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Astell & Kern A&ultima SP2000T review

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A portable pièce de résistance

Editor’s Choice

(Image: © Astell & Kern)

TechRadar Verdict

The Astell & Kern A&ultimata SP2000t portable music player boasts a distinctive look, impeccable sound, and extensive specifications – but with a hefty price tag.

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One-minute review

Sometimes, concessions have to be made. The Astell & Kern A&ultima SP2000T portable music player has an uninspired name, yes. It costs a lot of money, true. And it plays fast and loose with the definition of the word ‘portable’. But if you want a premium digital audio experience while you’re out and about, don’t look (or listen) any further. The SP2000T sounds superb. 

Jump to

Price and release date

Design

Audio performance

Should I buy it?

Some of this is undoubtedly due to the hair-raising level of specification that’s incorporated here. Two amplifier stages offer seven distinct options, while no fewer than four DACs are deployed to handle two channels of audio information. The SP2000T is unconcerned by digital audio file size or type, and it will happily power any (and I mean any) pair of headphones you care to mention.

What else? Well, the control interface is clean and responsive. The player itself is not so much built as sculpted. Even the battery life is half-decent. And (as mentioned once, and not for the last time) the audio quality it’s capable of delivering is truly outstanding. 

The SP2000T is a deeply accomplished digital audio player, and it will keep you entertained and informed all day long. Just as long as you can justify the not-inconsiderable outlay to yourself.  

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Astell & Kern A&ultima SP2000T price and release date

• Available now
• $2,399 / £1,999 / AU$3,599

The Astell & Kern A&ultima SP2000T is on sale now. That’s all well and good, but much more relevant is the asking price: in the United Kingdom it sells for a pound short of £2K. American customers hoping to maximize their portable audio experience will need to put $2,399 aside, while in Australia you’re looking at AU$3,599. 

So we can safely assume the mainstream will ignore this product. In fact, unless the SP2000T can make a watertight case for itself and its price tag, the chances are the specialists will ignore it too. No pressure, then.

(Image credit: TechRadar)

• 309g
• Angular, asymmetrical chassis
• 141 x 78 x 18mm (H x W x D) 

 Astell & Kern established its design vocabulary quite a while ago, and it’s not about to change now – certainly not after investing a lot of money on fancy-pants metalworking machines. So the A&ultima SP2000T is edgy, pointy and slightly unharmonious in its shape; it could never be confused as the product of any other brand. And as seems only sensible when asking this sort of money, the SP2000T is constructed with the kind of solidity more commonly associated with bank vaults – and it doesn’t weigh much less than one, either.

Being a fair bit bigger in every direction than even the biggest smartphone does at least mean there’s plenty of space, both inside and out, for all the specification Astell & Kern has decided to deploy. If the SP2000T doesn’t feature it, it’s because it’s not worth featuring.

Perhaps it’s the tri-amp element of the specification that’s most immediately attention-grabbing. In addition to its customary OP AMP amplification, Astell & Kern has also fitted the SP2000T with dual-triode KORG Nutube amplification – which is fundamentally an extremely compact vacuum tube, or valve, amplification stage. 

This is the sort of expensive, complicated and fragile amplification beloved of audiophiles, but not the sort of thing that tends to show up in a portable digital audio player. The user can select one method or the other to amplify their headphones, or can choose one of the five different hybrid settings that combine the two.  

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Oh yes, headphones. It should go without saying that the SP2000T demands high-end (and high-priced) headphones for you to enjoy the complete audio experience – but at least Astell & Kern has fitted three headphone sockets. So you’re able to deploy 2.5mm or 4.4mm balanced  headphones as well as the (much) more common 3.5mmm unbalanced alternative. 

But before your digital audio information gets anywhere near the amplification or the headphone output(s), it has to first get on board. Wireless connectivity is via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth – the latter can handle AAC, aptX-HD and LDAC codecs, so high-resolution wireless streaming is firmly on the menu. 

Once the information is on board (the SP2000T is able to handle any file type you care to mention) it’s pored over by four ESS Sabre ES9068AS DACs, capable of handling file sizes from the poverty-spec Spotify free-tier variety to huge DSD512 alternatives. And we think it’s worth saying that just one more time: four DACs. Two for each channel. There’s ‘thoroughly specified’ and then there’s the Astell & Kern A&ultima SP2000T.

Operating the SP2000T is done using the big (5in), bright, full HD (1920 x 1080) capacitive touchscreen. If previous Astell & Kern players have had a recurring weak point, it’s been the quality (or otherwise) of their control interfaces – but here the screen is responsive. It’s also clean and clear in its typeface, and smooth-scrolling. Which is exactly how it should be.

Battery life is an adequate-we-suppose nine hours (which is enough to see you through all but the longest-haul flights), and the SP2000T needs three hours to go from ‘flat’ to ‘full’ (which will seem a lot longer than it actually is). You can drain that battery by listening to music stored on the A&K’s 256GB of internal memory, which can be boosted by up to 1TB with a microSD card.

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Audio performance

• Wide open soundstage
• Assured rhythmic expression
• Deep, controlled bass

So we can all agree Astell & Kern has made an effort with the A&ultima SP2000T. And the good news is that if you team this player with appropriately talented headphones (the majority of this test was done using Sennheiser’s splendid IE 900 in-ear monitors) you’ll hear the results of all that hard work in pretty unequivocal fashion. The SP2000T is a deeply capable, thrillingly musical and endlessly listenable audio player. 

Naturally enough, the A&K does its best work when given the best stuff to deal with – it only takes a brief listen to Stevie Wonder’s He’s Misstra Know-It-All in DSD32 form to demonstrate that. But unlike a lot of digital audio players with pretensions towards genuine hi-fi sound, the SP2000T isn’t picky or snobby. It’s just as happy to make the most of a bog-standard Spotify stream of Car Seat Headrest’s Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales as it is the big high-resolution stuff. 

No matter what you end up listening to, the A&K demonstrate really even, convincing tonality from the bottom of the frequency range to the top. Detail levels are sky-high (especially/inevitably with the more information-rich stuff) and there’s a wide-open, utterly believable soundstage established on which musicians can do their thing. If it’s the full picture you’re after, well, here it is.

Low frequencies are deep, controlled, loaded with detail and carry plenty of momentum. The midrange is absolutely alive with the finest details of technique and timbre – which means a singer as accomplished as Stevie Wonder sounds about as intimate and immediate as you’ve ever heard him. And the top end is assertive, substantial and just as fulsomely detailed as the rest of the frequency range. 

Rhythmic expression is assured, and the SP2000T is just as confident where both broad and minor dynamic variations are concerned. It’s utterly in charge of every recording you give it, and yet manages to make the fun stuff sound like fun. Some players with this sort of high-end emphasis can sound quite po-faced and analytical, but the Astell & Kern sounds enthusiastic without ever getting carried away.

Downsides are a) remarkably few and b) easily mitigated. Basically, the self-assurance the SP2000T demonstrates when reproducing the highest frequencies can quite easily tip into overconfidence if your choice of partnering headphones isn’t sympathetic. So make sure you audition a few pairs before making a decision. And the number of amplification options seems, in all honesty, quite a bit more interesting when written down than it proves in practice. The variations in sound are extremely subtle, and you’ll almost certainly find one of the seven options you like best and end up sticking with it.

In every other respect, though, the Astell & Kern A&ultima SP2000T needs no caveats. It’s as good a portable audio player as you can buy.

Should I buy the Astell & Kern A&ultima SP2000t?

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Buy it if…

You want the best portable audio experience available
The SP2000T makes your smartphone sound like a bit of a dog’s dinner.

You own (or can budget for) similarly talented headphones
Those white Apple freebies won’t cut it.

You understand the word ‘portable’ is open to interpretation
Don’t go thinking the SP2000T will slip into the pocket of your jeans 

Don’t buy it if…

You think two grand is too much for a product like this
You don’t get an awful lot of stuff, sure, but the SP2000T sounds like the money’s-worth.

You favor a slimmer fit
The A&K will play havoc with the line of your jacket.

• Read our complete guide to hi-res audio

Astell & Kern A&ultima SP2000T: Price Comparison

No price information

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Simon Lucas is a senior editorial professional with deep experience of print/digital publishing and the consumer electronics landscape. Based in Brighton, Simon worked at TechRadar’s sister site What HiFi? for a number of years, as both a features editor and a digital editor, before embarking on a career in freelance consultancy, content creation, and journalism for some of the biggest brands and publications in the world.  

With enormous expertise in all things home entertainment, Simon reviews everything from turntables to soundbars for TechRadar, and also likes to dip his toes into longform features and buying guides. His bylines include GQ, The Guardian, Hi-Fi+, Metro, The Observer, Pocket Lint, Shortlist, Stuff T3, Tom’s Guide, Trusted Reviews, and more.

Onkyo DP-X1A Digital Audio Player review

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Looking for an MP3 player? This one’s your best bet

Recommended

TechRadar Verdict

Nothing’s perfect, but the Onkyo DP-X1A comes pretty close. Despite its bulk, it beats all the competition in sound-quality, and while a little expensive it can easily battle it out with players double the price.

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Cons

• –

  Bulky

• –

  Expensive

Why you can trust TechRadar
We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

The humble MP3 player may well be considered dead in the consumer world, but among audiophiles there is still a use for a great music player. Why? Well, it turns out the audio converters on your phone aren’t always that great.

That begs the question, if you’re looking for an MP3 player, which one should you get? There are a few choices on the market, and they’re not all created equal. Onkyo, however, is here to make your search easier with its flagship music player, the DP-X1A, a brand-new digital audio player that’s built for portability without doing away with great performance.

When you think MP3 players, the first device that might come to mind is iPod. But this, folks, is no iPod. 

The DP-X1A not only looks great, it’s an absolute beast in performance world. But it doesn’t come cheap – the $799 (£559, AU$649) price tag may be enough to put off even the seasoned audiophile. 

Is it worth the cash? We put it to the test to find out.

• Onkyo DP-X1A (Black) at Amazon for $650.75

The first thing you’ll notice about the Onkyo DP-X1A is its spectacular, eye-catching design – by all accounts it’s a pretty good-looking device. 

Upon first taking it out of the box, we were struck at how large it was – a little shorter and wider than your average 2017 smartphone, but a whole lot thicker, coming in at a cool 0.5-inches. That’s not necessarily a bad thing considering it’s still a very portable device, and that extra space was needed to fit all the under-the-hood components, but it’s size still something to consider when buying. 

On the left of the player is where you’ll find the volume wheel – a wheel that can be accessed from both the front and the back, while on the right you’ll find a power button and three playback control buttons: rewind, play/pause, and fast-forward. On the right, you’ll also find two microSD card slots, which are sure to come in handy for those with large hi-res audio libraries.

On the bottom of the player, you’ll find the microUSB port, while on the top you’ll find two headphone jacks: one 3.5mm jack, and a second 2.5mm jack. 

As you would find on a smartphone, the majority of the front of the device is a touch-sensitive display – which is good news for those used to a smartphone. In fact, the software on the device is a full version of Android 5.1 Lollipop. It’s somewhat clear that the device was designed with right-handed use in mind, but lefties should still be able to make their way around it.

It’s a pretty good look, for sure, and while some will be a little put off by the heft of the thing, it’s easy to get used to.

Software

If you’ve used an Android phone before, you already know how to use the DP-X1A – it runs on a full version of Android 5.1, complete with the Google Play Store and the full set of Google’s apps. That’s a pretty nice feature considering not too many audiophile MP3 players put this much focus on software.  

We can only assume that Onkyo went with Android to offer an excellent software experience without having to focus too much on developing its own operating system. That means you can download streaming apps for your favorite services.

That doesn’t mean Onkyo didn’t have a hand in software-development. In fact, it looks like it did. For starters, alongside the Google Play Store you’ll find a shortcut called “Useful Apps,” which takes you to certain apps on the store that are best-suited to the player. Apps include the Onkyo-developed Onkyo Music, which is aimed at allowing users to download hi-res audio and offers both new releases and a large back-catalog of great music. This isn’t a streaming service, however. Instead it’s simply a store for hi-res downloads.

The Music app, however, is where Onkyo’s software development really comes into play. The app is built for taking advantage of all the features this player has to offer. It’ll let you browse through the music on the player and on your SD cards, browse by artist, album, or song, and so on. Then, once you start playing you’ll be able to toggle between different preset EQ settings, or create your own. 

In general, using the Onkyo DP-X1A is a breeze, and we loved the idea of using Google’s Android, even if the version of Android is now outdated considering we’re three versions on.

Performance

Of course, none of this matters if the player doesn’t sound good – but it does. It sounds awesome. 

The player is built for audiophiles, and as such it’s super transparent, and while you could make the case that there seems to be an ever-so-slight bump in the higher end, we really liked that bump. If you’re someone who likes more control over the sound of your music, you can easily set the EQ using the Music app.

The bass response on the player is perfectly placed, and while the overall sound will largely depend on the headphones you choose, the player won’t be the weak link in your signal chain here. The player is capable of pumping out some pretty low frequencies, but it does so nice and naturally. Some might call the bass response a little unfocused, and that’s something that bleeds over a little into the low-mids – but not overly so, and it’s certainly not a deal-breaker here.

As mentioned, the low-mids could be tightened up slightly, but in general the mid-range is still very well-tuned. The high mids really start to open up the mix, and by the time you hit the highs, you’ll get excellent clarity and crispness. The high-end is probably the high-point of the player’s sound, but don’t take that to mean that the low-end is sloppy – it’s not. If you experience a problem with the bass response, it’s probably the fault of your headphones.

The frequency response, however, is just the beginning of why this player is so great. The DP-X1A offers twin Sabre DACs and amplifiers under-the-hood, and our only complaint there is that some super high-impedance headphones may need an extra push to get enough volume. For headphones that don’t, however, the result is an excellently wide soundstage with a ton of room to breathe. We loved that. Instruments were defined and clear, and assuming a decent song mix, you’ll love the sonic depth achieved here.

Final verdict

There’s no getting around it – the Onkyo DP-X1A is an excellent music player. Nothing’s perfect, to be sure, but this player comes pretty close. While it’s a little large, and some might want a slightly tighter low-end, the fact is that this player can go head to head with some much more expensive competition – so much so that we’ve awarded it the top spot on our guide to the best MP3 players.

• Need a new pair of cans to go with it? Check out our guide to the best headphones

Onkyo DP-X1A: Price Comparison

106 Amazon customer reviews

☆☆☆☆☆

$650.75

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Christian is a writer who’s covered technology for many years, for sites including Tom’s Guide, Android Central, iMore, CNN, Business Insider and BGR, as well as TechRadar.

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