Compact size, limitless sound

The A&ultima series continues to present advanced and innovative technology and the standard of perfect sound.
A&K renewed their commitment to this goal and began to delve deep into the concept of true portability with unrivaled performance and unmatched sound performance.

They had to overcome numerous unending challenges in keeping the perfect sound performance on par with SP3000 while reducing the device’s size. So began the development of an audio device that is smaller and lighter, while still delivering perfect sound. After dozens of changes were made to the circuit, they were ready to present the SP3000M.

The innovative Hexa audio structure separates digital and analogue signal processing and independent dual audio circuit for unrivaled audio performance SP3000M offers all these features in its lighter, compact design allowing you to enjoy incredibly vivid sounds you will not experience anywhere else.

A true HiFi portable audio player with the best audio performance and equally sophisticated design, the SP3000M offers all of this in the palm of your hand.

• The successor to the SP3000’s global, top-notch audio performance
• Lightweight and portable, anywhere and at any time
• TERATON ALPHA Sound Solution, the essence of AK’s audio technology
• Complete Separation of Digital and Analog Signals in a HEXA Structure
• Equipped with proven independent dual audio circuits
• High-performance Qualcomm Snapdragon 6125 CPU
• Analogue Sensitivity VU Meter

Complete Separation of Digital and Analogue Signals in a HEXA Structure

The SP3000M is equiped 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 analogue 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 analogue signals separately.

With such an unparalleled design, SP3000M physically separates digital and analogue signals, completely boasting the perfect A&ultima sounds through the unmatched 130 dB SNR, equal to the SP3000, despite its much smaller size.

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.

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 can't experience in any other DAP.

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 effective power noise removal, efficient power management and unwavering amplification, and a fully converted audio output interface. HEXA-Audio Circuitry structure and independent dual audio circuit implemented to the SP3000 was completed with TERATON ALPHA's sound solution, to create the purest original sound, and was inherited to the SP3000M.

Drive Your Music, Latest Snapdragon Octa-Core CPU

A&ultima SP3000M is equipped with a Snapdragon 6125 Octa-core processor, so you can enjoy the overwhelming sound, with faster system response and a redesigned generation user interface that moves comfortably and smoothly.

Featuring a high-performance CPU and improved 8GB of DDR4 memory, which is twice the amount commonly used in other digital audio players, the more powerful system is stable with fast and fluid movement.

The CPU, memory and wireless communication parts are configured as one module, with the digital circuit parts arranged in the same area creating a single system on a chip (SoC). This maximises the efficiency of the overall circuit configuration by providing more dedicated audio-only circuit space as well as reducing heat and noise from digital circuits.

VU Meter GUI for complete musical immersion

SP3000M comes with a VU Meter GUI, which debuted on the SP3000T and was well-received by consumers for an even more immersive experience.
The VU Meter, an iconic piece of audio equipment with a long-standing history, displays voltage levels of voice signals to aid volume measurement and adjustment.
Beyond its utilitarian function, the VU Meter's unique design and retro charm help to enhance the immersive music-listening experience.

Conveniently accessible via the bottom navigation bar, the VU Meter on the SP3000M allows you to monitor sound levels while viewing album art or streaming via our Open App Service.

Digital Audio Remaster Technology for Even More Vivid Original Sound

The SP3000M is equipped with Digital Audio Remaster(DAR) technology, which was developed to deliver fine sound at higher sample rates.
DAR technology is developed to upsample the sample rate of the sound source being played to go beyond the limits of the source format.
The high sample rate allows more refined play and offers delicate and analogue-like original sound, helping you to enjoy the richness of the original sound, subtle differences in the nuance of the music and rich sounds at a higher level.

Streaming and AK Connect Network Play — Designed for Convenience

Astell&Kern's audio players are seamlessly integrated with external streaming apps through the Open App Service. Enjoy high-quality streaming from platforms like Tidal and Apple Music with the unparalleled fidelity of the SP3000M.  With AK Connect, A&K network play feature, you can easily access and play/download music from PCs and devices connected to the same network as the SP3000M in real-time.  Elevate your streaming experience to new heights with Open App Service and AK Connect.

High-Quality Wireless Hi-Fi Sound with BT Sink

BT Sink allows you to connect the SP3000M to external devices such as smartphones and PCs via Bluetooth.  Transmit sound from an external device directly to the SP3000M with just one pairing. Enjoy superior sound quality with support for high-quality codecs such as LDAC and AptX. Elevate your listening experience with seamless wireless connectivity through BT Sink.

Crossfeed, Speaker effect when listening through headphones

In a headphone environment in which the left and right channels are clearly separated, ear fatigue may increase during prolonged listening.  The moment you turn on Crossfeed, the experience of crisp, but comfortable sound begins.

Crossfeed mixes parts of the original signal from one channel and sends that signal to the opposite channel with a time difference to center the sound image.  Through the use of detailed settings such as Shelf Cutoff, Shelf Gain, and Mixer Level, you can set the level of crossfeed according to your listening preferences.

Design

The design concept of SP3000M is “Tension.”  While keeping the diamond-shaped front of SP3000, A&K added new features to emphasise it as one of our flagship models.
The design of SP3000M was inspired by a diamond ring’s diamond and its prong. Like the dramatic melodies of music, we added tension to the alignment of the volume knob and protector. The volume wheel knob meets the protector at the top and bottom ends, creating an image of the wheel being held with tight tension.  We also placed triangular shapes growing smaller toward the wheel, maximising a sense of tension focusing on the wheel.  The design of SP3000M brings a rhythmic tension from its edges and guides your focus to the volume wheel knob. Other design details include the cross patterns etched on the glass surface at the back. Reminiscent of the SP3000’s design, it also adds SP3000M’s unique concept of “Tension” in the two patterns meeting at the corners.