kytuphicanh
Member of the Trade: DIY Amp Builder - AKA tranhieuBanned: Multiple Profiles & Incomplete Sales
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2005
- Posts
- 186
- Likes
- 20
Intro
Aune has successfully builds their reputation in the audiophiles’ community and market for quite a long time by their entry-level products. Their most notable product was the entry-level DAC/Amp combo T1, which was a big hit and serious contender in the $200 range, and has been replaced by its new version, the T1 MKII. Recently, the company has decided to take the next step and expand their product range upward by releasing several mid-end products. Their most recent addition to the line is the Aune S16, a mid-priced all-in-one hi-fi solution, combined of an AKM’s AK4495SEQ-based DAC and a headphone amplifier.
The new S16 Is a $700 device which covers all expected features one might have for this kind of product. DSD-capable Hi-res USB input, a hi-fi quality AKM DAC, high quality integrated headphones amplifier, digital filters, SE and balance DAC output (for using the DAC function only), a nice and pretty LCD display, etc. It is clear that the company has tried its best into perfecting this product and expands their product line into a higher market segment.
Design – Technical Specifications
The overall design and build quality of the product is clearly an upgrade from the company’s previous products. A nice, black aluminum enclosure with the display LCD, volume knob, 6.3 mm headphone jack, power, input selector, and mute buttons on the front.
The power switch, USB, Coaxial and Optical inputs, SE and Balance output and power input lie on the rear.
Based on the look, and a one week period experience using the product, it is safe to conclude that the build quality of this product is top-notch, a clear upgrade from previous Aune’s products.
Here is the diagram showing the layout of the Aune S16 provided by Aune.
We can also find some information about the component inside on the company's website. The heart of the product is the top-of-the-line DAC chip from AKM, AK4495SEQ. USB input uses XMOS receiver chip, which supports non-synchronous transmission. The product also uses Analogue Device’s IC ADUM for usb input, the same component used in famous usb transport like Berkeley Alpha for digital isolation purpose and FIFO buffer technology, with ALTERA FPGA chip and two Crystek’s CCHD-957 clocks (retail price ~$50 each) to minimize jitter. Hmmm, seems very good.
Gear used:
This is the list of gear I used to test the S16:
I used a plentiful range of headphones, from IEM to full-size headphones to test the headphones output of the product: Heir 4A custom IEM, Beyer’s DT880 premium 250 Ohm, the notorious Sennheiser’s HD800.
For testing the DAC part only, I used both the S16’s balance and SE output to feed to the Audio GD’s Master 9 headphone Amplifier.
In the testing process, I also use Audiobyte’s Hydra X+ in order to comparing with the S16’s USB input, which uses high quality parts. I also use a DAC from Audio-GD, the ESS9018-based NFB-1 and a product from CEntrance, the Dacmini to compare the USB input of all three of them.
Sound
At first, I used the USB input, and plug headphone directly to the S16’s headphone output. I was able to play any hi-res PCM and DSD materials with ease without any problems, just after installing XMOS USB driver provided by the manufacturer.
The Heir 4A will be the first subject. Right after plugged in, without playing music and with any volume level, the background is dead silent, no noise detected. The device can drive sensitive IEM with no problem.
My first impression with the DAC with the Heir 4A and the DT880 is a clean, transient presentation. I immediately knew that this DAC will be a big contestant in the $700 price range. The presentation is airy, with plenty of clarity and refinement.
The low end is impactful and detailed. The bass extension is strength of the product. Bass quantity is not very plenty, but sufficient for people who prefer a more neutral bass signature. When I pair it with the HD800, one thing I notice is that although the bass is detailed and have a nice extension, the bass is quite “thin” and does not posses enough impact. But with the Heir 4A, the matter becomes totally different. I suggest that the integrated headphone amp is not quite enough to drive a notorious “picky” headphone like the HD800. Another full-size headphone that I tried is the DT880, the bass still suffers the same problem with the HD800 but to a lesser degree.
The mid-range is neither forward or recessed no colored and have nice detail. The upper mid-range is definitely the strong point of the product, it is very airy and detailed.
The high area has great extension, and quite nice detail. Pairing with the HD800 directly via the headphone output, the treble is slightly “hot” for my taste, but with the DT880, the treble is more controlled, nice extension with great detail.
Soundstage and imaging is phenomenal with the Heir 4A and the Dt880, wide soundstage and it has one of the best soundstage and imaging I’ve heard in the price range. With the HD800, the infamous soundstage of the HD800 is there, wide-wise, but it lacks some depth and imaging is not the best.
Overall, the S16 has a quite neutral and detailed sound signature, very slightly north of neutral, with a wide soundstage, with its strong points being its upper-midrange and high.
After trying the direct headphone output, I’ve plugged the S16 to a headphone amp, the top-of-the-line headphone amp of Audio-GD, the Master 9 via balance output to further evaluate the DAC part of the product. With the Master-9, the DAC now shows its true potential, especially with the HD800. The low-end become fuller, with better impact and body. Treble is now more controlled, still with an amazing amount of details. The most important thing is the soundstage, very wide, with amazing depth and imaging. Based on these experience, I could conclude that the DAC part of the S16 is quite amazing for its price and has great capability; the included headphone amp is good for driving easy to drive headphones and IEM, some of the mid-range headphones, but not hard to drive picky one like the HD800.
Comparison
After listening to the DAC USB input, I was very curious in how it could fare against one of the best transport in the market at the moment, because the S16 uses very high quality parts in for the USB input. So I’ve tried to compare with the same S16 using the Audiobyte Hydra X+. The result is rather surprising. The difference is there, but it is not night and day. When using the Hydra X+, the sound becomes a little bit fuller, with better coherent, better bass and imaging, but all changes are very subtle, unlike other DAC, like the Audio-GD NFB-1. With the NFB-1, the difference is more clearly and noticeable. Aune has done a pretty good job implementing the USB input of the S16.
Comparing with other DAC in this price range, the S16 definitely does not fall short. Comparing to the Audio-GD NFB-1, DAC section only, using USB input and combining with the Master 9, the sound signature of the two products is slightly different. While both DAC are very detailed, but the NFB-1 focus slightly more on the analytical side, while the S16 is slightly more musical. The amount of detail of the NFB-1 is slightly superior, with a more upfront presentation. Both DAC are amazingly good for the price, and to conclude we must based on personal preference and taste.
Comparing with the CEntrance Dacmini, which uses another DAC chip from AKM, the AK4396, S16 excels. The difference is not very big but noticeable. From the low end to the high frequency, and soundstage and imaging, the S16 is a little bit better in every aspect. The bass has more extension and impact, the mid-range and high are more detailed overall. Soundstage of the S16 has more depth. The S16 simply sounds more refined overall, with better detail and control over all aspect.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the S16 is an extraordinary capable DAC, for its price of course. The DAC section is simply amazing. The included headphone amp is good enough, adequate to drive any headphones. The USB input is especially good comparing with other DAC in this price range. Amazing sound, lot of nice features, good build quality, what else to ask? By this new product, Aune has proved that they are not only limited to entry-level product. The Aune S16 is a solid choice, comparable with existing Yulong’s and Audio-GD’s products, and I will not be surprise if Aune expand their product line further and become a big player in the market. Highly recommended
Aune has successfully builds their reputation in the audiophiles’ community and market for quite a long time by their entry-level products. Their most notable product was the entry-level DAC/Amp combo T1, which was a big hit and serious contender in the $200 range, and has been replaced by its new version, the T1 MKII. Recently, the company has decided to take the next step and expand their product range upward by releasing several mid-end products. Their most recent addition to the line is the Aune S16, a mid-priced all-in-one hi-fi solution, combined of an AKM’s AK4495SEQ-based DAC and a headphone amplifier.
The new S16 Is a $700 device which covers all expected features one might have for this kind of product. DSD-capable Hi-res USB input, a hi-fi quality AKM DAC, high quality integrated headphones amplifier, digital filters, SE and balance DAC output (for using the DAC function only), a nice and pretty LCD display, etc. It is clear that the company has tried its best into perfecting this product and expands their product line into a higher market segment.
Design – Technical Specifications
The overall design and build quality of the product is clearly an upgrade from the company’s previous products. A nice, black aluminum enclosure with the display LCD, volume knob, 6.3 mm headphone jack, power, input selector, and mute buttons on the front.
The power switch, USB, Coaxial and Optical inputs, SE and Balance output and power input lie on the rear.
Based on the look, and a one week period experience using the product, it is safe to conclude that the build quality of this product is top-notch, a clear upgrade from previous Aune’s products.
Here is the diagram showing the layout of the Aune S16 provided by Aune.
We can also find some information about the component inside on the company's website. The heart of the product is the top-of-the-line DAC chip from AKM, AK4495SEQ. USB input uses XMOS receiver chip, which supports non-synchronous transmission. The product also uses Analogue Device’s IC ADUM for usb input, the same component used in famous usb transport like Berkeley Alpha for digital isolation purpose and FIFO buffer technology, with ALTERA FPGA chip and two Crystek’s CCHD-957 clocks (retail price ~$50 each) to minimize jitter. Hmmm, seems very good.
Gear used:
This is the list of gear I used to test the S16:
I used a plentiful range of headphones, from IEM to full-size headphones to test the headphones output of the product: Heir 4A custom IEM, Beyer’s DT880 premium 250 Ohm, the notorious Sennheiser’s HD800.
For testing the DAC part only, I used both the S16’s balance and SE output to feed to the Audio GD’s Master 9 headphone Amplifier.
In the testing process, I also use Audiobyte’s Hydra X+ in order to comparing with the S16’s USB input, which uses high quality parts. I also use a DAC from Audio-GD, the ESS9018-based NFB-1 and a product from CEntrance, the Dacmini to compare the USB input of all three of them.
Sound
At first, I used the USB input, and plug headphone directly to the S16’s headphone output. I was able to play any hi-res PCM and DSD materials with ease without any problems, just after installing XMOS USB driver provided by the manufacturer.
The Heir 4A will be the first subject. Right after plugged in, without playing music and with any volume level, the background is dead silent, no noise detected. The device can drive sensitive IEM with no problem.
My first impression with the DAC with the Heir 4A and the DT880 is a clean, transient presentation. I immediately knew that this DAC will be a big contestant in the $700 price range. The presentation is airy, with plenty of clarity and refinement.
The low end is impactful and detailed. The bass extension is strength of the product. Bass quantity is not very plenty, but sufficient for people who prefer a more neutral bass signature. When I pair it with the HD800, one thing I notice is that although the bass is detailed and have a nice extension, the bass is quite “thin” and does not posses enough impact. But with the Heir 4A, the matter becomes totally different. I suggest that the integrated headphone amp is not quite enough to drive a notorious “picky” headphone like the HD800. Another full-size headphone that I tried is the DT880, the bass still suffers the same problem with the HD800 but to a lesser degree.
The mid-range is neither forward or recessed no colored and have nice detail. The upper mid-range is definitely the strong point of the product, it is very airy and detailed.
The high area has great extension, and quite nice detail. Pairing with the HD800 directly via the headphone output, the treble is slightly “hot” for my taste, but with the DT880, the treble is more controlled, nice extension with great detail.
Soundstage and imaging is phenomenal with the Heir 4A and the Dt880, wide soundstage and it has one of the best soundstage and imaging I’ve heard in the price range. With the HD800, the infamous soundstage of the HD800 is there, wide-wise, but it lacks some depth and imaging is not the best.
Overall, the S16 has a quite neutral and detailed sound signature, very slightly north of neutral, with a wide soundstage, with its strong points being its upper-midrange and high.
After trying the direct headphone output, I’ve plugged the S16 to a headphone amp, the top-of-the-line headphone amp of Audio-GD, the Master 9 via balance output to further evaluate the DAC part of the product. With the Master-9, the DAC now shows its true potential, especially with the HD800. The low-end become fuller, with better impact and body. Treble is now more controlled, still with an amazing amount of details. The most important thing is the soundstage, very wide, with amazing depth and imaging. Based on these experience, I could conclude that the DAC part of the S16 is quite amazing for its price and has great capability; the included headphone amp is good for driving easy to drive headphones and IEM, some of the mid-range headphones, but not hard to drive picky one like the HD800.
Comparison
After listening to the DAC USB input, I was very curious in how it could fare against one of the best transport in the market at the moment, because the S16 uses very high quality parts in for the USB input. So I’ve tried to compare with the same S16 using the Audiobyte Hydra X+. The result is rather surprising. The difference is there, but it is not night and day. When using the Hydra X+, the sound becomes a little bit fuller, with better coherent, better bass and imaging, but all changes are very subtle, unlike other DAC, like the Audio-GD NFB-1. With the NFB-1, the difference is more clearly and noticeable. Aune has done a pretty good job implementing the USB input of the S16.
Comparing with other DAC in this price range, the S16 definitely does not fall short. Comparing to the Audio-GD NFB-1, DAC section only, using USB input and combining with the Master 9, the sound signature of the two products is slightly different. While both DAC are very detailed, but the NFB-1 focus slightly more on the analytical side, while the S16 is slightly more musical. The amount of detail of the NFB-1 is slightly superior, with a more upfront presentation. Both DAC are amazingly good for the price, and to conclude we must based on personal preference and taste.
Comparing with the CEntrance Dacmini, which uses another DAC chip from AKM, the AK4396, S16 excels. The difference is not very big but noticeable. From the low end to the high frequency, and soundstage and imaging, the S16 is a little bit better in every aspect. The bass has more extension and impact, the mid-range and high are more detailed overall. Soundstage of the S16 has more depth. The S16 simply sounds more refined overall, with better detail and control over all aspect.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the S16 is an extraordinary capable DAC, for its price of course. The DAC section is simply amazing. The included headphone amp is good enough, adequate to drive any headphones. The USB input is especially good comparing with other DAC in this price range. Amazing sound, lot of nice features, good build quality, what else to ask? By this new product, Aune has proved that they are not only limited to entry-level product. The Aune S16 is a solid choice, comparable with existing Yulong’s and Audio-GD’s products, and I will not be surprise if Aune expand their product line further and become a big player in the market. Highly recommended
