{"id":15240,"date":"2026-06-04T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/04\/astellkern-debut-aultima-sp4000t-digital-audio-player-and-clarus-in-ear-monitors-at-high-end-vienna\/"},"modified":"2026-06-18T23:18:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T06:18:18","slug":"astellkern-debut-aultima-sp4000t-digital-audio-player-and-clarus-in-ear-monitors-at-high-end-vienna","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/04\/astellkern-debut-aultima-sp4000t-digital-audio-player-and-clarus-in-ear-monitors-at-high-end-vienna\/","title":{"rendered":"Astell&Kern Debut A&ultima SP4000T Digital Audio Player and Clarus In-Ear Monitors at High End Vienna"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Astell&Kern recently announced the expansion of their flagship A&ultima player line with the introduction of the SP4000T digital audio player and Clarus in-ear monitors. Both of these new A&K products are making their world debut at High End Vienna 2026 (June 4\u20137, 2026) at Booth HX4, M04 in the Austria Center Vienna.\n<\/p>\n

First up is the A&ultima SP4000T digital audio player (DAP), which will first be available in stainless steel and later as a copper body option, and is said to be the culmination of nearly two years of development following the launch of the SP3000T DAP in 2024, and the departure from the SP4000 \u201ccanvas\u201d.\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The SP4000T is said to be the industry’s first DAP to feature a Raytheon JAN6418 MIL-Spec vintage vacuum tube in a quad configuration. With two independent tube frames dedicated to the left and right channels respectively, the split-channel design, once exclusive to high-end tube amplifiers, has finally been brought to the world of DAPs.\n<\/p>\n

IA&K says that each of the four tubes, they quote, is “accurately measured for its sound and gain characteristics before being matched, and then completely isolated from the sound by independent flexible PCBs and a multi-layer structure.”\n<\/p>\n

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The Triple Tube Mode on the SP4000T is also said to be an industry first for a DAP. Combined with the T Series Signature Triple AMP Mode and Tube Current level adjustment, it offers up to 54 possible combinations, “tailored to any genre or preference.”\n<\/p>\n

The Astell&Kern SP4000T offers three different tube sound modes. Triode mode is said to be ideal for vocals and acoustic instruments. Pentode mode focuses on high output and a \u201cclean\u201d dynamic effect. Ultra Linear Mode is intended to balance the tonal richness of Triode Mode with the power and control of Pentode Mode, to produce a “refined yet authoritative sound suitable for a wide range of musical genres.”\n<\/p>\n

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Incorporating A&K’s exclusive Teraton Alpha technology with quadruple tuned Real Vacuum tubes and an advanced OpAmp design, the SP4000T is said to deliver both authentic analog warmth and high resolution resolution. Users can choose between a dedicated OpAmp Mode for dynamic power, extended detail, and low-noise accuracy, or go with Tube Amp Mode for natural soundstage characteristics unique to true vacuum tube sound. An advanced 5-stage Hybrid Amp mode combines the power of both OpAmp and Tube Amp modes, allowing listeners to fine-tune the balance between the two to suit personal listening preferences.\n<\/p>\n

The SP4000T introduces an advanced 5-stage 2-stage anti-microphonic architecture (up from the previous 4-stage design) to suppress microphonic noise (ie, noise generated in vacuum tubes from even the slightest external vibration).\n<\/p>\n

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The Astell&Kern SP4000T is designed for modern, broadcast-focused listening, and runs Android 15 with full Google Play Store support while maintaining A&K’s premium analog sound quality. The unit’s ADP technology (also known as Astell&Kern Direct Path) bypasses standard Android sample conversion limits to enable true lossless, semi-perfect playback from streaming services. The SP4000T also introduces A&K’s first dual antenna design for Wi-Fi, delivering “super-fast and stable” wireless streaming and downloads, with internal tests showing download speeds up to 5GHz for previous models.\n<\/p>\n

The Astell&Kern SP4000T uses a completely different circuit design to separate digital and analog signal processing by using two flagship AK4499EX DACs and dedicated AK4191EQ processors for each channel, reducing noise and \u201cenhancing\u201d clarity, depth, and purity throughout the signal path.\n<\/p>\n

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Building on the SP4000 platform of the previous model, the SP4000T also includes a High Drive Mode with the same OpAmp configuration for a wide dynamic range and full detailed sound reproduction. ESA (Enhanced Signal Alignment) technology is said to reduce group delay and frequency distortion, while advanced DAR technology looks to recover lost harmonics before upsampling for more natural, life-like playing.\n<\/p>\n

Additional technical improvements include Any Layer HDI PCB technology and a 99.9% pure copper shield to further reduce signal loss, noise, and electromagnetic interference.\n<\/p>\n

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The Astell&Kern SP4000T combines high-quality connectivity with high-resolution playback capabilities and advanced wireless and user-focused features. It offers 256GB of internal storage with microSD expansion up to 1.5TB, supports native playback of up to 32-bit\/768kHz PCM and DSD512, and features a 6in full-HD touchscreen alongside dual-band Wi-Fi, DLNA networking, USB audio output, and USB DAC functionality for Macs and Windows PCs.\n<\/p>\n

Wireless performance is enhanced with aptX Adaptive and LDAC codec support, while BT Sink mode allows the SP4000T to act as a high-quality Bluetooth DAC for external devices such as smartphones. Features like ReplayGain, AK File Drop wireless transfer, USB PD 3.0 fast charging, and customizable battery protection are also present.\n<\/p>\n

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For extended listening comfort, the SP4000T also includes advanced Crossfeed controls that recreate a speaker-like listening experience with headphones, allowing users to fine-tune spatial presentation and reduce fatigue from listening for long periods of time.\n<\/p>\n

The SP4000T is equipped with a premium Cognac leather case crafted using Minerva leather from Badalassi Carlo, a renowned leather workshop located in the San Miniato district of Florence, Italy.\n<\/p>\n

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Two additional leather cases will be available for the SP4000T. The black colored case, made of soft cowhide by Gruppo Mastrotto, brings a special soft touch, with the same local quality and distinctive Italian color. The olive-colored case, made of premium vegetable tanned leather by Badalassi CARLO, is made with a proprietary tanning and dyeing process. Both cases feature a stand-up mechanism on the back for ease of use.\n<\/p>\n

Pricing and availability for the Astell&Kern A&ultima SP4000T stainless steel and copper DAP will be announced soon \u2014 and we’ll add SRPs here once we have (them) in hand.\n<\/p>\n

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Then comes the Astell&Kern Clarus in-ear monitors (IEM). Clarus is the fourth model in A&K’s IEM series, described as, quote, “the unwavering pursuit of sound faithful to the original. Delivering music exactly as the artist intended – clear and distortion-free. It’s a philosophy the brand has consistently supported, and Clarus continues.”\n<\/p>\n

Constructed of 6061-T6 aluminum, the Clarus is built around a 10-driver Tribrid structure, allowing each driver to perform \u201cthe best\u201d within a dedicated range. A dynamic driver delivers natural weight and depth to the low frequencies, while a well-tuned array of Balanced Armature (BA) drivers produces detail and resolution in the mids and highs, and the latest MEMS drivers are intended to provide even the softest high frequencies with “exceptional precision.”\n<\/p>\n

IA&K concludes that, true to its brand name, the Clarus IEM is “the answer to clarity. From the deepest bass to the most subtle highs, it reveals the natural details and sense of space that lives within the music itself.”\n<\/p>\n

Clarus’ IEMs will also be available for demo at the Astell&Kern booth at High End Vienna 2026.\n<\/p>\n

Pricing, availability, and more product information for the Astell&Kern Clarus in-ear monitors will be available soon – and, like the SP4000T DAP, we’ll add that SRP here once we have them.\n<\/p>\n

\nTo find out more about Astell&Kern, go here.
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To find an authorized Astell&Kern dealer, go here. <\/i>\n<\/p>\n

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Astell&Kern recently announced the expansion of their flagship A&ultima player line with the introduction of the SP4000T digital audio player and Clarus in-ear monitors. Both of these new A&K products are making their world debut at High End Vienna 2026 (June 4\u20137, 2026) at Booth HX4, M04 in the Austria Center Vienna. First up is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15241,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-15240","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-audio-sound"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15240","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15240"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15240\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15242,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15240\/revisions\/15242"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15241"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15240"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15240"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}