidation and ensure increased durability. The sleek lines and the volume knob inspired by luxury watchmaking showcase the craftsmanship and attention to detail.

The 5.46-inch Full HD touchscreen offers a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels for smooth and intuitive navigation within the 4th generation user interface, named Crimson. Beneath its elegant silver exterior, the SP3000T houses a powerful octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 6125 processor supported by 8 GB of DDR4 RAM. This robust hardware configuration ensures flawless responsiveness, reduced loading times, and great fluidity of use.

Advantages of the Astell&Kern SP3000T Player

• Dual mono audio circuit with separate AK4499EX and AK4191EQ DACs per channel
• Triple amplification (Tube, OP, Hybrid) with military-grade Raytheon JAN6418 tubes
• 99.9% pure silver-plated stainless steel chassis with anti-oxidation treatment
• Octa-core Snapdragon 6125 processor and 8 GB of RAM for optimal performance
• Native DSD512 and PCM 32/768 compatibility, MQA, Roon Ready
• Bluetooth 5.0 LDAC and aptX HD, Wi-Fi, streaming, Open APP, USB DAC

Technical Specifications

Display and Processing

• 14 cm Full HD touchscreen (1080 × 1920 pixels)
• Octa-Core processor
• Triple amplification: normal, tube, hybrid
• Vacuum tube: RAYTHEON JAN6418 × 2

Audio

• Supported formats: WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF, MQA
• Digital-to-Analog Converter:
  • AKM AK4191 × 2 (dual modulator)
  • AKM AK4499EX × 2 (dual digital-to-analog converter)
• Decoding: up to 32-bit / 768 kHz, bit-to-bit playback
• Sampling rate:
  • PCM: 8 kHz to 768 kHz (8/16/24/32 bits)
  • Native DSD: DSD64 (2.8 MHz), DSD128 (5.6 MHz), DSD256 (11.2 MHz), DSD512 (22.4 MHz)

Storage and Compatibility

• Internal storage: 256 GB
• Expansion: microSD up to 1.5 TB
• Compatible systems: Windows 7, 8, 10 (32/64-bit), macOS X 10.7

Audio Performance

• Output level:
  • Unbalanced: 3.3 Vrms
  • Balanced: 6.3 Vrms (no load)
• Frequency response (20 Hz - 20 kHz):
  • Unbalanced: ± 0.005 dB
  • Balanced: ± 0.003 dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio at 1 kHz:
  • Unbalanced: 120 dB
  • Balanced: 124 dB
• Total harmonic distortion + noise at 1 kHz (THD+N):
  • Unbalanced: 0.0005%
  • Balanced: 0.0004%

Connectivity

• USB Type-C (charging, PC, Mac)
• Outputs:
  • Unbalanced (3.5 mm)
  • Optical (3.5 mm)
  • Balanced (2.5 mm 4-pole, 4.4 mm 5-pole)
• Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5 GHz)
• Bluetooth: V5.0 (aptX HD, LDAC, LHDC)

Battery

• Type: lithium-polymer 5050 mAh, 3.8 V
• Charging: approximately 3.5 hours (QC3.0 fast charging)
• Battery life: approximately 10 hours (FLAC, 16-bit, 44.1 kHz)

Physical Characteristics

• Dimensions: 84.7 × 141.5 × 18 mm
• Weight: 483 g
• Casing: stainless steel, pure silver plating
• Color: silver
• Operating temperature: 0 °C to +40 °C