Astell&Kern SP3000M Black Digital Audio Player

This item is available for pre-order, with an ETA of late-November.

Compact Size, Limitless Sound

The A&ultima series continues to push the boundaries of advanced technology and perfect sound, setting a new standard for audio excellence. We have renewed our commitment to this goal, focusing on true portability with unrivaled performance and unmatched sound quality.

The journey to achieve this was not easy; we faced numerous challenges in maintaining the perfect sound performance of the SP3000 while reducing the device's size. After extensive development and dozens of circuit modifications, we are proud to present the SP3000M—a smaller, lighter audio device that still delivers perfect sound.

Featuring an innovative Hexa audio structure, the SP3000M separates digital and analog signal processing with an independent dual audio circuit, providing unparalleled audio performance. This compact and lighter design allows you to enjoy incredibly vivid sound, unlike anything you have experienced before.

A true Hi-Fi portable audio player, the SP3000M combines the best audio performance with a sophisticated design, all fitting comfortably in the palm of your hand.

The “M" in SP3000M represents the diverse features that we offer in the player.

Mini: Smaller in size than SP3000
Mobility: Even better portability
Maximum: The product with the best audio performance
Mania: A product for those with a passion for the vivid sounds that SP3000M provides
Mate: A companion with you anywhere and at any time
Moment: Adding sentiment to life's mundane moments

Complete Separation of Digital and Analog Signals in a HEXA Structure
We equipped the SP3000M with the same innovative Hexa audio circuit design first found in the SP3000, that has four of AKM’s flagship AK4499EX DACs and two separate AK4191EQ chips that handle digital signals. Thanks to this technology, you can enjoy amazingly vivid sounds only Astell&Kern can create.

Most digital players process digital and analog signals together inside the DAC. However, the SP3000’s advanced HEXA structure reduces the noise of the digital signal input through the AK4191EQ, a separate digital delta-sigma modulator, and the AK4499EX DAC is then designed to process the analog signals separately.
With such an unparalleled design, SP3000M physically separates digital and analog signals, completely boasting the perfect A&ultima sounds through the unmatched 130 dB SNR, equal to the SP3000, despite its much smaller size.

Stunning Audio Performance with Independent Dual Audio Circuits
In order to create a truly innovative DAP, not just a great DAP, we tried to overcome the limitations of sound by envisioning an independent dual audio circuit that has never been attempted by anyone featuring a HEXA structure with unbalanced and balanced outputs.

Almost all other DAPs, including Astell&Kern, use an internal DAC for both unbalanced and balanced outputs. Since the signal from the DAC is divided into unbalanced and balanced then delivered to the AMP, an Audio Switch is essential. However, when using a switch, there is a limit to the range that can receive the signal sent by the DAC, so most DAPs reduce the signal size first and then when the signal is transmitted back to the amplifier, it is necessary to restore the original signal size. This causes a limitation in improving the audio performance.

To overcome the limitations, our engineers designed a HEXA structure using two AK4191EQs and four AK4499EXs, creating an innovative unbalanced and balanced independent dual audio circuit design. As a result, the SP3000M achieves a SNR of 130dB, the best of any DAP available. You can feel the clean, pure delicacy of sound with the SP3000M that you cannot not experience in any other DAP.

Silver Plated Shield Can
A shield can is applied to prevent various noise and electromagnetic interference from affecting the audio block.
The SP3000M takes it a step further to achieve excellent audio performance and perfect shielding by applying highly conductive, high-purity silver on the existing shield can, and physically separating digital and analog signals.

TERATON ALPHA –
The Essence of A&K Audio Technologies Merged Into the SP3000M

In order to develop the ultimate audio player that has never been experienced before, not only do we use the latest DAC and technology available, but we use the innovative audio technology of TERATON ALPHA, AK's Ultimate Sound Solution.

TERATON ALPHA, engineered through endless research, is Astell&Kern's unique technology that has been designed to produce audio playback that is close to the original sound through