Astell & Kern SP2000T
The SP2000T delivers a rare portable blend of forensic detail and musical ease, shifting from fast, natural solid-state drive to harmonically rich hybrid warmth. HiFi News praised its clean, insightful sound and Roon-ready versatility, while The Ear found balanced output especially spacious and engaging. Quad DACs, three headphone outputs and lavish construction complete a luxury DAP for serious libraries.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
93/100
Build Quality
94/100
Features Usability
95/100
Value for Money
81/100
Pros
Highly resolving, transparent sound with strong speed, accuracy and instrumental nuance in op-amp mode.
Selectable op-amp, tube and hybrid modes provide genuinely useful tonal flexibility, from precise attack to fuller, more spacious warmth.
Balanced outputs deliver greater bass weight, openness and soundstage depth with less sensitive headphones.
Extensive connectivity includes bit-perfect Roon playback over Wi-Fi, streaming support and USB-DAC functionality.
Cons
Its luxury-level price puts it beyond many audiophiles' budgets.
Pure tube mode is not universally preferred, with some reviewers finding it slower, smaller-scale and less dynamically convincing.
The angular, 309g chassis is relatively large and heavy for a portable player.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
Reviewers consistently praise an unusually revealing, spacious and musically engaging presentation, with the selectable op-amp, tube and hybrid modes offering meaningful tonal variation. The balanced output is especially well regarded, while full tube mode is less universally successful due to its softer, slower and more dynamically constrained character.
Transparency Resolution
95/100
Hi-fi+ calls it “staggeringly informative,” while HiFi News praises its deep detail, speed, accuracy and transparent handling of tonal nuance. The Ear also found impressive clarity, clean treble, strong separation and an open presentation, particularly through the balanced output.
Tonal Balance Musicality
94/100
The op-amp mode is described as natural, precise and free of added warmth, while the tube and hybrid modes can introduce fuller tone, harmonic richness and a more organic character. Reviewers particularly enjoy hybrid mode, although HiFi News found its tube-related changes subtle and The Ear considered pure tube mode somewhat slow and small-scale.
Dynamics
91/100
The op-amp stage earns praise for fast rhythm, snappy drums, attack and strong dynamic expression, and reviewers heard hard-hitting drums and punchy bass with suitable headphones. Hybrid and tube settings trade some of that tautness for greater weight and warmth, with pure tube mode specifically described as dynamically constrained by The Ear.
Noise Floor
92/100
Audiophile Heaven reports no trace of hiss with a range of sensitive IEMs, including Campfire and Unique Melody models, and highlights the player’s low output impedance. The supplied reviews contain no reports of hum or background noise in normal listening.
Headphone Compatibility
91/100
HomeTheaterHifi says it can drive just about any headphone, while Audiophile Heaven similarly found ample power for its headphone collection and broad IEM suitability. The Ear found output choice important: balanced operation brought greater fullness, openness and life, whereas some headphones sounded less convincing from the single-ended output.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
94/100
Construction receives consistently strong praise, from HomeTheaterHifi’s “beautiful, rock-solid construction” to The Ear’s description of flawless build quality. HiFi News also commends the lavish metal casework, sophisticated machining and distinctive volume control, though the angular chassis and substantial size are less universally convenient.
Features Usability
95/100
This is an exceptionally capable portable player, with quad DACs, selectable amplifier modes, 3.5mm, 2.5mm and 4.4mm outputs, USB-DAC capability, Wi-Fi, LDAC/aptX HD Bluetooth, streaming-app support and Roon Ready operation. Reviewers praise its network and playback flexibility, although the lack of Google Play means some apps require manual APK installation.
Value for Money
81/100
At roughly $2,499/£1,999/€2,000, reviewers agree that this is a serious luxury purchase rather than an accessible portable player. Audiophile Heaven considers the sonic performance exceptional but explicitly stops short of calling it strong price-to-performance value, while HomeTheaterHifi notes that it will be beyond many audiophiles’ budgets.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- Model
- SP2000T
- Body Color
- Onyx Black, Copper Nickel
- Body Material
- Aluminum, Copper Nickel
- Display
- 5inch FHD 1920 x 1080 Touch display
- Supported Audio Formats
- WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF, MQA
- Sample rate
- PCM : 8kHz ~ 384kHz (8/16/24/32bits per Sample) / DSD Native: DSD64(1bit 2.8MHz) Stereo / DSD128(1bit 5.6MHz), Stereo / DSD256(1bit 11.2MHz), Stereo / DSD512(1bit 22.4MHz), Stereo
- Output Level
- Unbalanced 3.0Vrms / Balanced 6.0Vrms (Condition No Load)
- CPU
- Quad-Core
- DAC
- ESS ES9068AS x4 (Quad-DAC)
- Vacuum Tube
- KORG Nutube 6P1
- Decoding
- Support up to 32bit / 384Hz Bit-to-Bit Playback
- Input
- USB Type-C input (for charging & PC & MAC)
- Outputs
- Unbalanced Out (3.5mm) / Optical Out (3.5mm) / Balanced Out (2.5mm, only 4-pole supported / 4.4mm, only 5-pole supported) )
- Wi-Fi
- 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz)
- Bluetooth
- V5.0 (A2DP, AVRCP, Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, LDAC)
- Dimensions
- 3.07 ”(78.1 mm) [W] x 5.55 ”(141.1 mm) [H] x 0.68 ”(17.5 mm) [D]
- Weight
- Aluminum: about 10.89 oz (309 g) Copper Nickel: about 17.74 oz (503 g)
- Feature Enhancements
- Firmware upgrades supported (OTA)
- Frequency Response
- ±0.024dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Unbalanced / ±0.038dB (Condition: 20Hz~20kHz) Balanced ±0.027dB (Condition: 20Hz~70kHz) Unbalanced / ±0.052dB (Condition: 20Hz~70kHz) Balanced
- Signal to Noise Ratio
- 121dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 123dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
- Crosstalk
- -137dB @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / -142dB @ 1kHz, Balanced
- THD+N
- 0.0003% @ 1kHz, Unbalanced / 0.0003% @ 1kHz, Balanced
- IMD SMPTE
- 0.0004% 800Hz 10kHz(4:1) Unbalanced / 0.0003% 800Hz 10kHz (4:1) Balanced
- Output Impedance
- 3.5mm (1ohm), 2.5mm (1.5ohm), 4.4mm(1.5ohm)
- Clock Jitter
- 25ps(Typ)
- Reference Clock Jitter
- 70ps
- Capacity
- 4,200mAh 3.8V Li-Polymer Battery
- Playback Time
- About 9 hours (Standard : FLAC, 16bit/44.1kHz, Unbalance, Volume 50, LCD Off, LED On, OP AMP Mode)
- Charge Time
- About 3.5 hours (Standard - 9V/1.67A Fast charging) About 5 hours (Standard - 5V/2A General charging)
- Built-in Memory
- 256GB [NAND]
- External Memory
- microSD (Max. 1TB) x1
- Supported OS
- Windows 7,8,10 (32/64bit), MAC OS X 10.7 and up
- Specification
- - Audio was NOT muted during the measurement. - The image/specification may be changed without notice to improve product performance and quality.
Manufacturer's Description — Astell & Kern
Find Your Optimal Sound, SP2000T
Staying true to our philosophy of delivering original audio experiences without compromise,
Astell&Kern strives to design portable music players that reach beyond the capabilities of a standard
playback device
to enhance the listener’s music enjoyment.
The SP2000T combines the OP AMP configuration of our SP2000—the culmination
of Astell&Kern's finest audio technology—with a nostalgic vacuum TUBE AMP, adding a vintage feel to the
portable player.
Introducing the A&ultima SP2000T. The Ingenious New Solution.
- The Triple Amp System Takes Acoustics to a New Level.
- Vacuum Tube Amplifier Compatible with 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm Output Jacks.
- Equipped with ESS ES9068AS QUAD-DAC, for Balanced, Ultra Detailed Sound.
- TERATON ALPHA, Astell&Kern's Ultimate Sound Solution.
- ReplayGain Function to Maintain Consistent Playback Levels between Tracks.
- Dual-Band Wi-fi Support for Uninterrupted Wireless Connection and Improved Compatibility.
- Internal Mechanical Design to Minimize Noise
SP2000T
The "T" in SP2000T does not stand for a specific word,
but rather encompasses design approaches and directions made during the product development process.
- TrueThe SP2000T inherits the SP2000's true-sound philosophy
- TripleTriple AMP System
- TimelessTimeless Value
- TubeVintage Vacuum Tube Amplifier
Everlasting Beauty - SP2000T Copper Nickel Limited Edition
Astell&Kern strives to make products delivering music that touches people's hearts, not just their ears. For this goal, not only have we introduced the most innovative and up-to-date technology to the SP2000T, with SP2000T Copper Nickel, we wanted to capture the characteristics of the Copper Nickel material itself and its unique beauty to complete our philosophy and design values.
Previous flagship models that were manufactured using pure copper were praised by audiophiles for the most musical and organic representation of the original sound and instruments. We wanted to take the SP2000T a step further and complete our design philosophy and sound by creating a copper and nickel alloy.
The SP2000T Limited Edition is made of an alloy of copper and nickel which is used in wind instruments and is known for creating deep, full sound. The SP2000T Copper Nickel will only be produced in limited quantities.
Copper Nickel is silver in color and emanates a beautiful sheen found in jewelry and crafts, taking the SP2000T's seamless design to a higher level.
Not only is the design increasingly refined, but it has a very high level of corrosion resistance, a unique property of copper Nickel, giving it a long-lasting beauty, simultaneously being highly antibacterial and resistant to contamination.
With high electrical conductivity and low magnetic shielding, you can now experience an alternative sound from that of the original Aluminum SP2000T.
Enjoy the SP2000T Copper Nickel's amazing sound and experience the true artisan design philosophy we have achieved.
TRIPLE AMP SYSTEM is the Next Generation of AMP Technology
The SP2000T exceeds the standard approach to AMP Mode selection, based on the type of music you
are listening to.
Select between TUBE AMP mode, OP AMP mode, or the brand-new HYBRID AMP
mode.
OP AMP mode puts Astell&Kern's AMP technology expertise to use, delivering extreme clarity and
dynamic sound,
while TUBE AMP mode provides a uniquely warm and musical sound.
HYBRID AMP mode - a first for digital audio players - enhances the resolution and clarity of the
existing TUBE AMP mode to express more musical detail.
HYBRID AMP mode, combines the advantages of retro analog performance and high-resolution output, giving you the pleasure of a brand new
tonal characteristic.
Experience the unique sound enhancements that AMP technology has to offer.
OP AMP Mode : Extreme clarity and dynamic
TUBE AMP Mode : Uniquely warm and musical
HYBRID AMP Mode : A fresh combination of retro
vibes and high-resolution output.
Vacuum Tube Amplifier Com-patible with 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm Output Jacks
The SP2000T supports all output types, with no restriction on the type of receiver used,
so you can enjoy the unique characteristics of the vacuum tube.
Real Vacuum Tube
Equipped with the portable-friendly dual-triode KORG Nutube, for a unique TUBE AMP sound.
Nutube offers a reliable continuous playback time of approximately 30,000 hours.It features an anode grid filament structure which operates the same as a triode vacuum tube.It's much smaller, consumes far less power and yet
delivers the same audio with rich overtones.
The SP2000T supports all output types, with no restriction on the type of receiver used, so listeners can enjoy the unique characteristics of the vacuum tube.
HYBRID AMP MODE
HYBRID AMP mode supported for the first time by DAP is the essence of Astell&Kern's advanced AMP design technology.
New combinations of sounds can be enjoyed in HYBRID AMP mode, which is based on the OP AMP sound and addition of tasteful warm tones unique to TUBE AMP technology.
Internal Mechanical Design to Minimize Noise
Special Design to Minimize Microphonics Noise
SP2000T features a special design tailored to minimize microphonics (the phenomenon wherein the vacuum tubes generate noise even from a small external impact). Multiple design iterations and verifications have been performed over a long period of time to fix the structural issues of vacuum tubes that generate microphonics noise even from a small impact or vibration. For minimization of mechanical impact and vibration, both sides of the vacuum tube are fixed with flexible silicone covers, and the vacuum tube has been modularized so it is physically separate from the PCB. Astell&Kern goes to great lengths to innovate and design these small components that make a big difference in the quality and sound of our products that no other manufacturer can match. A structure that uses magnetic forces to float the amp in the air, thus minimizing noise from the vacuum tube itself, which is generated when it is exposed to mechanical impact or vibration
Silver Plating Shield Can
Astell&Kern products apply shield cans so that noise and elec-tromagnetic interference, which occur when the countless parts are in operation, do not affect the audio block.
The SP2000T has taken it a step further by applying highly con-ductive, hyper-pure silver plating on the existing shield cans for perfect shielding that provides excellent audio performance.
Astell&Kern Audio Technology Forms the TERATON ALPHA Sound Solution
AK ULTIMATE SOUND SOLUTION, TERATON ALPHA
TERATON ALPHA is AK's Ultimate Sound Solution to produce audio playback that is close to the original sound through the audio output interface by use of effective power noise removal, efficient power management and amplification with minimal distortion. TERATON ALPHA features Astell&Kern's patented technologies, which are the result of tens of thousands of hours of continuous research and development to produce sound close to the original sound the artist and producer intended.
TERATON ALPHA features Astell&Kern's patented technologies, which are the result of tens of thousands of hours of continuous research and development to produce sound close to the original sound the artist and producer intended.
Adoption of Full HD Display for Improved Image Quality
The SP2000T features a full HD screen to provide a higher quality display.
- 441 PPI High pixel density
- 16.7M colors Large color gamut
- 5.0 inch Large display
- 1920*1080 High resolution
Quad-DAC for Perfection of Superior Sound
SThe SP2000T is equipped with four ES9068AS DACs, this allows two DACs per channel for dedicated decoding. The SP2000T achieves a more detailed and balanced sound with great depth and spatial realism.
ReplayGain Automatically and Uniformly Adjusts Playback Volume
ReplayGain, which adjusts sound sources with different volumes to an identical level, has been applied. Now, enjoy your own playlists seamlessly through the ReplayGain feature on SP2000T.
* ReplayGain supports up to 24-bit/192 kHz sound sources.
AK File Drop to enjoy wireless transfers
The new AK File Drop function in the SP2000T makes files transfers easier and more convenient. Using AK File Drop, you can freely transfer files wirelessly through a PC, smartphone, or FTP program located on the same network. Music file management is now possible with a cableless, wireless solution.
Wireless Hi-Fi Sound Through BT Sink
The newly introduced BT Sink function connects the SP2000T to an external device via Bluetooth, similar to connecting a smartphone with a BT speaker. Music from an external device, such as a smartphone can now be played back in high-quality on the SP2000T using the BT Sink function.
Real-Time Playback and AMP Mode Information Reflected by Light
Through the softly dispersing LED light, Users are notified of the bit depth information of the song being played or the current AMP mode.
* LED light may be turned on or off in the user settings, and one can choose between the sound source information or AMP mode information displays.
DESIGN
The radial pattern of the volume wheel reflects bursts of light, and the protective surface has been modified to distinguish it from other models.
The side lines fan outward as they extend downwards from the wheel.Similarly to the SP2000, the edge extends to the rear panel, emphasizing the connection between the two models.
The proportions of the face have been adjusted to accommodate the larger form , and the CMF (Color, Materials, and Finish) have all been selected to make the SP2000T stand out from its predecessor, the SP2000.
To reinforce the idea of light illuminating space, we combined the image of the amp's light filling the empty space of the vacuum tube with Astell&Kern's light and shadow concept.
The protector around the volume wheel is encircled, providing an image of a space that has been created from light.
Although the glass on the rear is one piece, it looks like two separate pieces, and the boundary of the two is designed to look onsistent with the wheel protector.
Rather than evoking the coldness of glass, the underside has been designed to express warmth, and the top features a subtle, shimmering design that flares to life when the amp is switched on.
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- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
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- ALAIN CHOUKROUN — online and in-store — Paris, Île-de-France, France (website)
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- Audio 46 — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
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