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Astell & Kern SP1000
All New High-End, A&ultima SP1000
Astell&Kern is proud to introduce the A&ultima SP1000.
The A&ultima SP1000 is a one-of-a-kind, high-end,
powerful flagship high resolution music player equipped with the latest advanced features.
The A&ultima SP1000: delivering the ultimate Astell&Kern technology.
- A true flagship high-resolution music player
- First Astell&Kern player to feature an octa-core CPU for outstanding response and performance
- High Definition HD5 display to create the best viewing experience
- Innovative new Multi-function Wheel
- Rigid stainless steel/Copper housing
Great Performance for the Ultimate Experience
The A&ultima SP1000 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 SP1000 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 SP1000 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 SP1000 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 SP1000
32-bit Playback by Other Products
New Intuitive User Interface
The A&ultima SP1000 features a revamped interface design which
Provides music playback from the home screen to give users a more
music-centric experience.
By placing the power button on the Multi-function wheel located on the
Side of the A&ultima SP1000 instead of on the top, users can control the volume and turn
the LCD screen ON/OFF, all with one simple control.
The A&ultima SP1000 features a bezel-less design to maximize screen size. The high-definition HD5 grade display delivers a vibrant and engaging viewing experience. Song and player information is sharp, colorful and easily to read on the larger, brighter screen.
- Player is in the main. All functions are centered on "music replay."
- Secure access to the music DB and features to manage music files
- Minimum menu depth and simple structure
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 12-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
The A&ultima SP1000 is like a natural gemstone carefully refined by professionals.
Knowing that sound is reflected from mass, like light is reflected from a surface;
we designed the A&ultima SP1000 like a gemstone with reflective features on its surface.
The crown-patterned volume wheel on the right corner is similar in appearance to
a cut gemstone,
which reflects light from various angles. The sophisticated volume wheel on A&ultima SP1000
not only delivers visual and textual details with precision, but allows convenient,
one finger ON/OFF control and fine volume control with the addition of both push and turn features.
The external chassis of the A&ultima SP1000 is made of rugged Stainless Steel/Copper that resists aging and external shock. The A&ultima SP1000 is the ultimate music player, crafted in an artistically designed metallic setting.
Introducing the new SP1000 Onyx Black. This sleek and premium black coated stainless steel was made possible using PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating technology. It is environmentally friendly and the results are finishes that provide long-lasting protection and durability, are resistant to chemicals, easy to maintain and protect against corrosion and wear. PVD coating has been used for products where higher endurance and reliability is demanded, including medical instruments, luxury accessories and more.
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Professional Reviews 84/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
86/100
Build Quality
84/100
Features Usability
79/100
Value for Money
84/100
Built like a true flagship portable, the SP1000 pairs a dual AKM AK4497EQ DAC stage with balanced and single-ended outputs for a highly capable, no-nonsense source. Audiophilepure highlights the larger body, bigger screen, and USB 3.0 convenience, making this a premium player for listeners who value serious hardware and flexible playback.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Dual AKM AK4497EQ DACs underpin a serious flagship digital engine.
Balanced and single-ended outputs add flexibility for different headphone setups.
USB 3.0 support improves file-transfer convenience.
The larger body and screen give it a more substantial flagship feel.
&
Cons
USB 3.0 accessories may be less common, which can make cabling less convenient.
Some older devices may require carrying an extra cable for charging.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 86/100
The supplied review excerpt gives only limited direct sound commentary, but the product is clearly positioned as a flagship portable player with a dual AKM AK4497EQ DAC stage. The evidence supports a capable, refined digital source, but there is not enough reviewer language here to claim standout tonal beauty or exceptional resolution from the reviews alone.
Tonal Balance Musicality
85/100
The review excerpt does not directly praise tone or musical flow, so there is no strong evidence of a particular voicing. On the available evidence, it reads as a competent and likely polished player rather than one singled out for a special tonal character.
Resolution Detail
86/100
There is no explicit reviewer discussion of layering, micro-detail, or soundstage precision in the supplied text. The flagship dual-DAC design suggests serious detail capability, but the review evidence itself stays sparse on that point.
Digital Performance
87/100
The review explicitly notes the dual AKM AK4497EQ converter, which points to a serious digital engine. Beyond that, the supplied excerpt does not discuss noise, jitter, or artifact control, so the assessment remains positive but measured.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 79/100
The available review text focuses on physical I/O and transfer convenience more than day-to-day software use. It suggests a practical portable player with useful outputs and a faster USB 3.0 connection, but there is no meaningful discussion of interface polish or library management in the supplied review.
Streaming Software
80/100
The supplied review excerpt says nothing about app quality, streaming integration, or software stability. Since this is a local-file portable player and the review gives no software commentary, there is little to judge beyond basic usability expectations.
Features Connectivity
77/100
The review notes the 3.5mm single-ended output, 2.5mm balanced output, and USB 3.0 port for faster file transfer. It also points out the inconvenience of needing an extra cable with some older devices, so the connectivity is useful but not especially elegant.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
84/100
The review comments on the SP1000’s larger body and larger screen compared with the AK380, and describes a straighter, rectangular design. That supports a sense of a substantial, serious portable, but the excerpt does not really address materials, rigidity, fit, finish, or long-term durability.
Value for Money
84/100
None of the supplied review text weighs in on whether the SP1000 is good value at its asking price, and no direct comparison to cheaper rivals is given. In the absence of value commentary, it reads as an expensive flagship whose appeal rests more on ambition and features than on clear bargain pricing.
Reviews
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- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Advanced MP3 Players — in-store — Musselburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (website)
- 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)
- Audio Advice — online and in-store — Raleigh, North Carolina, United States (website)
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