Thanks @Dionysus for posting the technical details!
256 GB internal memory and app. 4 Vrms balanced are not extremely different to the AK380. So an additional amp will still be needed for many over-ear headphones. Well, now I know that there is no reason to uprade from my AK380Cu. My wallet will be grateful...
The power output 2.2 for SE and 3.9 for Balance are not inspiring. Same memory capacity as 240 &380. The only cutting edge is the 4497 Dac. Let's hope it will sound significant enough and better than the 380Cu.
great new DAP, but... disappointed by the output power and the total memory capacity, booth same as AK380, and well bellow KANN !! The 2 X AK4497 DACs is the most (only ?) very exciting part...
The AK240 to AK380 upgrade was a big jump - new DAC chips (Cirrus Logic to AKM), femto clock, CU chassis, add on accessories beyond dock, parametric EQ, faster UI.
AK380 to SP1000 upgrade is more subtle. Not sure how many AK380 owners will upgrade, but those who have been waiting for their end game DAP should definitely check it out.
Interesting that they didn't price it higher than the ak380... either they aren't confident that its a significant advance or market analysis shows that $3,500 is the upper limit to charge for a dap.
The power output 2.2 for SE and 3.9 for Balance are not inspiring. Same memory capacity as 240 &380. The only cutting edge is the 4497 Dac. Let's hope it will sound significant enough and better than the 380Cu.
Agreed. I think the other plus that you have is a faster processor so it should boot faster from Off.and the bigger screen which would be safer if you use as source for car audio.
All and all really upset about the memory. I think the other stuff is great but not addressing this key user requirement is a big miss on the part of AK.
going to be a long time before I bite the bullet and buy this one
The AK240 to AK380 upgrade was a big jump - new DAC chips (Cirrus Logic to AKM), femto clock, CU chassis, add on accessories beyond dock, parametric EQ, faster UI.
AK380 to SP1000 upgrade is more subtle. Not sure how many AK380 owners will upgrade, but those who have been waiting for their end game DAP should definitely check it out.
IMHO that (bolded) is only in terms of specs. Personally I felt the difference between the AK240 Duralumin to AK240SS was a bigger noticeable than AK240 Duralumin to AK380 Duralumin.
It was the AK380Cu that to me was the more noticeable difference and personally the AK380Cu is what the AK380 Duralumin should have been.
About the SP1000 pricing, personally I'm glad it's plateau-ed. I do hope it's a sign that makers are beginning to understand that it's around that number that it's the ceiling figure for a premium DAP.
Agreed. I think the other plus that you have is a faster processor so it should boot faster from Off.and the bigger screen which would be safer if you use as source for car audio.
All and all really upset about the memory. I think the other stuff is great but not addressing this key user requirement is a big miss on the part of AK.
going to be a long time before I bite the bullet and buy this one
Faster processor is nice but users (myself) of 240 and 380 really haven't notice any lag in the UI so I doubt the new processor will make much of a difference. The 5" screen is nice but a $400.00 smart phone from Samsung or Apple have better screen technology than this. We still don't know if AK have fixed or improved the balance output implementation or circuitry as the 380 Balance wasn't that much better and some even argue that the SE is better than the balance on the 380. Yep I agree the real disappointment is the memory capacity, should have at least put in a full size SD card slot to boot it up to 768 GB. Design wise, I think the 380CU came across with more design elements. Well at least I don't feel a strong urge to upgrade now. Still happy with my Wm1z and 380Cu.
IMHO that (bolded) is only in terms of specs. Personally I felt the difference between the AK240 Duralumin to AK240SS was a bigger noticeable than AK240 Duralumin to AK380 Duralumin.
It was the AK380Cu that to me was the more noticeable difference and personally the AK380Cu is what the AK380 Duralumin should have been.
About the SP1000 pricing, personally I'm glad it's plateau-ed. I do hope it's a sign that makers are beginning to understand that it's around that number that it's the ceiling figure for a premium DAP.
Totally agreed with the above assessment. Well, we will have to wait for the Paw Gold 2 coming out in the fall (also using AKM 4497) to see if they will do better in terms of spec.
I honestly don't care much about the DAC chips and power output. I only care about how it sounds driving my Westone W80 or other portable HPs. Look forward to hearing this one in copper.
I think for me as I mentioned earlier the balance implementation is crucial. Sony's use of kimber is a sign of doing the right thing from a quality and implementation stand point.
AK use of ribbon in its balance implementation design is not what I would call high end and in my opinion it doesn't sound as good as the SE input. I would expect that to have been addressed and for me to really be a possible upgrader at these prices.
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So an additional amp will still be needed for many over-ear headphones. Well, now I know that there is no reason to uprade from my AK380Cu. 
My wallet will be grateful...
