General Information

Aune M1p Digital Analog Player

Balanced Output - FPGA Hardware Decoding - Clock Synchronization​

The M1p is the 3rd generation of the aune M1 portable music player series. With the freescale™ 600M processor and the hardware decoding frame, it managed to support 32bit/768k and DSD512 decoding. It also uses the FPGA algorithm and the DAC clock synchronization technology. The Bluetooth edition supports HD Bluetooth receiving and transmitting. The M1p is the mastertape-level portable music player that purely focuses on sound.

The Special Frame​

From 8 Years’Iteration​

Had a bunch of Android/Linux players? It’s time to feel the charm of the pure player. The M1p’s frame is similar to the CD player, focusing on audio decoding. The whole CPU is only for reproduction. Pure and Simple.

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Supports Multiple Formats​

And High Resolution​

The hardware-decoding M1 series, this time, overcame the technology difficulties and managed to support 32bit/768k DSD512. More details and better sound quality is what you are going to experience.

The Mobile HiFi System​

And No Compromise​

An M1p, plus a pair of HiFi headphones. There, your mobile HiFi system is built. Now you can enjoy HiFi wherever you are.

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Also a Bluetooth DAC/Amp Combo​

With FPGA Algorithm and Balanced Outputs​

The M1p Bluetooth edition is the combination of player and Bluetooth DAC with headphone amp. The FPGA outputs Bluetooth signals to the DAC, and the amp part has 3 headphone outputs: 3.5mm/4.4mm/2.5mm. It can work as a high quality Bluetooth DAC with headphone amp. (Bluetooth Edition Only)

Also a mobile HD Bluetooth Transmitter​

Insert your microSD card, play the mastertape-level music files, and the M1p Bluetooth edition, via the built-in CSR8675 module, can transmit high-definition Bluetooth signals to your Bluetooth headphones or speakers (supports aptX HD transmission). It is a mobile audio center. (Bluetooth Edition Only)

Super Fast Startup​

The Special Pure Underlying Hardware Decoding System​

The underlying hardware decoding system and the balanced frame discard ASRC, and guarantee the signal transmission quality.

The Combination of Asynchronous Regeneration​

And Clock Synchronization​

The M1p has this special hardware decoding frame. ARM - FPGA uses ultra-low-jitter dual clock to realize asynchronous regeneration, and then clock synchronization for FPGA - DAC. The sound is transparent and natural.

Balanced Outputs​

Wide Soundstage​

The M1p has headphone outputs of single-ended 3.5mm, balanced 2.5mm and 4.4mm. Four independent amps inside. It has great power and wide soundstage.

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A Pure HiFi Player​

Sound Is Everything​

Designed for the sound. Pure and simple.

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Powerful​

The Large and Complex Power Supply Frame​

The large and complex power supply frame, with the classic positive and negative power supply circuit and the two-stage low-ripple voltage regulation, guarantees the large dynamic range, the fine details and the naturalness.

High-Quality Components​

Details Make the Difference​

The HiFi frame, together with the high-quality components like the low-ripple voltage regulator chip for DAC, independent volume control chip, the ultra-low-jitter AS318B oscillator and the C0G capacitor, guarantees the sound quality.

High Spec​

The Basis of Excellent Sound​

After several optimizations that took 6 months, according to the actual measurements, the M1p’s THD+N has reached -112dB and SNR has reached 102dB. Excellent specs is the basis of excellent sound.

Latest reviews

NewEve

1000+ Head-Fier
Aune M1P
Pros: - Natural and engaging top-tier sound for an unmatched price
- Form factor
Cons: - Workflow required to load songs onto the device
- Case design

A pure audio player. This is what Aune Audio aims for with their M1P. With a marketing reminiscent of the late 1990s, early 2000s Hi-Fi and CD players, how does the M1P fares against the competition, including a top-tier audio player from Sony?


The object — With a form factor similar yet thinner than the Sony NW-ZX300 and 507, the M1P is pretty much perfect and will fit your hand like a glove. Its leather case will help those who find it a tad too small/slippery.

The all black, lightweight, aluminium construction is good and the USB-C, 3.5, 2.5 and 4.4mm connectors are decent. The wheel, which is one only in shape, has nicely machined grooves reminiscent of volume knobs found on Hi-Fi equipments.

—​

Functionalities & UI — The button layout is well done though some will take a few tries to get used to.

The UI is straightforward and does the job. There's some surprising satisfaction at browsing through one's music collection without artwork. As one of those who need to 'connect' with their player, the M1P very much delivers on that front although in an unusual way for this day and age — in that regard it fulfils the job of a pure audio player particularly well.

The main issue the M1P faces is the fact that one cannot use the USB cable to transfer music onto its micro SD card. One will have to remove the card, load the songs onto it and put it back in the player. To make matters worse, the card slot can be finicky and, if one uses the case, it has to be removed to access the card — someone clearly didn't think things through here.

Moreover, the format the player use will require you to rename some of the file names in your music collection if you, like me, buy your music which often comes with an extensive file naming convention. Last but not least, the battery life is as advertised although, when not in use, depletes quickly after 2-3 days.

—​

Sound — The M1P sounds natural in all positive ways — and does so whether one uses the single-ended or balanced outputs which Aune has implemented equally well, contrary to other manufacturers (staring at you A&K and Sony).

Expecting a cold, neutral, reference sound, my ears were welcomed by a naturally engaging and musical sound which is neither cold, nor warm, nor lacking in, well, anything really.

In terms of filters, I used the player's DAC default filter listed by ESS for their ES9038Q2M: Adodizing, Fast Roll-Off, Linear Phase Filter (see post #158 for more) — which is not the M1P's default filter.

—​

Comparison — Albeit we’re talking about two very different devices from a convenience, form-factor, weight and price standpoint; the Aune M1P competes with the Sony NW-WM1AM2 from a pure sound standpoint — which speaks volumes.

Via the Grado SR325x, single-ended — The M1P has slightly more depths, details and better dynamics all the while remaining an extremely analog, natural, listen.
The Sony has a slightly bigger soundstage and more low-end body as well as a slightly more analogue/realistic decay. It is more ‘delicate’ on some tracks which will make it sound more analog/realistic than the Aune yet this can similarity make it sound a tad too laid back on some other tracks. ‘Minute’ differences here.

Via the Fir VxV, balanced — Balanced is clearly a much better implemented output than single-ended on the WM1AM2 and Aune seems to have avoided the A&K / Sony route and properly implemented both single-ended and balanced outputs.
Balanced, the Sony edges the Aune with better depths, details and dynamics, all the while maintaining composure and being less forward than the Aune. The WM1AM2 sound now also breathes more and feels less focused than the M1P in comparison. Again, 'minute' differences here.

Via the Nightjar Acoustics Singularity, balanced (28-01-2024 edit) — Significant difference were noted in favour of the WM1AM2 paired with the Nightjar Acoustics Singularity where more details, space and an overall analog sound could be heard. The M1p still held its own yet, contrary to the aforementioned pairing, here the differences were obvious.

Files used: CD-quality FLAC bought from Qobuz

—​

Conclusion — If one is willing to go through the workflow of loading songs on a micro SD card and renaming a few files along the way and doesn't need to do this every day/too often; the Aune M1P is an absolute no brainer for anyone after top-tier sound for an unmatched price.



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pradiptacr7

100+ Head-Fier
AUNE M1p REVIEW
Pros: Top-tier Sounding DAP, 2.5mm and 4.4mm both Balanced Output options, Great Power Output, Simple and fast Software, Great Value for Money
Cons: Battery life is not up to the mark, Lack of Touchscreen, Gets Warm
Introduction: -
Aune is a highly reputed HiFi audio brand based in China. They excel in the research and development of high-quality audio decoders and amplifiers known as DAC/AMPs. The brand has a wide range of HiFi gear both in desktop and portable categories that fit every buyer’s need and budget. Aune M1p is Aune's latest purely offline Hi-Resolution digital audio player. It has two different versions, the Standard Version retails at US$ 369.00 and Bluetooth Version retails at US$ 399.00. The M1p is the 3rd generation of the Aune M1 portable music player series. With the Freescale™ 600M processor and the hardware decoding frame, it managed to support 32bit/768k and DSD512 decoding. It also uses the FPGA algorithm and the DAC clock synchronization technology. We as the team of audiophiles at Aural Café believe that it’s the power supply and the quality of components that matter more than the number of DAC Chips when it comes to sound quality and Aune has focused a lot on the quality of power supply in Aune M1p although it is just a US$ 399 player. The Aune M1p has a large and complex power supply frame, with the classic positive and negative circuit and the two-stage low-ripple voltage regulation, guaranteeing a large dynamic range, fine details and naturalness. The Aune m1p has high-quality components like the low-ripple voltage regulator chip for DAC, independent volume control, the ultra-low-jitter AS318B oscillator and the C0G capacitor, which results in a bit neutral yet musical-sounding DAP.

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Specifications: -
• DAC Used: ES9038Q2M
• Recommended headphone impedance: 8-600Ω
• THD+N: 0.00021%@1kHz.
• Headphone outputs: SE 3.5mm, BAL 2.5mm, BAL 4.4mm
• Power: 130mW@32Ω(SE), 280mW@32Ω(Bal)
• DNR: 120dB
• Noise: 2.5uVrms
• Max Level: 4.57 Vrms@Bal, 2.2Vrms@SE output
• Memory card: microSD (supports sizes up to 1TB, exFAT, FAT32 format)
• Supported formats: WAV- Up to 32Bit/768KHz, FLAC- Up to 24Bit/192KHz, DSD- 512
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0 (Bluetooth variant only), AptX HD, AAC, SBC Codecs

Disclaimer: -
The Aune M1p was arranged directly by Aune for free of cost. We are thankful to them for the opportunity. However, the review reflects our honest opinion.

Packaging & Accessories: -
The Aune M1p comes in a medium-sized box with the device and all the accessories. Removing the box reveals the DAP. But before that a quick guide and brand card. Aune has supplied Ugreen Type-C cable which is also well-packed. Lastly, the thing we love most about is the 128GB Micro SD card supplied in the box. The presentation overall is classy. The matching leather case is an accessory that can be purchased separately.

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Operations & Settings: -
The M1p is quite fast in terms of operation, with very responsive direction buttons and a fast database search. The UI is quite simple indeed, but the functionality is perfect without any flaws. The DAP can only be woken up with the power button. The settings allow you to play around with screen time, brightness, Filters, Auto Shutdown, Bluetooth Modes (For Bluetooth Variant only) and more. However, there are no gain settings present in the DAP. The 3.5mm output also works as Line-Out but there is no software option to turn it off. Overall if you like to have a fancy UI with several EQ settings etc., this is not the player for you. If you’re a purist, however, you can perfectly rely on the OS.

Battery & Charging: -
The real-life experience with the battery would be around 6 hours in my opinion in moderate usage, and although I haven’t done any specific battery tests, I can honestly say that this is not the best DAP in terms of battery life. The charging time is over 2 hours with a 2A charger. The software doesn’t show battery percentage, only a battery presented which drains and gains in three or four levels. It’s hard to keep track of the battery.

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Sound Analysis: -

The Aune M1p was very impressive when it came around with its sound performance from the get-go. For the price of $399.00 (For the Bluetooth Variant), it’s a no-brainer.

• Lows: - One of the first things we noticed is its punch. The DAP has a very strong sound, and the power is demonstrated in the low end. It is carried from low volume to high volume. It has a powerful bass, and it doesn’t feel coloured. The bass is very fast and agile.

• Mids: - The mid-range is very well put together. There are no notes that give us a harsh presentation. The vocals are very sweet and present. The mids are presented in a very controlled manner, and the transparencies are there.

• Highs: - Once again the highs are very transparent. The detail level is awesome and very extended. It doesn’t overdo anything, just gives the proper presentation. The cleanness and speed of the treble, its precise definition, and the separation of the notes offer a winning level of resolution, within that musical and pleasant sensation that accompanies all the ranges of the M1p.

Technical Performance: -

The Aune M1p is one of the best devices you can have in terms of technicalities for this price. The presentation is quite resolving, thanks to its transparency. It is a very capable DAP and its presentation and overall performance make it a very good all-rounder for practically every genre out there. It handles congestion and complex passages easily when it is paired with an equally good IEM. The sound signature is close to neutral throughout the spectrum.
The M1p has this special hardware decoding frame. ARM - FPGA uses an ultra-low-jitter dual clock to realize asynchronous regeneration, and then clock synchronization for FPGA - DAC. The sound is transparent and natural. The Aune M1p has a decent amount of air between the instruments and the sound stage and imaging is really good for the price. The depth is there though, which is quite nice but don’t expect a huge staging performance. The imaging is quite strong though, with good focus and separation. The definition in the mid-range & treble is nice, and the honest delivery of this player is probably the best part. It’s like a reference DAP for a small amount of money, and it proves the fact with every genre. It’s not a genre-specific DAP at all, you can get it and play everything with confidence. The detailing and tonality are precise. It is very natural, yet truly rich-sounding DAP always searches for the analogue sound.

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Conclusion: -

Looking at the DAP market, I doubt anyone can show me a player for this price with a better sound. Of course, it is a limited product and doesn’t have any features at all, but that’s the point. There is no doubt, the DAP is a success in sound. Aune always looking for sound that strives for purity and neutrality. Aune M1p must have, for those who only crave good sound.

Non-Affiliated Link- https://www.aune-store.com/.../aune-m1p-music-player.../
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cqtek

1000+ Head-Fier
Sound, Period.
Pros: Very simple and intuitive software.
- Huge sound, full, effective, weighty, powerful, concise, tight, natural, analogue, pure, neutral, precise, musical and silky.
- Three audio outputs, 2.5mm BAL, 3.4mm SE and 4.4mm BAL.
- The screen size is generous.
- Its shapes are very pleasant.
- It comes with a 128GB microSD card.
- Fast microSD boot and scanning.
- Choice of 7 sound filters.
- Good power level.
Cons: It gets slightly warm.
- Display font can be a bit small (for those of us who are old), no choice of size.
- 72 volume steps instead of 100, no gain selector. The volume adjustment near the maximum is more abrupt, because the voltage jumps are bigger.
- This is a DAP whose size/battery ratio is not great, although it lasts longer than the 6 hours it specifies.
- Gapless can be improved.
Introduction

My quest for the best DAP under $400 continues. And, luckily, I have come across a simple but great DAP along the way. It is the Aune M1p. Without a doubt, it is one of those DAPs whose best qualities are sound and simplicity of use. It's not an Android-based DAP, it doesn't have a HiBy-based operating system, it's just an old and sparse OS, which doesn't allow the display of cover art. It is a simple player, closer to a classic CD player than to any current touchscreen DAP. With a sober but elegant look, with a good, high-contrast screen, dedicated buttons, an operational simplicity, the M1p is the kind of DAP I want to have, fast to use and betting the rest on sound.
In the following review we will see what this peculiar DAP can do.

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Specifications

  • DAC used: ES9038Q2M.
  • Recommended headphone impedance: 8-600Ω.
  • THD+N: 0.00021% @ 1kHz 3.5mm.
  • Headphone outputs: SE 3.5mm, BAL 2.5mm, BAL 4.4mm.
  • Output power per SE: 130mW @ 32Ω
  • Output power per BAL: 280mW @ 32Ω
  • DNR: 120dB
  • Noise: 2.5µVrms
  • Maximum voltage per 3.5mm SE output: 2.2Vrms
  • Maximum voltage at 2.5mm/4.4mm BAL output: 4.57Vrms
  • Supported formats:
    • WAV: 16bit, 24bit, 32bit. 44.1K/48K/88.2K/96K/176.4K/192K/352.8K/384K/705.6K/768K. WAV + CUE
    • FLAC: 16bit, 24bit. 44.1K/48K/88.2K/96K/176.4K/192K
    • DSD: DSF/DFF/ISO (DSD64/128/256/DSD512)
    • APE: 16bit/44.1K Normal
    • MP3/ALAC/AAC/AIF
  • Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0; Supported Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD.
  • Battery life: 6+ hours continuous playback (16bit/44.1k; screen locked).
  • Maximum charging current: 1.3A. 1.5A and higher chargers recommended.
  • Display: 2.4" IPS.
  • Memory card: microSD (supports sizes up to 1TB, exFAT, FAT32 format).
  • Interface languages: Chinese (simplified/traditional), English, Japanese, Korean.
  • Dimensions: 56x124.5x15.5mm
  • Weight: 147g.

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Packaging

The Aune M1p comes in a medium-sized white box, whose dimensions are 172x170x38mm. On the front face you can see the front profile of the DAP, the brand logo on the top right, the Hi-Res logo on the bottom right and the model name on the bottom left, as well as a minimal product description. Below, separated by a line, are a series of logos and icons describing the product features. On the back side there are icons describing the possible ways of use. At the bottom there is a silver sticker with the name of the model, the brand name, the logos of the standards it complies with and a pair of 1D barcodes.
Removing the cardboard box reveals a completely black box with only the Aune logo inscribed in silver letters in the centre. Lifting the box reveals a small transparent pouch with a 128GB microSD memory card, a brand data card and a quick guide. Behind this first layer, the DAP can be seen inside a protective white plastic pouch, encased in a thick black protective foam mould. To the left is an elongated black cardboard box containing a USB to USB TypeC charging cable. Surprisingly, it comes with a 128GB Kingston-branded memory card, and the cable is also from a well-known brand like Ugreen. This means that Aune is committed to quality first and foremost.
The presentation is simple but effective, with the brand's usual elegance and care for the use of the best materials in the price range.
The matching leather case is an accessory that can be purchased separately.

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Construction and Design

The Aune M1p has dimensions of 124.50x56x15.50mm. It is made of textured aluminium alloy in matt black. It is an elongated and narrow DAP with a 2.4" IPS display with a double target button on the bottom. The outer ring-shaped button consists of four cross-shaped buttons. On the right side there are three buttons on the upper half, a double volume button and a smaller one for on/off and screen lock. On the lower half of this side is the Bluetooth antenna for those models with that option. On the left side, in the upper half is the back button and below that, the microSD memory card slot. On the bottom edge, left to right, you can see a small Philips screw, the USB TypeC socket, the balanced 2.5mm headphone output, the gold-plated 3.5mm single ended headphone socket, the gold-plated 4.4mm balanced headphone output and another small Philips screw. On the top edge, the two screws are repeated on both sides. On the back face, on the top is the brand logo. At the bottom is the model name, a short description, the charging parameters, the full brand name and the logos of the specifications it meets, as well as the serial number.
Inside, the M1p is the third generation of Aune's DAP M1 series. It uses a freescale™ 600M processor and a hardware decoding framework. It uses FPGA algorithm and DAC clock synchronisation technology. The Bluetooth edition supports Bluetooth HD reception and transmission.
As DAC, the M1p uses the ES9038Q2M, as well as 4 headphone amplifiers.
It should be noted that my version is not Bluetooth and that there is a small hole where the antenna should be.
The design is very sober, simple and elegant at the same time. It is striking that the lower and upper edges have been rounded, something that makes the design much friendlier and also ergonomic. Another aspect I praise is that it has three headphone outputs BAL 2.5mm, SE 3.5mm and BAL 4.4mm, so it is not necessary to use adapters as these outputs are the most common ones. It is true that it does not have the 6.3mm SE output, but this is already more complicated in a pickup whose thickness is only 15.5mm.
The dimensions are also surprising, at first thought that its size was going to be smaller, but it is a bit elongated, while the screen is large, although I would have liked the font to be a bit bigger, as one's eyes are already tired... otherwise, the construction is impeccable, fully functional and robust.

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Connectivity

The Aune M1p has three headphone outputs BAL 2.5mm, SE 3.5mm and BAL 4.4mm. It has fixed or variable line output, via the SE 3.5mm headphone output, menu selectable.
It has bi-directional Bluetooth and can be connected in receiver mode to pair with a Bluetooth source, such as a smartphone. In transmitter mode, the M1P can be used to pair with Bluetooth headphones, a car or compatible Bluetooth speakers, as if it were a source.
The USB port is for charging only.

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Operativity

The operation of the Aune M1p is quite simple and the manual is very descriptive in this respect, so any attempt to comment on its operation would be redundant.
For this review we have used the M1p_1.064 firmware (2023-06-12).
It should be noted that the M1p supports up to DSD512 and PCM up to 32bit/768k. It also has 7 filter modes. The differences between them are usually quite subtle, as usual with this kind of filters. But it is always an interesting option to look for the differences between them.
The Aune M1p shuts down instantly. But the start-up is not as fast as I would like it to be. After pressing the power button, "NO DEVICE" appears on the screen for a few moments, followed by a scanning process of the memory card. Admittedly, the process is quite fast for 128GB. But I would have liked it if the phrase "NO DEVICE" had not been displayed, as it gives the impression that something is "wrong". I would also have preferred the card scanning to be menu-selectable, so that it would start even faster. On the other hand, I am sure that these small drawbacks will be debugged in the next firmware versions.
The volume has 72 steps and I would have preferred it to go up to 99, as in the last steps the volume change is more considerable. On the other hand, it lacks a gain selector, something that also contributes to more abrupt changes at the high end of the volume range.
The display has 5 levels of brightness and the font size is arguably medium/small. The operation is ultra simple, the display information is quite descriptive and the name of the song scrolls horizontally across the screen, with a brighter white colour. What I miss from the display information is the percentage of battery remaining, only a battery is presented, which drains in three or four positions.
And speaking of the battery, the battery life is specified to be around just over 6 hours. My tests have estimated the actual battery life to be longer, using a good level of brightness, FLAC format and using the screen quite a lot.
Finally, to maintain alphabetical order in a folder structure on the microSD memory, I recommend using some FAT sorting software (FAT Sorter), so that the M1p presents the folders and files in alphabetical order.

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Measures

The output impedance is around 1Ω for both SE and BAL.

No load SE

The maximum no-load voltage at the 3.5mm SE output is 2.2V.

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15 Ω SE

The maximum voltage without visible distortion is 1.3V, which implies a power of 110mW and 87mA.

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33 Ω SE

Maximum voltage for this impedance, 140mW, slightly more than the specified 130mW. Very good.

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100 Ω SE

Maximum voltage also for this impedance, just over 50mW.

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No Load BAL

As usual for the balanced output, the voltage is doubled to 4.4V.

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15 Ω BAL

With the usual current limit of around 90mA, the power per BAL for 15Ω does not aspire to be higher than per SE. In fact, it is somewhat higher, but with a small visible distortion. To be sure, when turned down a volume step, it stays about the same as SE, 1.24V, 100mW and 83mA.

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33 Ω BAL

In an ideal world with 90mA at this impedance, the voltage would be almost 3V and would give that figure reflected in the spec, 280mW. The actual test without visible distortion on my humble oscilloscope is 2.7V, which gives a good 220mW. Pretty good.

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100 Ω BAL

No voltage is reserved for this impedance and the M1p gives the maximum, 4.4V and 190mW.

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Sound

Once again, I find myself in the difficult position of describing the sound of a source. And this is not just any source, but one of the most charming DAPS I have ever heard. One of the first things I noticed is its punch. This is a DAP with a very consistent, solid, powerful and weighty sound. And that's a quality you don't get just by turning up the volume. Sometimes this characteristic can be associated with power. But in the case of the Aune M1p, it is perceived at low volumes. It is an almost oppressive feeling of fullness, which is felt from the very first beat. But that doesn't mean it's dense. On the contrary. It is an open and clean sound. Perhaps, because of the dark, opaque look of DAP, with that basic display of just white letters, one might associate that feeling with its sound. But this is not the case. As I say, it is a big, surround sound with good three-dimensionality. It is also endowed with clarity and light, capable of offering a very diaphanous and separate feel to the sound. But it is not an analytical sound either. I am one of those who like the ability of some sources to dissect the music. On this occasion, that is not the case; instead, it is a very precise, yet completely natural, yet truly rich sound. And perhaps that is one of its great virtues, that mix of precision, level of resolution and richness, both of detail and tonal.
As I said, this is a very strong sound and the power that is demonstrated in the low end attests to that. It has a powerful bass, quite sensory, with a hint of darkness and it doesn't feel coloured. Even so, it is very fast, agile and concise. The low end is tight, a little dry, but punchy, not too rough, and its texture is a little smoother, supporting a low end that is neither juicy nor boomy. It is a very realistic bass, offering no artifice, but it is not fun, vivid or playful either. The low end is serious, straight to the point. It offers the sensitive and sensory capability of the bass and this is reflected in a very deep, yet controlled sub-bass, but full of power.
The mid-range and also the high end are governed by an analogue feel that gives it a softness around the edges. The sound is not as ethereal, nor does it offer an escapist feel. But nevertheless, everything is very well put together, there are no notes that slip away or give a discordant impression, which could lead to an unpleasant or a more penetrating tone. Not so, the musicality in that respect is never lost. Thus, the vocals always come across as under control, melodious and sweet, but very believable and tonally appropriate. The instrumentation can seem more sedate and perhaps doesn't have that expansive vibe that other DAPS can have. But it does again demonstrate absolute control in its development, which makes its timbre very pleasing and never strident. The resulting combination is a very attractive, pleasing, captivating, yet effective, absorbing and immersive compendium, where transitions are swift and dynamics are evident. The fact that the mids are so well matched, with weighty notes, a quick decay, an agile and energetic movement, but controlled, tight and without artifice, underlines that analogue, realistic and euphonic feeling, which allows an instant and lasting enjoyment, very suitable for long sessions, which invites to turn up the volume in a dangerous way.
The treble is extended, but docile, infused with naturalness, control and reproductive smoothness. They are perhaps not as sharp, nor are they as penetrating, something which, in the ensemble of the three strips, may give a sense of a certain darkness. But, I refuse to think that this is the case. It is true that the upper range is not sparkling, effervescent or bubbly, but neither will it be sharp, shrill, uncontrolled or unpleasant. It sticks to the analogue-musical pairing, without implying a lack of resolution, definition or detail. On the contrary, the cleanness and speed of the treble, its precise definition and the separation of the notes, offer a winning level of resolution, within that musical and pleasant sensation that accompanies all the ranges of the M1p. In this way, the development of detail is easy, not forced, without being explicit or clearly evident, but without needing to be. Such details are an intrinsic part of the music and do not require parallel or additional enhancement. In this sense, the M1p is very pure, natural, neutral and organic. That's why the treble never sounds strident or impostured, but rather comes across fluently, being understandable and simple, even if it is complex to develop or evolve.
As can be expected and on the basis of all that has been said so far, the image is realistic, pure, precise and consistent. The placement of the elements is skilfully well positioned, but offering that sense of naturalness and speed that makes everything expressed in a simple way.
The scene, without being a monstrous source in this respect, is entirely in keeping, calm but spacious, with a good three-dimensional level, but without getting out of head, keeping control of all the music, without dissonance or out of tune. But, as a powerful, pure and neutral source, it is capable of expressing the music in a spacious, extended, deep and remarkably high space.

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Comparisons

Tempotec V6


The other great DAP I own in this price range is the Tempotec V6. It uses a dual AK4493SE DAC and we all know what AKM's motto is: "Velvet Sound". Well, as a conclusion, I would say that the M1p, with its ES9038Q2M DAC, sounds silkier than the V6.
The bass range seems wider and takes up more space on the V6, while it feels darker, deeper and more sensory on the M1p. Bass roughness and texture is more pronounced in the V6. The M1p is lower and offers drier bass. But the control over them is more exquisite, offering a more refined, deeper, realistic and restrained lower range, but very capable of reproducing complex situations. In these same situations, the V6 tends to sound a little more bloated and is less adept at regaining control, giving a slightly muddier feel in those tricky situations.
In the mid-range the M1p sounds drier, but also more organic, neutral and analogue. In contrast, the V6 seems to open up the mids more and delivers them with more projection and expansion. Just as it makes for a more ethereal sound, it also feels a little more discordant in some notes that seem to stand out in a less controlled way. If the music is slow and well-recorded, the V6 may offer a more dramatic feel. But if the passages are a little more complex, the M1p's refinement and control will come through, and it will sound more seamless and natural.
The V6 has a sharper, crisper and finer treble. The M1p is smoother and more pleasant, but seems to lose a bit of sparkle. In this case, the V6 will sound more analytical and bright than the M1p, which is more neutral and quiet. But, the V6 again repeats the same excited pattern as in the other ranges. And it is perhaps in this range that this characteristic is most noticeable. It has more sparkle, yes. It's crisper, too. But it can offer some undesirable stridency. Meanwhile, this same passage is not critical in the M1p.
The sound is a little more open on the V6, with a more ethereal and volatile feel. This can lead to a larger, more surrounding soundstage feel. The M1p is more concise, defined and focused, but its soundstage is not small, but rather more realistic and conjunctive. From the volatility of the notes, the V6 seems more detached. Whereas the M1p offers a darker and more natural background.

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Conclusion

Against the large legion of DAPs based on Android or HiBy, there are always exceptions. The problem with those exceptions is that they don't always live up to simple, fast and efficient operation. The Aune M1p has possibly one of the simplest OSes I've seen on DAPs of a certain level. It has been designed to boot up fast and also to work this way. There are still a few details to iron out, but I'm sure the brand is working to improve. Where there is no doubt that the philosophy of this DAP is a success is in the sound. Aune is synonymous with an uncontrived sound that strives for purity and neutrality. The M1p could not be otherwise. It is also tremendously musical, with a distinctly analogue and euphonic feel. It is designed to recreate music in the most natural and enjoyable way, to allow hours and hours of pleasure, without shrillness and with a dangerously addictive capacity for wanting to turn up the volume to get into the sound. The M1p is immersive and engaging, from the simplicity of its form and handling, to the powerful ease of musical presentation. From these premises, it seems difficult to achieve a sound as complete as that offered by the Aune M1p.

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Earphones Used During Analysis

  • Letshuoer DZ4
  • Hidizs MS3
  • Kiwi Ears Quartet
  • KiiBOOM Evoke
  • KiiBOOM Allure
  • NiceHCK F1
  • Letshuoer S12 PRO
  • Rose QT9 MK2s
  • Yanyin Aladdin
  • ISN H40
  • Penon Globe
  • OurArt QJ21
  • Rose Martini
  • Sunrise Dragon 2 Limited Edition (SWD2LE) 10th Anniversary

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Aune Audio offered me this model, in exchange for writing an honest review. I want to make it clear that all my opinions written in this review have not been conditioned by this fact, nor will I ever write anything that I do not really think or feel here. I will only write about my personal opinion in relation to the revised product.

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Purchase Link

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You can read the full review in Spanish here

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Mhog55
Mhog55
Wow, that's quite the review! I had to look up the meaning of some of those words lol. May I ask what your favorite 3 daps are?
alphaman
alphaman
The ES9038Q2M is a budget ESS mobile dac.
The lack of a dedicated LO (line out) is a huge minus. Because even using a cheap external headphone amp (even for IEMs) can transform the sonics of a DAP more than any other upgrade.
cqtek
cqtek
If you want to use it as a line output, just set it to maximum volume. The line output is nothing special, just a fixed voltage level output with no power, not suitable for connection to low impedance sources.
On the other hand, the DAC may not be the best, but I haven't tried another DAP for that price better than the aune M1p, its neutrality and the greatness of its sound every time I use it is totally recognisable. Although, of course, I haven't tried all the DAPS in that price range, just some of them. But compared to the rest of the stationary sources I have, which are not few, the M1p is clearly among the best.

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