▲ SP1000`s copper color

 I-river's high quality audio DAP brand Astell & Kern unveiled new flagship line up A&ultima. First of all, they made public A&ultima SP1000 in Japan and USA's homepage. Also, Astell & Kern made public all-in-one concept line up KANN. KANN is diffusion brand, and A&ultima is high-end brand. The main feature is fitted with AKM's latest DAC 'AK4497EQ', Octa-core CPU, very low jitter 200Fs, VCXO Clock, USB 3.0 (Type-C), new GUI, bezel-less design high resolution HD 5 inch display, and new designed amp ciruit.

A&ultima SP1000 looks like basic design of Astell & Kern's style. 

 However, its 5 inch 720p big display makes its main body bigger than the original works. For fast reaction velocity, they equipped Octa-core CPU. Original works of Astell & Kern DAP have poor evaluation. Nevertheless, they said eigh core CPU, not knowing about how business made. In performance, the number of core is important but in quality, its AP model is more important. 

 The side wheel looks like original works, because SP1000's volume wheel combines with power button. Astell & Kern's flagship products traditionally have dual DAC design. Also, the range of sound source support is enchanced, 32 bit/ 384kHz PCM and 256 native playback. 

 SP1000's sound quality is enhanced in balanced 3.9 Vrms/ SNR 122dB/ THD+N 0.0008% output. Single-end is 2.2 Vrms/ SNR 120dB/ THD+N 0.0005% output. First, maximum power output and sound quality are enhanced more than AK380. The built-in memory is 256GB, with Micro SD card which is 512GB. Also, it is fast charging, its battery capacity is 3700mAh, but the big display and enhanced CPU make battery shortage. the price of SP1000 is $3,499, and in USA, the pre-oder started on May 18, 2017.

June 24th by 문성우