Here are two premium lifestyle gadgets to consider splurging your year-end bonus on, if music is the essence of your life.
Or if the music from your handphone no longer cuts it, no matter how enhanced.
Astell&Kern the top names in the world of digital audio players (DAP), has released the A&ultima SP3000. An absolute powerhouse of innovation and style, this portable high-resolution audio player effortlessly does what many people would regard as just metaphoric marketing text.
It teleports you.
Plug in, launch a song, and you’re there beside the musicians performing the piece. Embraced by a sonic experience that’s as realistic as it gets. In an environment as natural and as comforting as it could be too.
Not kidding. I had the pleasure of trying a set this week, using the equally incredible Odyssey IEM, and the experience was simply transcendent. I know that’s a weird description to use but, believe me, that was exactly how I felt.
It’s like, there were all these people chatting around me but instantly they all went silent and I felt as if I was right next to (a much younger) Billy Joel singing about truth and tenderness. I could even sense the distance between Billy’s piano and him, as well as fully experience the damper resonance of his instrument.
Transcendent, I repeat.
For audiophiles and Astell&Kern fans, there’s much to be excited about with this new flagship model too, when it comes to the features:
- Independent Dual Audio Circuitry: A world’s first. The complete separation of balanced and unbalanced output allows for unmatched sonic production.
- AK4499EX DAC Chip by AKM: Separates digital and analogue signal processing to generate the most realistic presence. Achieves an incredible signal-to-noise ratio of 130dB too.
- AK4191 Delta-Sigma Modulators: Processes the digital signal before digital-to-analogue conversion. Again, a first in the market.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 6123 Octa-Core Processor: For lightning-fast response and processing, and support for high-resolution aptX-HD and LDAD wireless streaming.
- Support for all major formats: Including MQA and Native DSD 512.
- 904L Stainless Steel Body: The choice of durable, corrosion-resistant metal for luxury Swiss watches.
- AK’s Signature TERATON ALPHA Technology: Further refined for the SP3000 to achieve peak realism.
- An Artisan Leather Case: Each SP3000 comes with an ALRAN premium leather case designed to showcase its sleek metallic design.
- 256GB Internal Memory.
- Compatible with leading music services.
- Bluetooth Sink: Allows wireless music streaming from files stored on an external device.
The Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000 retails for SGD 5799/- (GST included) and is exclusively available at AV One, Singapore’s leading audio visual equipment specialist.
The Odyssey: A Luxury In-Ear Monitor to Complete Your Dream Music Journey
The A&ultima SP3000 is released together with the Odyssey, a next-generation in-ear monitor (IEM) that’s also a collaboration between Astell&Kern and Empire Ears.
Like the SP3000, the Odyssey comes packed with a long list of breakthrough features, and I could probably write a full article if I go through all of them in detail. But in summary, these are:
- 10-driver Quadbrid System: Comprises of two W9+ Subwoofers, 5 Balanced Armatures, dual Electrostatics, and a W10 Bone Conductor.
- 7-way SynX Cross Over Network and EIVEC MKII Engine: Harmonises all 10 drivers of the Quadbrid System. Maintains coherence and timing too.
- Empire’s Dual Conduction Architecture:In short, uses both air and bone conduction to perfect the listener’s immersion. You don’t just hear that bass. You feel it too.
- 5Hz to 100 KHz Frequency Response Range.
- Effect Audio Ares II Cable.
- A.R.C. Treated Chassis.
- Soundproofed Barrier.
- Visually Stunning Design: Or should I say, complex? The Odyssey features a visual design inspired by the principles of Enigma, a unique dichroic faceplate that features nine individual polymer layers in three proprietary lamination steps.
The Odyssey retails for SGD 5299/- (GST included) and is also exclusively available at AV One.
