Astell&Kern SP3000T Review | The Best Tube DAP Yet?

Astell&Kern has released a tube version of their top of the line flagship DAP, the SP3000. While being cheaper than the SP3000 by $300 ($700 in comparison to when SP3000 first released), can SP3000T rival SP3000 in total sound quality, and perhaps even provide better value as a player?
Follow our social media channels for more original HiFi photography, videos, and reviews: linktr.ee/bloomaudio
Featured in this video:
bloomaudio.com/products/astel...
bloomaudio.com/products/astel...
bloomaudio.com/products/astel...
bloomaudio.com/products/campf...
bloomaudio.com/products/meze-...
bloomaudio.com/products/hifim...
0:00 Intro
1:11 Build, Design, and Features
5:41 Sound Impressions
9:53 Final Thoughts

[@theodorezurla496]

Great review I want one so bad love the he1000se in the B roll hands down the best deal in headphones currently

[@hulmemane.t.1108]

I own the SP2000T. Have briefly owned the Sony NW-WM1ZM2 before returning it due to it's power limitations, before settling for the HiBy RS8. IMHO; the HiBy is currently one of the best DAP's on the market right now!

[@tor13128]

what type of coloration does rs8 have?

[@hulmemane.t.1108]

@@tor13128 It's an R-2R ladder DAC with a veritable googolplex of options that let you adjust the sound signature, so it's subjective. It's easily a desktop setup in your pocket. Albeit a heavy one that requires at least 100+ hours of burn-in. Don't sleep on the R8 ll and R4 either! HiBy is in it's DAP ascendancy in 2024, IMHO.

[@grantdillon3420]

What DSP options does it have?

[@hulmemane.t.1108]

@@grantdillon3420 As I stated. It's an R-2R ladder, with HiBy's in house Darwin ll architecture DSP which gives you a myriad of filters, harmonic, and under/oversampling options specifically designed to drive different IEM's & headphones. Then there's HiBy's CR08 peripheral. I urge you to review it?

[@drcerbera5455]

Thanks for the review. Great as always and good that you are clear about any shortcomings. How does it compare to the Cayin N8ii

[@BloomAudio]

I've spent some time with the N8ii before, but I didn't have a chance to actually listen side by side with the SP3000T. I think they're generally pretty close, and the decision would come down to listening to the two side-by-side or whether you prefer the A&K UI vs. a stock Android UI. N8ii is a little bit bigger too if the size of SP3000T was already a turn off for you.

[@TheVeganVicar]

Definitely a step-up from my KANN ALPHA. 😮

[@R.C.Bullar]

This right here!

[@cavb748]

How many hours of use will the tubes last? Will the sound decay after some time?

[@masterazlan6999]

Nice elaborations.. Peace!

[@Rezzzn0r]

I like your videos, thanks mate

[@akoskolok]

Great review man! What do you think, is the synergy with the og empy would be good?

[@BloomAudio]

OG Empyrean would probably be good somewhere in the mode Hybrid mode closer to the solid state end. Full Tube might hit a little too relaxed in the highs.

[@akoskolok]

@@BloomAudio Thank you! Big help!🤗

[@hiviber]

Mine be here later today

[@hiviber]

OK, just wow... this product is amazing... paired with Maze Elite.... sounds just so fabulous.. I do like the yellow. Netatives... NO ROON YET>>>>

[@Level10Productions]

I saw ROON, I think you have to download it and also enable it in options. I dont know if it works tho. Curious, what are the benefits of roon btw? You have to pay alot, right?

[@hiviber]

@@Level10Productions Roon is awesome.. . collects all music from wherever it is, and organizes, and has filters as well... provides detail information on the album, tracks, artists, and bit rates... and can tweak further with plug ins.. I bit the bullet and have the lifetime plan.... around 700 bucks I think...

[@danieljung2810]

Wait Roon doesn't work on this? I mean it works on my SR35, so this seems strange.

[@danieljung2810]

​@Level10Productions Roon allows you to stream your own music, if you have a large music collection (ripping old cds or vinyls), has a lot of free streaming radio stations, gives you DSP and one of the most powerful equalizer, gets information about the artists and organizes it for you. It's a great software but pricey.

[@vicentvanmole]

will heat be an issue,as i had a SE300 which heated up very quickly & with case it got hot 🔥.

[@Level10Productions]

Nope. Mine barely gets warm as opposed to the Cayin N8ii. Loved the sound but had to return it.

[@renepohanka6683]

I am deciding between buying the SP3000 or SP3000T for my IEM Noble Viking Ragnar. I have read that the original SP3000 will sound sharp and aggressive with Viking Ragnar. Is the SP3000T a better choice?

[@BloomAudio]

Yes - I've done plenty of listening with Ragnar and both SP3000 and SP3000T. I actually think SP3000 manages the treble in Ragnar just fine, but if you're concerned about the highs being too aggressive, SP3000T in tube mode is more relaxed and will smooth it out a little more.

[@Level10Productions]

The choices in amps only do so much. It's more about character than taming highs. I suggest that you buy a 3000T and play around with the 20 band EQ. Its the only true way to have anything sound great. I have a pair of UA Premiers (21 BA drivers per) and with custom tuning they sound unbeatable, at least until my Empire Novus arrive. There's already a tuning preset for them, ready to go! They were designed in collaboration with A&K so they should oughta be audio nervana for the 5G price tag. All I can say is I love mine and Bloom Audio has been great to work with. These guys are really helpful. You can't go wrong on this. Way better than the Cayin N8ii I had which was buggy but sounds awesome too. Mine had heat and battery issues. Non of that with the SPs.

[@Level10Productions]

Do yourself a big one and go with the SP3000T! OMG, I love mine!!!

[@nathanberger618]

I like the simplicity of my Cayin N3Ultra

[@BloomAudio]

I've used the previous generation, but not the N3Ultra, and yeah, those are incredible players if you don't need apps or streaming, especially when you consider how great it sounds for the money.

[@nathanberger618]

@@BloomAudioI am not much of a streamer, I just use the DAP for music, plus I like tubes.

[@Level10Productions]

Had the Cayin N8ii for a few days. It had some serious issues, maybe defective, but I loved the sound! I love the SP3000T way more overall tho.

[@AF-rd2vf]

For ultimate sound quality which would you recommend? SE300, SP3000T or SP3000?

[@Level10Productions]

Thats a toughie. By all accounts it would probably be the 3000. I chose to buy the 3000T tho on account of the rich yet accurate sound you get from a blend of op amp with tubes. I love that thing! Still my first choice. The 3000 is a tiny bit more accurate but the difference is way too small to matter.

[@Bozyilmaz8]

I can't decide which one to get, I probably go for se300 performance and technical very close to sp3000 and will save it 2k.

[@AF-rd2vf]

@@Bozyilmaz8 the SE300 is a fine machine to which is the one I bought about 4 months ago. I have since moved to the SP3000 and due to the fact I already have the Woo Audio WA8 there wasn’t really a need to go SP3000T. The WA8 gives me the option to go line out from the SP3000 when I want to go tubes. Of course I bypass the built-in DAC on the Woo because the SP3000’s DAC in on another level. If you don’t have a tube based amp go with the SP3000T. I hear it’s a fine DAP. You can’t go wrong with SE300 either. Check out Bloom Audio because they have a sale on all three.😉

[@AF-rd2vf]

@@Level10Productions good choice with SP3000T. What’s your impressions?

[@titasray330]

SP3000 or SP3000T which one should i buy? Need suggestions. 😊

[@BloomAudio]

If you just want pure, simple awesome sound. The SP3000 is still the way to go, but if you like the idea of being able to turn it a little more analytical for some music and a little more warm/lush for other genres - or you prefer a less exaggerated soundstage - SP3000T is the way to go.

[@Level10Productions]

I have one and can't say enough. The 3000 might have a tiny edge on accuracy, I dont know, but you wont get that creamy buttery sound of a tube amp without it. I am currently running mine with a pair of UA Premieres (21 BA drivers each channel) while I wait for my new Novus IEMs. There is already an EQ preset for it and 2 more. I run it in hybrid amp mode, mid setting, with medium tube bias for flavor. The Digital Audio Remastering does wonders too. You get a choice of 5 filters. It plays any/every kind of sound file I don't care how fast it is. My fave feature? Those awesome realistic real VU meters. Wow. And all my albums have CD jewel cases on them. Wow. Still learning my way around but oh what a blast. The sound is compelling, hard to put down. Love this thing, really!

[@Level10Productions]

​​@BloomAudio All true folks! I love everything about mine. Even the 99.9% pure silver plating overtop of the Rolex watch grade stainless steel is awesome. And I finally got my new black case for it. Be sure to order the color you want when buying, however it will cost you extra. Comes with a yellow leather case or you can buy it black or taupe. See below.

[@hiviber]

@@Level10Productions waiting for my Novus too.... gonna be so awesome.. I Use my Meze elites mostly now... brings a tear.

[@hiviber]

@@Level10Productions I took my case off.... just so fricikin beautiful.. hate to hide it.

[@johnnychang6078]

Novus ?

[@BloomAudio]

Coming soon! We haven't gotten our demo from A&K yet, so we still only have CanJam impressions to go by for that one.

[@hiviber]

@@BloomAudio what were you impressions? did you use with the 3000t? did you try the equalizer novas setting?

[@hiviber]

@@BloomAudio impressions?

[@Nephilim-81]

Raythen tubes. 😂