TechAudioAstell&Kern goes for gold with this incredible new music playerThe luxury audio firm has launched a hi-res audio player that’s utterly uniqueWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechAudioAstell&Kern goes for gold with this incredible new music playerThe luxury audio firm has launched a hi-res audio player that’s utterly uniqueWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The luxury audio firm has launched a hi-res audio player that’s utterly unique
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Astell&Kern)
(Image credit: Astell&Kern)
If you’re looking for a unique Christmas present for your favourite rapper or entrepreneur, Astell&Kern may have just the thing: the new SP3000 digital audio player is utterly unique, because A&K says it’s the only digital audio player in the world made of gold.
It’s not solid gold, because that would take the already pretty hefty price tag into an orbit so high only Jeff Bezos’s rockets could reach it. It’s plated with 24 karat gold to deliver something that looks, well, a million dollars. Thankfully that doesn’t also describe the price you’ll pay for it.
Gold’s often used in high-end hi-fi equipment due to its excellent conductivity and its resistance to rust and discolouration, and here it’s applied using a wet process rather than the more common surface treatment. The device is first plated with nickel, then with the 24K gold, and then it’s coated with a tough protective layer to harden the metal and prevent fingerprints from spoiling its luxury looks. It also comes with a leather case to protect it when you’re out and about.
What’s behind the gold in A&K’s new audio player?
Although the SP3000 is designed for listening on the go, it also works well as a streaming hub for your existing hi-fi system – and unlike other streamers it doesn’t mean you’ll have to move things around to make room for it.
The price isn’t quite in “if you have to ask you can’t afford it” territory: the RRP is £4,399 / $4,400 / AU$7,288. If that’s a little beyond your budget, the equally attractive but gold-free A&ultima is $3,799. Both the SP3000 Gold and the A&Ultima are available now from astellnkern.co.uk.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Build bigger arms in just 30 minutes with this 5-move dumbbell-only workoutIt’ll leave the biceps and triceps popping!
It’ll leave the biceps and triceps popping!
OMEGA puts the moon on your wrist with its new Speedmaster Moonphase MeteoriteOMEGA adds two new Moonphase Meteorite watches to its Speedmaster line-up
OMEGA adds two new Moonphase Meteorite watches to its Speedmaster line-up
