Aune T1 USB Tube DAC+ SS Amp Discussion Thread ***See first post for FAQ--Updated on 02/14/15***
Apr 22, 2014 at 6:12 AM Post #5,116 of 8,309
hi stjj89,
I'm sure the aune t1 dac can be improved upon but it's about bang for your buck. We all (mostly) have to live within a budget.
 
Given the Aune T1 performance and the ability to roll the valves to change the sound signature to match you headphones, I doubt there is anything more flexible this side of 300.
 
The chatter on the forum also suggests the aune greatly benefits from a general upgrading of the capacitors. So there is still further room for improvement. 
 
As to your other question, as I said, the bossfet is so neutral and transparent that I hear the tube signature perhaps even better than before. It's not a negative to have good amplification connected to the difficult (comparatively) load of the headphones, controlling the speaker cone. The aune does an excellent job in this setup, driving the easier standard phone load. I will have to upgrade the caps in the future though.
 
Many thanks on the forum for all the pics on the best way to upgrade the caps and which ones to switch out.  A picture says a thousand words.
 
As to the Audio-GD NFB-10ES3 I've not heard it. I'm happy with what I have at the moment and I have stopped looking at other equipment reviews (that's a lie I did read the review here on the new HE-560, damn I've started drooling again).
 
If your patient someone will eventually do a comparison. 
 
Apr 22, 2014 at 2:58 PM Post #5,117 of 8,309
I've been playing around switching between the E17 and Aune T1 w/ Amperex Orange Globe tube and the main things I notice when using them with the M-100 are:
 
Sound stage (where the tip of the bottom of the \ / designates the position of the listener)
 
E17:  \  /
T1:   \     /
 
Stereo Imaging
 
E17: Extends about shoulder width from ear to ear
T1: Extends to between shoulders and elbows if arms are held out like an airplane
 
Frequencies
 
Bass: E17>T1 - I'm giving it to the E17, by a very small margin, since it renders bass stronger both in impact and presence. Since most of my music is pop/rock I like the stronger bass, but switching to more acoustical music, the reduced bass actually benefits the sound.
 
Mids: T1>E17 - Mids sound more forward on the E17, but lack a certain air. The smaller sound stage and more aggressive imaging overall make for a more congested listening environment. The T1 with its larger sound stage coupled with the reduced bass allow the mids to breathe more. On certain tracks it sounds like the singer is standing in the center of a semi-circle surrounded by instruments on a medium-sized stage. Each instrument has its place in 3D space and is easy to pick out.
 
Trebles: T1>E17 - Highs are more pronounced on the E17, while the T1 renders them a bit quieter but with better imaging and decay. I almost had this as a tie, but the more I listened the more I preferred how the T1 handled the sound. It seems more natural whereas the E17 sounds electronic.
 
The stock 6922EH tube that came with the T1 sounds pretty much the same as the E17 with minor sonic differences but nothing to put one above the other. My recently acquired Amperex Bugle Boy 6DJ8 sounds good, but I haven't listened enough for any detailed impressions.
 
Apr 22, 2014 at 4:23 PM Post #5,118 of 8,309
  I've been playing around switching between the E17 and Aune T1 w/ Amperex Orange Globe tube and the main things I notice when using them with the M-100 are:
 
Sound stage (where the tip of the bottom of the \ / designates the position of the listener)
 
E17:  \  /
T1:   \     /
 
Stereo Imaging
 
E17: Extends about shoulder width from ear to ear
T1: Extends to between shoulders and elbows if arms are held out like an airplane
 
Frequencies
 
Bass: E17>T1 - I'm giving it to the E17, by a very small margin, since it renders bass stronger both in impact and presence. Since most of my music is pop/rock I like the stronger bass, but switching to more acoustical music, the reduced bass actually benefits the sound.
 
Mids: T1>E17 - Mids sound more forward on the E17, but lack a certain air. The smaller sound stage and more aggressive imaging overall make for a more congested listening environment. The T1 with its larger sound stage coupled with the reduced bass allow the mids to breathe more. On certain tracks it sounds like the singer is standing in the center of a semi-circle surrounded by instruments on a medium-sized stage. Each instrument has its place in 3D space and is easy to pick out.
 
Trebles: T1>E17 - Highs are more pronounced on the E17, while the T1 renders them a bit quieter but with better imaging and decay. I almost had this as a tie, but the more I listened the more I preferred how the T1 handled the sound. It seems more natural whereas the E17 sounds electronic.
 
The stock 6922EH tube that came with the T1 sounds pretty much the same as the E17 with minor sonic differences but nothing to put one above the other. My recently acquired Amperex Bugle Boy 6DJ8 sounds good, but I haven't listened enough for any detailed impressions.

Thanks for the comparison. How many hours do you have on the OG? I've been listening for less than 15 hours on mine and find the imaging/decay to be superb, although I find the tube extremely bright. Staging is also very wide, but bass is definitely not as full sounding as some of the other tubes I was rolling. (I don't exactly have any issues with the lack of bass, just note worthy).
 
Just wondering how signature of the OG changes as it breaks in, and how long it takes...
Mine is an A frame Holland, marked triangle OJ4.
 
Apr 22, 2014 at 6:34 PM Post #5,119 of 8,309
Thanks for the comparison. How many hours do you have on the OG? I've been listening for less than 15 hours on mine and find the imaging/decay to be superb, although I find the tube extremely bright. Staging is also very wide, but bass is definitely not as full sounding as some of the other tubes I was rolling. (I don't exactly have any issues with the lack of bass, just note worthy).

Just wondering how signature of the OG changes as it breaks in, and how long it takes...
Mine is an A frame Holland, marked triangle OJ4.

I bought my OGs second hand, not NOS, so I don't know how many hours they have. I don't have them with me at the moment but they are definitely from Holland.

I have no problem with brightness since the M-100 is a dark, bass-heavy can. I think that's why the OG complements it so well. The Bugle Boy, from my short time with it, sounds like a more spacious 6922EH with a similar bass punch and improved mids. The sound is livelier and less clinical than the stock tube, but it still falls behind the OG.
 
Apr 23, 2014 at 11:44 PM Post #5,120 of 8,309
I feel like its xmas lol. Just won these for less than $5 shipped thx to ebay coupon for just changing a setting the other day. Have a look at the pics from the listing, looks decent and legit doesn't it?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Amperex-brand-orange-globe-6DJ8-ECC88-audio-tubes-made-by-Matsu****a-/221418094298?nma=true&si=KStruMWfIrkdoiAxoBWDoZQtp3c%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
 

Yea so just wanna say I guess tube rolling is a sickness lol, although I only got these for the coupon and plus ones I have already are dimple disk these are O getter so thought for less than $2.00 per tube why not , they have real nice test readings too.
 
Apr 24, 2014 at 1:26 AM Post #5,121 of 8,309
Hi, I have been using the Tungsram E88CC for the last few days and I believe at least 30 hours of playback from POP to JAZZ to R&B. The music from T1 is just so sweet. Bass is solid, very clear on every drum beat, mids are clear and lots of clarity (birds chirping in the background on Jennifer Warnes' True Emotion track). I'm really enjoying my T1 with this tube so much that it makes me want to "cry".
 
Initially, after reading thru 294 pages, I was thinking of changing the internal caps but now I will just enjoy my music as much as I can. I got this tube for RMB100 (about 12 euro) including shipping. Totally eargasm.
 
Apr 24, 2014 at 1:58 AM Post #5,122 of 8,309
I made a little shelf today on my IKEA Expedit bookshelf beside my component cabinet. It's to hold/display some tubes for the Aune. Here is a quick shot.



Anyone have a display of their own? Always interested in other ideas.

 
Here's my solution:
 

 

 

 
Apr 24, 2014 at 6:11 AM Post #5,123 of 8,309
So, I have my Aune T1 connected via USB to my ASUS G73SW notebook, running with an Amperex E88CC. 

I am playing my HD-600s and Fidelio X1s through them this way; using gain.

Is this a good enough set-up, or am I missing something?
 
Apr 24, 2014 at 12:12 PM Post #5,125 of 8,309
I feel like its xmas lol. Just won these for less than $5 shipped thx to ebay coupon for just changing a setting the other day. Have a look at the pics from the listing, looks decent and legit doesn't it?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Amperex-brand-orange-globe-6DJ8-ECC88-audio-tubes-made-by-Matsu****a-/221418094298?nma=true&si=KStruMWfIrkdoiAxoBWDoZQtp3c%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557


Very funny, I was going to place a bid for those exact tubes yesterday. I went for a pair of orange globe a frames instead. Let us know how they sound when you get them.
 
Apr 24, 2014 at 1:09 PM Post #5,129 of 8,309
This might be a dumb question, forgive me if it is...

If I wanted to hook up my Aune T1 to an amp and speakers, would it be better to go with a solid state amp, or a tube amp?
I'm thinking solid state since there is already a buffer tube in the Aune... if I used another tube amp would it alter the sound too much?

Just wondering. I ended up buying a SS amp and some speakers today (waiting a couple of weeks for them to come in), but I was considering getting a SE tube amp in the future.


I tried using T1 with iFi iTube (set as a tube buffer) to a SS amp. Sounds great. No noticeable slowness in dynamics. And I believe someone in this thread is linking T1 with a tube amp.
 

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