Astell&Kern (A&Ultima) - SP2000 Digital Audio Player - Official Thread

[Torq]

@Henry

Why do you feed your Hugo 2 with the SP2000? Sounds even better?

I don’t, as a rule.

The Hugo 2 either gets driven directly via USB (from a laptop) or from the network via 2Go (90% of the time that’d be via Roon, the remainder from it’s SD card slots).

@Henry

Your Cayin N8 BB comments caught my eye too because of the tube sound. Such a shame no all in one device for all needs still. Would you say it compares to Mojo warmth? Sucks to have 2 DAPs, and N8 can’t do Tidal right? So only FLAC files?

In tube mode it’s warmer than the Mojo. It is also sweeter and richer. And again, is closer to the Hugo 2 in performance than the Mojo.

But, no, the N8 can’t run apps and there’s no native streaming client for it. So you’re limited to what’s on its internal storage and microSD cards and/or using it as a USB DAC. So I tend to use the N8 when I’m also taking a laptop somewhere, since I can stream from there. And on the deck if I want some tube-flavor more than I need to stream content.

@Henry

Any 3rd party portable to create that Tube sound with the SP2000?

Woo Audio WA8 Eclipse, but it’s pretty big compared to the SP2000. Maybe the old ALO Audio Continental Dual Mono, if you can find one (I think it’s discontinued).