Astell&Kern is doubling down on the high-end with the launch of its most premium portable music player yet. It also comes with a suitably luxurious way to store it.
The company has unveiled the A&ultima SP4000 Copper, a limited-edition flagship digital audio player. It is launching the SP4000 alongside the Collector’s Atelier, a leather valet designed for serious head-fi collectors.
The headline act here is the SP4000 Copper. It’s based on Astell&Kern’s existing SP4000 platform but rebuilt using 99.98% pure copper. This is a material prized for its audio properties and notoriously difficult to work with.
According to Astell&Kern, the player requires a multi-layer stabilisation process and extremely precise machining to ensure long-term durability. All this is in the name of cleaner signal transfer and better shielding.
Under the hood, it keeps the same class-leading internals as the standard SP4000, including a quad-DAC setup and octa-circuit architecture. However, Astell&Kern says the copper chassis directly shapes the sound with the result described as deeper, more authoritative bass, a richer midrange, and treble that decays more naturally. The device is tuned for listeners who want recordings to sound as close to the original performance as possible.
As you’d expect, exclusivity comes at a price. The A&ultima SP4000 Copper is a limited edition and is available now with a suggested retail price of £3999 / $4499 / €4699.
Alongside it, Astell&Kern has introduced the Collector’s Atelier, a premium leather valet designed to house a player, earphones and accessories. It’s made using Perlinger leather, sourced from a German tannery that’s been operating since 1864.
The leather undergoes a specialised shrinking process that preserves its natural grain while improving durability. This means it should age gracefully with use rather than looking worn out. The Collector’s Atelier is available now for £229 / $260.
Rounding out the launch are two previously announced products that are now officially on sale. The AK HC5, a compact USB DAC priced at £399, targets portable listening setups. Meanwhile, STELLA, a reference-grade earphone developed with Volk Audio and Grammy-winning mastering engineer Michael Graves, sits at the very top of Astell&Kern’s in-ear lineup.
Taken together, it’s a clear statement of intent from Astell&Kern. This isn’t about mass appeal — it’s about pushing materials, sound quality and craftsmanship as far as possible for listeners who want the absolute best, even on the move.
