Aune X1s 2020 Edition DAC/Amp or Aune X7s Amp Discussions | Drop

Aune X1s 2020 Edition DAC/Amp or Aune X7s Amp

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bonyai

Aug 13, 2019

In terms of SQ, which of the following would be better? DX3 Pro, iFi Nano Black or this one? I'm upgrading from a Fiio E10k since I got the HD6xx and I'm not entirely sure what to get. Would a D10 Dac + standalone amp be better? Thanks in advance.

(Edited)

Vote

Aug 14, 2019

bonyaiMy guess- D10 + JDS labs Atom is the best route. The Atom is all you need within reason (for an amp with most headphones) and D10 could be better but not for that price. Grace SDAC also good choice. Better DACs exist but who knows if you can actually hear the difference. Aune X1S would be close 2nd (***for use with 300 ohm headphones) and the DX3 following close behind that. For the Aune X1S, I think the previous addition had a basically as good as it gets DAC and this is suppose to be an upgrade. DX3 has a tinny bit better DAC than D10 but it doesn't have as much power as the Atom. X1S has more power than DX3 (at 300ohm-assuming it's as good as the previous addition) but not quite as much as the Atom. The Atom vs X1S has double the power and far less output impedance. The ifi has the most power but not as well behaved. I'd choose DX3 over Aune using low impedance dynamic driver cans. Atom+D10 still best with a foreseeable upgrade path on the DAC. I kind of like the looks of the Aune though.

(Edited)

Heath-Hunter

Aug 14, 2019

Michael-QNice comparison, thanks! BTW I have read that DX3 Pro is cutting the very low end, so that's the reason I kicked it away from 1-st place to buy. So I just ordered this one instead. What do you think - was it a mistake?

Vote

Aug 14, 2019

Heath-HunterThe DAC alone is up there with a Topping D50s (at least the previous version was) so that adds a lot of value. The headphone amp is most likely good enough unless you blast music very loud. It only takes a miliwatt (mW) or two to get things uncomfortably loud to my ears. The only issue is if you use low impedance headphones that varies greatly with frequency because of the 5 to 10 ohm output impedance (which it most likely still has). The effect is kind of like adding a special EQ specific to each headphone.

(Edited)

Aug 14, 2019

Heath-HunterDX3 Pro is low end? Can you point me to the crazy person who told you this? It’s one of the best performing and bang for buck DAC/Amps in existence..

Aug 14, 2019

JJayJJI read it as the low frequencies get cut off. I had to look it up but surely enough there's a tiny dip around 20-30Hz over 0.1dB-which I guess makes it audible to some. I Wouldn't call that something to worry about affecting the sound but I wasn't going to argue either. The main question was if the Aune is a bad product. I think it's still pretty good compared to the vast number of products out there.

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Heath-Hunter

Aug 14, 2019

JJayJJSorry, by saying "low end" I meant cutting the lowest bass. Here is the exact post I was referring to (from TOPPING D50S discussion): https://drop.com/buy/topping-d50s-dac/talk/2480435 Please read chapter "(PART 1) Topping DX3 Pro vs Topping D50".

Vote

Aug 14, 2019

Heath-HunterImpossible, this is just anecdotal subjective nonsense at best. If you really want to see the differences from an objective point of view where no ones opinion needs consultations, check out these two reviews and compare it yourself. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-aune-x1s-dac-amp.6535/

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-topping-dx3pro-dac-and-headphone-amp.4967/

Aug 14, 2019

Michael-QI'd wager my home if someone could differentiate 0.1 db of difference in those frequencies. They're delusional if they think they can perform such a feat in a blind test.

Aug 15, 2019

JJayJJYou kind of have to understand not everyone is going to be as well informed or know where to look. And if they do know where to look, misinterpret what they see and think -0.15dB at 20Hz is a big deal. The average person is going to weigh in and take information where they can get it and not really have the know how to evaluate what they've read. Even I'm not sure what to believe when it comes to R2R DAC's. I mostly think it's a waste/worse in current DACs but if my understanding is correct it was the better choice back when digital to analog gear first starting coming out. So there is something to the technology. Now back to the matter at hand, the way I see it, into a 300 ohm load and loudness matched, do you really think most ppl can hear a difference between the Aune and DX3? That's how I approached Heather-Hunters question. Even Amirm from ASR says" Needless to say, I am happy to recommend Aune X1S as a well engineered DAC and headphone amplifier. " Granted he does point out the DX3 is the better choice overall for widest use case-but also note it doesn't beat the Aune in every category either.

(Edited)

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Heath-Hunter

Aug 15, 2019

Michael-QThanks guys, I think you are both right. As a newbie in headphone Hi-Fi stuff I am probably too sensitive regarding any negative wording in a review. So I read more reviews, then read some theory and try to evaluate the devices according to my needs. I had already checked the reviews on AudioScienceReview (by "amirm") and I trust measurements. Believe me I know what is 0.1 dB :) But still it could be a matter of a quality control with some of the models. Whatever, I canceled my order of X1s 2020 because I have just a pair of headphones over 36 ohms - the HD 58x. I think on ASR site I saw the previous X1S was 6 ohms and if you say this one is expected to be 5-10 ohms, I prefer not to risk playing my 16 ohm Philips Fidelio L2 :) And maybe still not ready to spend $500+ more for hi-end pair of headphones just because of the 300 ohm impedance.

Aug 15, 2019

Michael-QIt beats it in the most important one.. Feature set (as we've established not many, if any people can distinguish between the two DAC's) A bluetooth input is a massive benefit, along with a remote. Also the ESS Hump is a concern against the Aune. As for the R2R commentary, there's not much to really go on about that ordeal, it was a way they did things in the past, no need to seek such builds considering the sigma delta devices we have today that are easier to make, and perform better - instantly invalidating the need for anymore R2R devices in the future.

Vote

Aug 15, 2019

Heath-HunterHigher impedence headphones won't degrade quality or anything of the sort as long as your source is capable enough (which the DX3 Pro, and Aune would be). You also don't need to upgrade at all, you can use those HD58X's for years and never be left for wanting more with the current landscape. Either way you look at it, as long as the delivery guy doesn't drop it off a moving van, you're going to love the setup you got going.

bonyai

Aug 15, 2019

JJayJJThank you for all your replies. I'm happy to know that regardless of which I get, I'd be happy. I'll look into the JDS Atom + Dac option as well. I appreciate all the help.

Elsid

697

Aug 15, 2019

Michael-QIt's a class A now. The last one was D.

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j.t.x

219

Nov 2, 2019

bonyaiI am very much enjoying my iFi Nano Black so far. Behaves well with all the headphones I use with it. Very clear and revealing sound, and the complete absence of audible click in the signal path when turning on is a nice bonus. Having said that, the highest impedance set I use with it are 80 ohm, so if you have more challenging headphones, I cannot guarantee good luck, but I don't think that concern is unique to the iFi.

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