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Aune T1 USB Tube DAC+ SS Amp Discussion Thread ***See first post for FAQ--Updated on 02/14/15***
Mar 11, 2014 at 9:44 PM Post #4,831 of 8,309
10db sound weird with my HD600. So, 16db to go. I did posted my impression but a very poor writing.
 
Mar 12, 2014 at 12:11 PM Post #4,832 of 8,309
Just got my ELNA SILMIC II. I'm picking up Panasic FR capacitors tomorrow and then I'm going to change the caps inside my Aune T1. I hope I'm not going to break it. 
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Mar 12, 2014 at 1:03 PM Post #4,833 of 8,309
Sorry to interrupt any conversations, but I'm looking for some advice on the Aune T1 and headphone amps in general.
 
I noticed in the opening post that the OP was using the RCA outs to run his powered speakers as well as hooking his headphones up to the headphone out on the T1. Does this benefit the sound of the speakers at all? While doing a little more searching I read from another user here that using a headphone amp to 'power' bookshelf speakers is pointless. I can see why, but is there a way to improve the sound of headphones as well as speakers in one small, attractive and affordable package?
 
I listen to music mostly on my computer in digital formats and I'm hoping to pick up a new set of headphones to pair with my M-Audio AV40's. I'm currently using the onboard audio chip on my motherboard. The sound is fine but I'd like to upgrade if it's possible. I'd rather an external unit than add anything inside the PC like a dedicated sound card. Any advice on this?

The headphones I'm considering are the NAD VISO HP50, Beyerdynamic DT 770 80ohms, AKG K545, Audio Technica ATH-A900X, Sennheiser Momentum and PSB M4U1.
 
Mar 12, 2014 at 2:52 PM Post #4,834 of 8,309
Allright, I couldn't wait. I just switched the caps I had the replacement for. The rest will have to wait until tomorrow.
 
Here are some pictures of the process.
 

I changed the headphone coupling caps first (right ones). ELNA Silmic II 47µF 50V. You have to bend them like that otherwise there is no other way to fit them in there. The old ones are ridiculously tiny.
 

Here are the rail voltage caps. ELNA Silmic II 470µF 25V. And they are huuuge. Good luck fitting them insde the case. I had to bend them like that .
 

 
The secondary supply caps were really tricky. I wanted to close the case so I had to improvise. I took some wire and twisted them like in the picture. This is important for reducing the inductance of the wire. I positioned the caps on the right side of the case where there is a little bit more room. Then I fixed everything with tape. Don't forget to fix the caps inside the case too. I used tape for that too. But you can't see it in this picture.
 
The main supply caps are still the old ones. I'll change them tomorrow if I got my new ones.
 

 
Puhh..and it still does turn on! I need to let the caps break in until I make my decision on the sound quality.
In the front you can see the old caps on the right side. Still got some of the ELNA Silmic II left as you can see. Always good to have some spare parts.
 
Many thanks to CoiL for suggesting the caps and more help!
 
EDIT: Holy crap. The volume with the new caps is much higher now than before. I'm sure I couldn't go that high before and I didn't change the gain setting accidentaly while changing the caps. Wow!
 
Mar 12, 2014 at 3:05 PM Post #4,835 of 8,309
angrygoldfish said:
  Sorry to interrupt any conversations, but I'm looking for some advice on the Aune T1 and headphone amps in general.
 
I noticed in the opening post that the OP was using the RCA outs to run his powered speakers as well as hooking his headphones up to the headphone out on the T1. Does this benefit the sound of the speakers at all? While doing a little more searching I read from another user here that using a headphone amp to 'power' bookshelf speakers is pointless. I can see why, but is there a way to improve the sound of headphones as well as speakers in one small, attractive and affordable package?
 
I listen to music mostly on my computer in digital formats and I'm hoping to pick up a new set of headphones to pair with my M-Audio AV40's. I'm currently using the onboard audio chip on my motherboard. The sound is fine but I'd like to upgrade if it's possible. I'd rather an external unit than add anything inside the PC like a dedicated sound card. Any advice on this?

The headphones I'm considering are the NAD VISO HP50, Beyerdynamic DT 770 80ohms, AKG K545, Audio Technica ATH-A900X, Sennheiser Momentum and PSB M4U1.
Click to expand...

The Aune has far too little power to drive normal speakers without any amplifier. You need a power amp for that. You then can connect your power amp to the T1 using the RCA outs on the back. I can't really give any recommendation on this topic because I solely use headphones.
 
I personally use Beyerdynamic DT 770 80Ohms that I bought a while ago and I love it. Everything from the bass to the highs are good enough for me. 
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Also it depends on what tube you are going to use in the Aune. I have some tubes that will kill you with the highs. Then there are other tubes that are a perfect mix of everything. You have to try it for yourself.
 
I bought the Aune T1 because my computer was not powerful enough to drive the DT 770 to its full potential. Best decision I ever made. I can't stop listening to music anymore.
 
Mar 12, 2014 at 4:57 PM Post #4,836 of 8,309
elbartome said:
  The Aune has far too little power to drive normal speakers without any amplifier. You need a power amp for that. You then can connect your power amp to the T1 using the RCA outs on the back. I can't really give any recommendation on this topic because I solely use headphones.
 
I personally use Beyerdynamic DT 770 80Ohms that I bought a while ago and I love it. Everything from the bass to the highs are good enough for me. 
atsmile.gif

Also it depends on what tube you are going to use in the Aune. I have some tubes that will kill you with the highs. Then there are other tubes that are a perfect mix of everything. You have to try it for yourself.
 
I bought the Aune T1 because my computer was not powerful enough to drive the DT 770 to its full potential. Best decision I ever made. I can't stop listening to music anymore.
Click to expand...

 
The M-Audio speakers are already powered—well, the right one is powered—and are connected via the RCA left and out outputs to my PC.
 
My motherboard says it can power up 600 ohm headphones, but I don't know what the wattage is to power the sensitivity, or lack thereof, and efficiency, or lack thereof, of the 250ohm DT 770's, or even the 600 ohm versions.
 
For lower impedance headphones, such as 32ohms, although a headphone amp won't be necessary even for portable devices, would it improve the sound?
 
Mar 12, 2014 at 5:29 PM Post #4,837 of 8,309
angrygoldfish said:
   
The M-Audio speakers are already powered—well, the right one is powered—and are connected via the RCA left and out outputs to my PC.
 
My motherboard says it can power up 600 ohm headphones, but I don't know what the wattage is to power the sensitivity, or lack thereof, and efficiency, or lack thereof, of the 250ohm DT 770's, or even the 600 ohm versions.
 
For lower impedance headphones, such as 32ohms, although a headphone amp won't be necessary even for portable devices, would it improve the sound?
Click to expand...

 
I think it will improve the sound. The DAC in the Aune is just superb. The DACs on the mainboards I had were always a little shallow and they also had a lot of noise from the EMI inside the case. Getting an external DAC is always better in my opinion. But be careful with the gain setting and low impedance headphones. It will blow your headphone and your head too. 
wink.gif

 
I'm also a big sucker for tubes and tube rolling is just so much fun. So take my opinion with a grain of salt. 
 
I mostly used my speakers before but since getting the Aune I really don't feel the desire to use them. I did not connect them to the Aune. Maybe I'll give it a try. But my speakers are so old and beaten up I don't think it will make a huge difference.
 
Mar 12, 2014 at 6:05 PM Post #4,838 of 8,309
Yeah, I'm a sucker for tubes as well. I use tube amplifiers as a guitarist, but much bigger, louder ones. One of my amps was designed to have its preamp tubes swapped with other variations of the same thing, but it doesn't change the sound enough to warrant worrying about it.
 
What I could do might be considered a bit extreme, but it makes sense to me:

First pick up the headphones. If I go with the DT 770 80 ohm headphones, I'll need the Aune T1 or equivalent pretty much straight away. But I could afford it because the Beyerdynamics are not expensive. If I go with the AKG's or NAD's, I can use my onboard audio for a while as I recoup my losses. Then I can invest in the Aune T1 and power my headphones with them, more as a signal enhancer than a poweramp. Then I can buy a Asus Xonar Essence ST and install it in my computer and use it to drive my speakers. I think that would be a sweet set-up.
 
Mar 12, 2014 at 6:12 PM Post #4,839 of 8,309
What you need in order to use them with speakers is a AV Receiver that has pre-amp inputs.  Mine has it (Yamaha RX-V863), but I have never bothered trying it.
 
Mar 13, 2014 at 4:10 PM Post #4,840 of 8,309
Allright, just got my Valvo E288CC.
 

 
You can read the review in my review post: http://www.head-fi.org/t/633006/aune-t1-usb-tube-dac-amp-discussion-thread-see-first-post-for-faq/4770#post_10326536
 
You can also read about changing the caps in the T1 and also what effect this does!
 
Mar 13, 2014 at 5:09 PM Post #4,841 of 8,309
elbartome said:
  Allright, just got my Valvo E288CC.
 

 
You can read the review in my review post: http://www.head-fi.org/t/633006/aune-t1-usb-tube-dac-amp-discussion-thread-see-first-post-for-faq/4770#post_10326536
 
You can also read about changing the caps in the T1 and also what effect this does!
Click to expand...

I think it's more about the sound then anything else ..no?
 
Mar 13, 2014 at 5:21 PM Post #4,843 of 8,309
"well" since you are in to Valvo so much ..try this 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Valvo-E88CC-OldStock-CCa-E88CC-6DJ8-6922-CV2492-CV2493-CV5358-CV5472-/171265077495?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item27e031b0f7
 
Mar 13, 2014 at 8:33 PM Post #4,845 of 8,309
I just hooked up my new Shure SE846 to the Aune T1 with the stock 6922EH Electro Harmonix tube, and although aunes output impedance is a high 5 ohm and the iem has only 9 ohm impedance, I cant complain. Loving it!
 
Now I'm looking to upgrade the tubes....caps some other time when I actually have more time...
 
Do you have a review about these valvo tubes? They look nice!
 
Thx
 
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