I spent alittle over a week comparing the AUNE S6 to my Chord Mojo portable dac/amp, and to my Benchmark Dac2 HGC desktop amp.

I was first to recieve the tour unit, so I gave the S6 and supplied VE Zen 2.0 earbuds about 200 hours before critical listening. My source was a Melco N1A streamer/ server. I used the supplied Venture Electronics Zen2.0 in balanced XLR termination, my personal VE Zen2.0 standard 3.5mm termination, and my trusty Senn HD600 for comparing all 3 units. Cables used were Curious USB between Melco streamer and AUNE S6 dac.

First off, I will say the AUNE S6 actually reminded me of Chord Hugo's very flat and neutral tonality. Its dac had similar dynamics and bass definition as the 3x priced Benchmark Dac2 HGC, which really surprised me. The S6 has a nice build quality, screen looks great, and has a decent heft to its weight. I was not able to test its preamp capabilities, but I tested its dac and headphone outputs against the latter.

Unfortunately the AUNE did lack the power of the Benchmark through its 1/4 output which I am accustomed from the Benchmark. The S6 balanced output is closer to what I expect from the Benchmark as far as power and weight, this was easily distinguishable while using both the supplied balanced zen2.0 earbuds, and my personal 3.5mm terminated pair while using a 1/4 adapter. The S6 could easily drive my Sennheiser hd600s using its balanced output.

The AUNE S6 has a studio like neutrality and is tonally uncolored I found. It has a very wide soundstage which is far more defined and layered compared to Chord Mojo's soundstage. Bass was also more defined with the S6. The Benchmark Dac2 HGC, at 3 times the AUNE's price, did seem more refined and alittle more hefty in build. It is fair to say the extra money will get you slightly better build quality.
More importantly, comparing only sound quality, the S6 has about 85 percent of the performance of the Benchmark which surprised me the most.

Aune has made a very nice desktop unit with the S6. It's dac is as good or better than Chord Mojo, and close to the performance of the 3x priced Benchmark Dac2 HGC. With a decent power cable, USB cable, and interconnects, you have yourself a fantastic dac/ preamp/ headphone amp, that punches well above its weight. This unit keeps up with gear costly much more, and I believe will impress most with its studio like presentation. I enjoyed my time with th AUNE S6 and was sad to see it go. I recommend this unit to anyone looking for a brutally honest and tonally neutral dac/preamp/ amp.

The benchmark dac2 HGC surprised me in many ways. The studio like sound and honest nature paired very well with the HD600. Its performance rests between my Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP integrated amp ($4399), used with a Chord 2Qute DAC ($1799), and my Chord mojo dac ($600) used with the Venture Electronics Runabout 2.0 amp ($358).j The unit and remote areboth very well built, and even for their size, have a high end appearance. The Benchmarks quad chipset Dac has a very nice analog sound, giving me the bass detail and soundstage one would expect at this price. The motorized ALPS volume pot is a key feature, keeping the soundstage perfectly balanced while adjusting. The soundstage is very wide, with clear vocal and instrument separation, and good layering. Instruments have great detail, shading, and texture, which i can find the Chord Mojo lacking during complex passes. The detail, micro detail, and soundstage depth is lacking what the Primaluna/ 2qute combo brings to the show. The HGC, however, can make up for it with its own analog sound and presentation which i have come to admire over a few months. I recommend this to anyone looking for a great reference level kit.
 
I used a 2014 Apple mac mini running Tidal hifi, to a Wyred4Sound Recovery usb Femto reclocker, to all dacs in this review. My main headphones are the Sennheiser HD600, also I used my Venture Electronics Duke IEM, and Zen 2.0 Black edition. 

Chord Mojo is hands down, the most fun portable dac to listen to under $1000.  It plays all genres equally well, and turns all my music from my phone into a sound I can feel engaged to hours on end. I cannot recommend this product enough! it pairs very well with my Venture Electronics Zen2.0 earbuds and Runabout 2.0 amp. This combo is a game ender for me for quite some time! 

The Monk Plus is opening eyes to this industry. I listen to these almost every day for their plain fun sound, and honest nature. Driven by my iphone 6s plus they are true to the recording, and addictive in so many ways. The Monk plus will scale very well with better gear. The chord Mojo, VE runabout plus and runabout 2.0, Benchmark Dac2 HGC, and Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP integrated, took the Monks to limits thought unimaginable. Resulting in better dynamics, soundstage depth, and definition. The Monks key feature is the very organic vocals and instruments have great texture. They have good imaging, and the right amount of detail. they engage you to the point after one track, you'll want to hear the entire album in Monk glory. Live acoustic recordings will be the ticket for these, in my opinion. Nils Lofgren, Acoustic Live, is a must. On track 5, "Keith Don't Go". the guitar strings float in a beautiful aura, which pulls you in. You feel right with the audience. These earbuds have lots of body, and trick me into thinking they are much more than they are. The tone will slightly change depending on using them naked, with one foam, or donut foams. The performance of the Monk will greatly depend on a good fit with your ear. With the Monk PLus, the proof is in the pudding. Forget the price tag, this is the most fun you could have with only your cell phone at hand. Sound this natural needs to be heard!!