Perhaps it’s time to get the most expensive gadget of the past and, perhaps, this year. The first enthusiastic thrill of the purchase has settled… but who am I kidding, things have not subsided, just a little unsettled thoughts, and I’m ready to tell you about A&ultima SP1000, the same player for $ 3,500.
Perhaps just start this review with the necessary reservations. Yes, this player is expensive, very, very, expensive, it is obvious to all and requires no further repetition. So, if you experience cravings come to share this opinion with others, nothing you don’t. Company Astell&Kern for a long time and successfully positioned itself as the main (and only) player in the luxury segment of the market for portable audio, so beyond the price tag on the flagship model is the same essential attribute as the evening dress in a luxury restaurant. In addition, A&K has a good range of players, offering a normal as 20-30% of the price tag “Ultima” (e.g. AK70 Mk II, which I recently wrote).
But today we are talking about a flagship model, which absorbed all the achievements of company’s engineers. The previous “top” in the face AK380, which cost the same 3500, fell to 2500, automatically taking on the role of “pratapa” and “Redtop” AK320 (which I very much appreciated) dropped to 1400. Given the fact that there are more KANN and AK70 Mk II is the current ruler of the company becomes quite obvious.
Updated leader has changed, both inwardly and outwardly. Outside it was much more that allowed to increase the screen size to 5″, the volume wheel was passing switch, a trendy USB-C connector. It basically uses two DAC AK4497EQ, has undergone processing amplifier, and in addition to traditional growth characteristics like THD+N and SNR, grew up and balanced power output. Increased housing also allowed to put a battery larger capacity that impact on work time, and to charge this battery it was fun, there is support for Quick Charge. Improved and nezvalova, the player now meets a 8-core processor, and in honor of this A&K this well reworked familiar from previous versions of the UI, refreshing it and making it significantly more modern.
Specifications
- DAC: 2 × AK4497EQ
- Output level: 2.2 Vrms normal output, 3.9 Vrms balanced
- Output impedance: balanced output 1Ω, 2Ω usual
- Frequency range (normal exit): 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±0,062 dB) 10 Hz – 70 kHz (±0,68 dB)
- Frequency range (balanced output): 20 Hz – 20 kHz (±0,061 dB) 10 Hz – 70 kHz (±0,67 dB)
- The ratio signal/noise: 120 dB normal output 122 dB balanced
- Channel separation: 138 dB normal output 143 dB balanced
- Total harmonic distortion+noise: 0.0005% of normal output, 0,0008% balanced
- Formats supported: WAV, FLAC, MP3, WMA, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF
- Max resolution: 384 kHz/32 bit, DSD up to DSD256
- Screen: 5″, 730 × 1280
- WiFi: 802.11 b/g/n
- Bluetooth: V4.1 with aptX support for HD
- Input: USB 3.0 Type-C
- Outputs: 3.5 mm TRS (supports digital output via optical) and 2.5 mm TRRS
- Battery: 3400 mA/h
- Work time from a single charge: up to 12 hours
- Charging time (Quick Charge): ~ 2 hours
- Built-in memory: 256 GB
- Memory card: MicroSD
- Dimensions: 76 mm × 132 mm × 16 mm
- Weight: 388 g
Packing and delivery
Of course, without pathos, in this case it does not do so inside the outer black cardboard boxes, a wooden box containing the player and other accessories. In addition there are different warranty card and instructions in the kit laid out: USB-C wire pin to eject memory card (made in the form of a company logo, by the way), two sets of protective films and case made of leather.
The case is good enough, but for my taste, chosen the brown color isn’t really combined with the copper housing of the player. In addition, the cover is loose top, but it is especially the structural elements of the player (the slim bezel above the screen), around which it is unlikely to succeed.
Most importantly, what I don’t get is why A&K is not pasted a protective film at the factory. Whether they believe that the process of sticking with the vain attempts to avoid getting dust on glass is a fascinating quest, or think that buyers SP1000 for label protectors have a private Butler… I tried to glue the film to the screen, but, as usual, to do this without dust under it failed (it did not help either the can of compressed air, or pear for cleaning optics), so I decided to use the player without protectors, it is to carry it in a pocket with keys, I will not, and in case of a fall of a 400-gram bar down screen no protector will not help.
Design and management
As in the case of the Lamborghini Diablo, to discuss the design even as you do not want is a typical product of Astell and Kern, if taken to its absolute. Angular, asymmetric shapes, bevels, carbon rear panel — all this “in General” we saw, but particularly with each successive model that comes in a new and unusual light. Incidentally, I note that angular design A&K to me is much nicer faceless roundness of the forms of the flagships of Sony, but that’s subjectivism, pure and simple.
Continuing the automotive analogy, “Ultima”, as Ferrari, is sold in two colors, however, in our case it is not just the color but also the material from which made the housing. If you decide suddenly to bestow a similar purchase, you have to choose what you closer — stylish silver stainless steel or a noble redness of copper. Everything is complicated by the consideration that copper is easier to be scratched and over time can even be covered with patina. Embedded in the carton paper warns that Astell&Kern is, of course, covered the player a special coating that protects from oxidation, but copper de material is soft, may be scratched, the coating is damaged… in this case, no you are covered with a patinated body on a guarantee will not change. I decided for myself that to be afraid of patina — copper not to buy, and still chose this option. First, copper is a vintage (which means beautiful), and secondly patina, if you suddenly appear, will give the player individuality. Some particularly impressionable audiophiles believe that the case material can influence the sound device, but this remark from a hall we, comrades, now noting with indignation. Of course, I held a blind test, but he confirmed the already obvious…
The first thing you feel, picking up the SP1000 is the weight (“the Weight is sign of reliability. For me reliability is the most important thing”). Almost 400 grams show that the thickness of the body here is not saved. Equally respected immediately inspires and size, the player is clearly designed not to carry in your pocket (well, except that you wear the army unloading). Immediately it is worth to realize for yourself the fact that this portable player, but it is stationary-portable. To carry it from place to place, of course, can and should, but to walk with him down the street — not a good idea (although bags from Golla completely solve this problem). SP1000 is bought clearly for use at home or on trips (not on the fly), if you need a portable option, you should think about to buy the same AK70 Mk II, his signature color is, and in the pocket it is placed (no, I’m not kidding, I just think of a similar idea). The car analogy still bored? So, if you have a sports car, it is unlikely to be your only car, you’re going to need something to travel on imperfect roads, and here.
Controls the player is not much. On the left side are three buttons, rewind, and playback (so you can switch tracks without reaching for the A&ultima from his bag on wheels), on the right placed the knob of volume, it is depressed, working part-time, power switch/lock. Then I think I will refrain from drawing Parallels with the watch in General and the Apple Watch in particular. The encoder, of course, high-quality, clicks clear, their development software of the player is flawless. Due to the combination of the “whirlings” with the “button” has a small gap, but managing it does not interfere. At the ends of the player are pin jacks (normal and balanced), slot for memory cards (used as in the last scheme with the tray) and a USB-C connector. The latter, as I wrote above, it serves for charging and file access, through the same signal can be output to USB DACs. Judging by the presence of the connector in the future A&K can produce an extra amplifier for the thousandth time.
Most of the front panel covers the screen, of course, to the modern flagship smartphones, it does not hold, but for the player everything is very good: colors, viewing angles, resolution, reaction to touch, the stock of brightness, none of this causes issues. Under the screen, it is traditional for players of is touch return button back.
The battery life is approximately consistent with the stated Pinnacle with P1 in the role of the load (common output, FLAC 44.1/16 in the role of loading) the player worked for 11 hours and 40 minutes. Charging took 2 hours 10 minutes. For the modern player — the performance is quite decent.
Firmware
As I wrote above, the developers have revised their views on the structure of the interface, it became more “modern”: different blur effects, transparency, animation look very impressive. I think that this UI ported for younger models, but this is clearly not just a matter of time.
Immediately after loading we get to the play screen, everything is fairly traditional: at the center of the album cover, below the add button in the playlist, view additional information and control the order of playback. Below — the title track and rewind/playback. Tap on the cover of the track will show it larger, along with the lyrics, if it is sewn in tags, swipe the cover allow you to move to next/previous song. Swipe at the bottom of the cover near the indicator position moves by the current track.
All the rest is hidden three hidden panel opened by swipe from the edges of the screen. A gesture from right to left opens the current play list, allowing you to quickly choose the desired track. On the left you can nominate your library panel, there are the expected lists your music by albums, artists and genres, access to playlists, a list of all the songs in a row, view music by folder, separate lists for tracks in high resolution and “chrablienne” from the CD-ROM drive. The traditional Tidal/Groovers+. The bottom item of the list results in the player settings, but about them later. The top panel is the search field tracks (one of the main advantages of the players with touch screen — full keypad). When enabled, AK Connect in the same menu is added to select a music source and the device for output.
The expected and the familiar swipe down from the top reveals quick settings and notifications, then switch Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, EQ mode, USB and other commonly used options. There is also a slider to adjust the brightness of the screen. Special thanks to the designers for what is finally signed off toggle buttons, significantly simplifying their use (at the same AK320 needed some time to remember them).
The settings in the player not so much as the competition, the credo of the company — simplicity, but everything you need is there. On the screen the advanced settings you can manage:
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- AK Connect is a proprietary Protocol of the access devices based on the DLNA allows you to stream music over the network and read from network storage
- EQ, SP1000 to the conventional equalizer allows you to change the number of specific frequencies are added a little of parametric (in the Advanced tab), however, to use EQ on the top player is still not very much sense
- Gapless playback
- Mode line output
- Channel balance
- Options for adding tracks to current playlist
- Management firmware CD-Ripper
- USB mode (MTP or DAC)
- Mode audio output via USB (DoP or convert it to PCM)
- Enable S/PDIF output
Here are the system settings: language, clock, brightness, timer switch controls, lights, and sleep. Also the player is able to upgrade the firmware via Wi-Fi, for which purpose the item in the same menu.
I think it makes no sense to say that the firmware works stably, smoothly and without any complaints, A&K has already brought their codebase to stable status.
Sound
To listen to the device used the following headphones: iBasso IT03, 99 Meze Classics, Audio Zenith PMx2, Noble Kaiser Encore, Campfire Audio Andromeda, 64 Audio U12, HUM Pristine and others.
If we talk about past players of the company, I personally think 380 model failed developers. Sparkle in brand sound engineers did a 380 sounding too smartenna and accordingly its price range on sound, so to the exit SP1000 AK320 it was the best sound solution to the “Ostello”. Judging by the fact that in filing A&ultima took a step in the direction of smaller ornaments of sound, A&K also realized that the situation must be corrected. Fortunately, they succeeded.
If we talk about the flow of “thousandth” in General, it is neutral, very technical, without trying to focus on something, the thing that allows you to determine what is before us still, “Astell & Kern” — the signature filing midrange (and this time it is not overdone), and it completely changes the whole thing, saving the player from sliding into boring region of monotonnosti. Player — definitely not an option for those who want to source some kind of pump, initially absent in the record, but that’s what should be the top camera, “vkusovschina” is the middle segment, the closer to “the tops”, the less add myself the device, although the main thing is not to overdo it with the neutrality.
So when reading further the audio portion of the review can mentally add to each paragraph of the passage like “but if you are used to more emphasis on this part of the range, the player will not work”.
Bass have a SP1000 is very linear, quick, but with a pleasant solidity. Then there are the attacks, when it is necessary, and an embossed texture and a perfect balance of quantity, giving the effect of absolute realism natural instruments. The bass is very realistic, and it is this agility gives the player a noticeable part of its charm (of course, talking about live instruments, what is considered realistic for samples from Fruity Loops, I don’t know). “Ultima” just immerses you in track, if the sound of the string bass — you can hear their movement and soundboard resonance when one plays tuba, you will hear the slightest resonance of copper (by the way, I recommend Vaughan Williams, Concerto for tuba and orchestra in f minor).
MIDs — detailed, but it does not disintegrate into individual components, the notes (or sounds) perfectly replace each other, reacting with realistic attack and decay. The emotions inherent to the record player carefully passes unchanged, as, however, and the flaws of the tracks. The device copes with the construction of an imaginary scene, as in width and in depth, although there is, of course, will depend on your headphones — almost certainly bottleneck they are. With A&ultima you are almost guaranteed to go to a higher quality by recording the music with live instruments (I recommend “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2” by Franz Liszt in piano performance). Here you can take the analogy of a good green tea (or good whiskey) — the better the product, the less desire to spoil it with sugar (or ice).
And, finally, treble. Exactly the right level give the home a magical effect quality music. Themselves almost no tools go high in the “top”, but this range is full of overtones and reflections that our brain refuses to really “believe” in realism sounding. It turns out that in case of problems on HF (don’t confuse them with SC), on the one hand, they are difficult to specify, on the other — the music is very much to lose. Happy to say that I’ve been waiting for the moment when I can write: HF this player is the ideal as possible in a portable device. They have excellent separation of layers, bold attacks, and proper damping, they are balanced quantitatively, and even about such a trifle as a license, it makes no sense to say. Music performed by the hero of our review (recommend “the Dance of the sugar plum fairy”, the versions with glass harp, it’s just crazy) sounds airy and effectively. The same chamber of the recording sometimes even allow for a hearing to determine the parameters of the room.
Comparison, perhaps I won’t, because what’s the point to explain how, in my opinion, is behind this or that player from A&ultima? The question, of course, rhetorical.
Compatibility
Complaints about lack of power players, A&K made in the past, this model does not apply. Of course, tight isodynamic “Ultima” will not sway, but almost any other headphone will be tough for him, especially in the case of the balanced output. Player, naturally, does not make noise even with sensitive IEM, and quite able to squeeze the most out of any reasonable load, making it almost universal in terms of headphones. There is no any strict recommendations, you can simply choose whatever is playing congenial to your preferences, and get a bunch of your liking (well, of course, absolutely stupid bias). It is obvious that the best player to use something closer to the tops, like the same “Ankoro”, but, for example, “Beryllium” — quite a good option.
By the way, if to speak about the difference between conventional and balanced outputs, with the exception of power, palpable to the ear difference could not be found, so if you do not have tight headphones that require high impact stress, balanced recabling can not bother.
Stylistically player is absolutely universal, but, of course, use it with styles, not sparkling recording quality, little sense, and it’s not in supercritical, to listen to a bad recording is simply to buy A&ultima and listen to something badly written is of little help, so if most of your library recorded with compression commercials DR3-4, you have to watch gadgets cheaper. So technically the criticality of the player is around 7 out of 10, but common reflection should be considered gaining 10 out of 10.
Traditional tracks are examples
David Bowie — China Girl. It is difficult to find the magician of sound, more diverse than David Bowie. This track is a beautiful example of his work: the background melody, the rhythm section, keyboards and vocals live their separate lives, while organically uniting in a composition that at first glance seems almost a simple pop song. But this impression is very deceptive, and “Ultima”, perfectly playing every little nuance of this track, shows the depth in which you can take, starting to listen to this song.
Johny Cash — Hurt. Filled with pain and hopelessness hymn to wither and die, of course, was the main farewell the jewel of the creative work of the famous artist. The music here is quite simple, though well recorded, but need to listen to this recording with a good player (or best, lol), as it becomes clear that the main thing here — the horror of death that slips into the voice of johnny cash, turning a simple melancholic song into a small masterpiece.
Chet Baker — If You Could See Me Now. Some minor this time got the selection, so I’m not going to try it with something to dilute. Serving the beautiful melancholy from the masters of jazz trumpet worthy culmination of this review. A great, multi-dimensional composition in which the parts of the solo trumpet echoed by the double bass and light piano, great lies in the manner of filing the top Astell&Kern: clearly, boldly, vividly — here is an incomplete set of adjectives that deserves the hero of today’s review.
Insights
Usually the insights necessary to write something about the positioning of the player, its ratio of price and quality, but it’s not about the SP1000. In this case, everything is easier, the price is prohibitive, but also get quality — the best that now exists in the world of portable.
Buy Astell&Kern A&ultima SP1000
An overview of the player Astell&Kern A&ultima SP1000 — standing on top
Pavel Dmitriev