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Astell & Kern SP1000M
Ultra Portable & Ultra Performance, A&ultima SP1000M
Astell&Kern constantly strives to master the philosophy of delivering original sound.
So far, we believe that the A&ultima SP1000 is the optimal product that produces the
highest-quality audio.
We were not sure whether it was possible to come up with a product that is different from the
SP1000 while delivering the same sound quality,
but we decided to take up the challenge so that more people could experience our products’
fidelity.
There were many trials and tribulations in making the SP1000, our best product, smaller.
We were determined to not compromise sound quality in the process, and we ultimately developed
the second A&ultima product, the SP1000M.
The lightweight and portability of the SP1000M enables the user to enjoy original sound playback
anytime and anywhere.
The A&ultima SP1000M achieves greater portability, without sacrificing the level of performance
found in the original SP1000.
- Octa-Core CPU for Next-Level Performance
- AK4497EQ Dual DAC for Highest Sound Quality
- 4.1 Inch HD Display
- Highest Quality Audio of SP1000
- Portable and Durable Aluminum Body
- DNLA-Based AK Connect App
- Open APP Service
SP1000M
The "M" in SP1000M does not stand for a specific word,
but rather encompasses directions that the product aims to pursue.
- MiniSmaller than the SP1000
- MobilityMore portable.
- MaximumProduces the highest-quality audio.
- ManiaFor users who have a mania for original sound.
- MatePerfect anytime and anywhere.
- MomentListeners are in the present with music.
Using Open APP Service
The Open APP Service enables the user to install specific APK music streaming apps to the
device.
Copy the desired APK into the Open Service folder of the product and install the relevant
App in the Menu-Service of the product.
Open APP
Service
Advanced User Interface
While the A&ultima SP1000M has the same intuitive menu composition as its predecessor, the
SP1000,
its user interface has been improved with the optional Virtual Back Key, which enables users to
control the device more easily and conveniently.
Use the Floating feature to place the Virtual Back Key at a desired location or disable it by simply
dragging it to the middle
of the screen or turning it off from the Settings menu.
Great Performance for the Ultimate Experience
The A&ultima SP1000M is equipped with an octa-core CPU which allows the player to produce the exact musical detail present in the original recording without distortion and provides a quick, lag-free operation. The A&ultima SP1000M features faster booting times, speedy file transfers, lag-free processing and a new intuitive user interface for the ultimate player experience.
Ultimate Sound Quality
The latest AK4497EQ dual-DAC design and the upgraded CPU in the A&ultima SP1000M allows for
accurate
playback of native 32bit/384kHz audio with no compromise on sound quality. The music is played
back,
bit-for-bit, just as the artist and engineer intended for it to be heard.
The A&ultima SP1000M also supports native bit-to-bit DSD playback up to 11.2MHz for the best
sound possible.
32-bit bit-to-bit Playback by the SP1000M
32-bit Playback by Other Products
Next generation USB Type-C support allows file transfer speeds up to 10Gbps and supports both data transfer and charging from the same cable. USB 3.0 protocol transfers data twice as fast when compared to other Astell&Kern players. Charging with a fast charger (at 9V/1.67A) takes only two hours and allows up to 12 hours of continuous playback.
- The maximum 10-hour continuous play is based on 16-bit/44 kHz, FLAC file format, screen off, 75 of volume playback.
- Fast charger (9V/1.67A) and general Charger (5V/2A) are not included in the package.
DESIGN
Inspiration for the design of the SP1000M comes from Iirregularly patterned
natural stones combined with Lapis Lazuli, one of the oldest of all gems,
createsto create the SP1000M's color - Lapis Blue.
Lapis Lazuli, whose history stretches back to 5,000 BC, was a precious gem used
in Mesopotamia and Egypt during ancient times.
The SP1000M's vivid blue represents youth, enthusiasm and power. The darker blue
highlights appear at different angles to add elegance to the A&ultima product.
The dakota leather used in the SP1000M bundle leather case is a premium vegetable leather made from an Italian tanner named 'Ra Perla Azura'.
It's a manufacture of Italian and French origin.
'La Perla Azura' was founded in 1967 and has a long history over 50 years.
It is located in 'Santa Croce sull´Arno' which is only high-end leather
production district in Italy.
The SP1000M Onyx Black case uses Beta leather from NUOVA ALBORA. Beta leather is
a high quality leather which contains a large amount of oil as a whole, strong
resiliency of scratches, and can sense changes with the passage of time.
WATT RECOMMENDS
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Professional Reviews 88/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
96/100
Build Quality
81/100
Features Usability
74/100
Value for Money
85/100
The SP1000M delivers clean, transparent detail with tight bass and composure across everything from hi-res files to streaming. What Hi-Fi? praised its punchy, natural presentation, while Audiophilepure noted the improved signal path and reduced noise. Its compact, premium build makes this a standout portable for serious listeners.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Clean, clear, punchy sound with outstanding detail and natural instrument separation.
Handles a wide range of music and formats with strong control, from delicate classical to dense, aggressive tracks.
Upgraded audio block layout shortens the signal path and reduces noise for better output.
Smaller, lighter chassis makes it more pocket-friendly without losing the premium feel.
&
Cons
Controls can be fiddly, and some functions require two hands to operate comfortably.
The touchscreen and keyboard are not as responsive or fluid as a modern smartphone interface.
Battery life is shorter than the previous model, at around 10 hours of playback.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 96/100
Reviewers describe the SP1000M as clean, clear, punchy, and highly detailed, with music sounding natural and complete. What Hi-Fi also says it is “pretty much faultless” for sound quality and highlights how it keeps control across everything from delicate classical passages to dense, aggressive material.
Tonal Balance Musicality
96/100
The tonal character is described as clean, clear, and natural, with vocals, percussion, and strings all sounding complete and convincing. What Hi-Fi says the player handles gentle moments and punches of aggression with equal ease, suggesting a very composed and musical presentation.
Resolution Detail
97/100
Reviewers repeatedly stress detail and transparency, with the presentation described as “crisp” and “transparent,” and as able to make less capable rivals sound dull and lifeless by comparison. The sound is also said to stay textured and fully resolved, from bass lines to vocals and orchestral strings.
Digital Performance
95/100
The reviews point to very strong digital execution, with comments about reduced noise, improved output level, and a solid grip on every element of the audio. The player is portrayed as stable, controlled, and free of obvious digital roughness or strain even with varied sources and file types.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 74/100
The product is a dedicated portable player with a touchscreen, Wi-Fi, OTA firmware updates, internal memory, microSD expansion, and USB data transfer. Review coverage is light on day-to-day software experience, though the What Hi-Fi review does note that it handled Tidal and Spotify alongside local hi-res files without issue.
Streaming Software
72/100
The reviews barely discuss interface quality, app behavior, or overall software polish. The only real evidence is that it can play from Tidal and Spotify as well as local hi-res files, but there is not enough detail to call the software experience especially strong.
Features Connectivity
79/100
Connectivity is practical for a portable player, with Wi-Fi, USB-C data transfer, balanced and unbalanced outputs, microSD expansion, and OTA updates. The feature set is useful, though the reviews do not suggest unusually broad flexibility beyond what is needed for the type.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
81/100
The reviews say little about long-term ruggedness, controls, or mechanical refinement. The main construction-related comment is that the upgraded audio block layout shortens the signal path and reduces noise, but there is not much direct praise for chassis solidity or tactile feel.
Value for Money
85/100
None of the reviews really discuss price in a direct way, and they do not call it cheap, expensive, or a bargain. The closest value hint is that it outperforms similarly priced machines and even makes more affordable digital audio players sound dull, but there is not enough explicit pricing commentary to push the value case further.
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