Update: View our most recent Best DAPs: Editors’ Choice Awards here.
Does it make sense to spend $3,000 on a DAP?
We think that really depends on the types of headphones or IEMs that are going to be on the other end and if something like the Astell&Kern SP3000T is going to be your long-term daily driver.
2024 felt like a bit of a slowdown in the DAP (Digital Audio Player) category with fewer releases from FiiO, Astell&Kern, and Cayin; has the market finally decided that smartphones combined with a Dongle DAC is enough or is the DAP customer holding onto what they have which doesn’t give manufacturers a lot of incentive to create something new that might not move the needle?
The Cayin N3 Ultra had some great features but has suffered from a glitchy OS that keeps it out of the running. Even after several firmware updates, there is still the occasional hiccup during playback that has kept us from posting a review until the issues are resolved.
The FiiO M23 offers trickle down performance of the flagship AKM chips into the mid-tier price bracket and has commendable specs, but at $700, we have to question how many will find the M23 a substantial improvement over their smartphone connected to something like the Questyle M15c Dongle DAC — which we just reviewed.
Methodology
Eligible products must be currently shipping whether or not they were released in the current year. At least one eCoustics staff member must nominate a product within the category that they feel offers best-in-class performance at its listed retail price before it can be voted on by our Editors.
Astell&Kern SP3000T
The DAP that no one will question whether it is better than their phone and dongle combination is the Astell&Kern SP3000T. The spend is substantially more than any phone/dongle combination but one listen and you understand why. With the option to use the tubes or solid state amplification the user can tune the DAP to their listening preferences, and the sound quality will rival many desktop systems that cost considerably more.
The SP3000T looks as good as it sounds and should last years even when used on the go with the additional bumps and bruises that typically come along with that.
My overall take is that the SP3000T shares a rather similar tonality with the A&K SP3000 when used in solid state mode; both exhibit a rather neutral tonal balance with excellent transparency and most instruments have rather accurate sounding timbre.
When one switches to tube mode (full or hybrid), that changes somewhat with an additional layer of warmth that is evident throughout the range, but especially in the midrange where vocals become more organic sounding and string instruments have a lot more texture and presence.
There is no question that the Raytheon 6418 tubes have a significant impact on the overall sound and when spending $3,000 on a DAP – a little versatility is not a bad thing. Being able to switch back and forth became rather important when listening to such a large variety of headphones and IEMs.
Astell&Kern believes that the SP3000 is the best DAP they have ever produced. Does the SP3000T offer more of the same in a more affordable package or does it offer greater versatility that might prove to be beneficial to listeners long-term who may switch to different types of headphones and IEMs?
We know which one we would select.
Read our comprehensive review of this state-of-the-art DAP here.
Pros:
- Built like a tank
- Sufficient power for a wide range of headphones
- Tube/Solid State modes make it easy to dial in the tonal balance you want
- State-of-the-art resolution, detail, and clarity
- Dual-band Wi-Fi support
- Can stream to Bluetooth headphones
- Support for 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512
- Excellent control app
Cons:
- Expensive
- Leaving the display on drains the battery
- You will want to upgrade your existing IEMs and headphones
Where to buy: $2,999 at B&H Photo
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