The new digital player from Astell&Kern transforms high-end into something more portable.

Astell&Kern has released a new version of its flagship portable digital audio player, the A&Ultima SP3000M, which stands out for its increased portability and more affordable price. This model weighs 46% less than its predecessor, the SP3000, and is offered at a considerably lower cost of $2,299 compared to the previous model's $3,699. It will be available starting in November.

To achieve a more compact and affordable device, Astell&Kern made some sacrifices. The size of the touchscreen has been reduced from 5.46 inches to 4.1 inches and features a lower resolution of 720 x 1280, compared to the 1080 x 1920 display of the SP3000. Additionally, one output option has been removed: the SP3000 has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack and two balanced outputs of 2.5mm and 4.4mm, whereas the SP3000M retains only the 3.5mm jack and the 4.4mm output.

Regarding finish options, the new model offers only an aluminum cover, instead of exotic materials like copper, 24-karat gold, or platinum-coated stainless steel. Despite these changes, audio enthusiasts need not worry, as the internal architecture of the device remains largely unchanged.

The SP3000M uses a Hexa audio circuit design, keeping digital and analog processes separate through four AKM AK4499EX DACs and two dedicated AK4191EQ chips for digital signals. This configuration promises to reduce noise in the digital signal input, achieving a signal-to-noise ratio of 130 decibels.

On the other hand, the audio circuits of the SP3000M for balanced and unbalanced outputs are independent, unlike many devices that share the same DAC for both. This avoids the use of an audio switch that could limit sound quality. As for the processor, the SP3000M is equipped with an octa-core Snapdragon 6125, combined with 8GB of DDR4 memory, which enhances the system's stability and responsiveness.

Additional features include a dedicated display for VU meters, 256GB of internal storage, support for microSD cards up to 1.5TB, dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity, and USB DAC functionality for both Mac and Windows devices. Battery life is estimated at 10 hours, complemented by Qualcomm QC 3.0 fast charging, which allows for a full recharge in approximately 3.5 hours. Furthermore, the player comes with a cowhide leather case that has undergone a patented "antibacterial" and "antivirus" process.