Aune Yuki

Gazing upon the AUNE Yuki headphone amplifier is akin to stepping into a realm where sound and aesthetics converge in a symphony of sensory delight

This isn't just another audio device — it's a testament to the boundless creativity and ingenuity of its creators, a masterpiece that transcends mere functionality to become a work of art in its own right

Let's start with the design. The AUNE Yuki is a sight to behold, with its sleek, minimalist form and pristine white finish exuding an air of sophistication and elegance

Every curve, every detail has been meticulously crafted to perfection, resulting in a piece of audio equipment that not only sounds phenomenal but looks like a sculptural masterpiece adorning your audio setup

It's not just a device, it's a statement piece — a conversation starter that demands attention and admiration

But the AUNE Yuki isn't just about looks, it's about performance too. And in that regard, it doesn't disappoint. The sound quality is simply sublime, rivaling that of top-tier amplifiers from industry giants

From the crisp highs to the deep, rumbling lows, every note is rendered with breathtaking clarity and precision, allowing you to rediscover your favorite tracks with a newfound sense of depth and detail

Whether you're a die-hard audiophile or a casual music lover, the AUNE Yuki promises to elevate your listening experience to new heights

What truly sets the AUNE Yuki apart, however, is its exceptional build quality. From the moment you lay eyes on it, you can tell that this is a device built to last

The sturdy chassis, premium-grade components, and impeccable attention to detail speak volumes about the craftsmanship that went into its creation

It's not just a piece of equipment, it's a testament to the dedication and passion of the people behind it — a promise of reliability and longevity that instills confidence in its performance

And let's not forget about the specifications. With its ample power output, wide frequency response, and low distortion, the AUNE Yuki is a powerhouse of audio performance

It's capable of driving even the most demanding headphones with ease, ensuring that you get the best possible sound quality no matter what you're listening to

Whether you're rocking out to your favorite tunes or immersing yourself in a cinematic masterpiece, the AUNE Yuki delivers an audio experience that's second to none

In conclusion, if you're in the market for a headphone amplifier that not only sounds incredible but looks stunning and is built to last, look no further than the AUNE Yuki

It's a triumph of design and engineering — a true masterpiece that will enhance your audio experience in ways you never thought possible. With the AUNE Yuki, the world of high-fidelity audio is yours to explore, and the journey is bound to be nothing short of extraordinary

Great work AUNE!

#AUNE #AuneYuki #DACs

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Aune Yuki

The Aune Yuki has been sent to me directly by Aune for me to try it out and share my opinions in this review. Aune have not made any requests and I will do my usual best to be as unbiased as possible in my review.

You can find the official page for the Yuki here: https://www.aune-store.com/en/aune-yuki-dongle-dac_110207_1236/

Also available on Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Headphone-Smartphone-Earphones-Headphones/dp/B0CJXYNNTH

As always, the above are non-affiliate links.



Intro…

The Yuki is, I believe, the first dongle from the Aune and I have to say that they certainly went all in on this. It is not the cheapest of dongles but it is far from being the most expensive, coming in at 169€ on the official Aune store here in Europe (at the time of puting together this review).

The device features dual CS43198 DAC chips which have been used in decent performing desktop solutions before and Aune seem to have done a good job implementing them in this device.

In fact, Aune seem to have done a good job in general with this device, seemingly spending time and effort on everything involved, but before I get ahead of myself, let’s go through the usual process and start off with the presentation.



Presentation…

Starting off with the packaging, we already see that Aune has aimed to be different. Rather than a box we get a circular tub which is white with the Aune logo in gold on the top, together with “for music we design”, along with Yuki in gold on the side. This has a dark blue card ring around it that shows some artwork and “Yuki” in white letters.

Removing the top reveals a small circular card with two QR codes, one to download the user manual PDF in Chinese and the other in English. Obviously I didn’t do this as a first step (why break tradition?) but looking at it I have to say that, for such a simple device, the user manual is complete and well written.

Under this top card we find the dongle sitting vertically in one section, with the USB-C to USB-C cable, along with a USB-A to USB-C adapter, sitting in another vertical section. There is plenty of foam surrounding them, of the high density type in white, meaning that the device is more than protected for shipping. On top of this, it was packaged in a brown cardboard box surrounding the tub, protecting it even more.

Although there is really not a lot to get excited about with the packaging, I have to say that I really like it when companies go that extra step and do something original. Here Aune have made something different without the need for additional materials other than simple card and foam.



Build and aesthetics…

The first impression of the device is that it looks beautiful. Of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder but, again, Aune have done something different that sets the device apart from the masses of dongles out there.

The clear top is obviously the first thing to catch the eye, which allows you to see the internals of the device. This is not something new, as one of my favourite dongles (the M15) already has this, however, other than the shape and the clear top, that is where the similarities end.

Aune have opted for a bright white finish to the Yuki, with gold lettering without it being overdone. I find there is a fine line between gold on white being elegant or blingy, with Aune seeming to manage to keep it in the first category. I have always said that I am not a fan of gold but the lettering is discrete and looks good on the white base.

The PCB inside the device, which is visible through the top window, is also a break from the usual green PCB. In this case, the board is red and creme, which, in my opinion, adds even more to the modern yet elegant look of the device.

On the back we get the Yuki logo in gold, with the two buttons above it featuring a single gold dot on one of them to differentiate it. This dot is also recessed so it can be identified, to some extent, by touch.

The included USB cable matches the device in colour, as does the adapter, and the cable is a very nice white braid. Once again, this just gives the sensation of them putting thought and effort into each little component.

In general, I have to praise the Yuki as I think that it is built well, with an aluminium body, and looks different to all the other dongles out there, without being too “off the wall”.



Functionality…

There is not a lot going on with the Yuki, so there is not much to discuss in the functionality side of things, however it does feature volume control and gain levels.

On the bottom of the device there is a 3.5mm unbalanced headphone output, together with a 4.4mm balanced output. At the top we get a single USB-C connector for power and data. That is it as far as connectivity is concerned.

As far as controls, we get the two buttons located on the back of the device. I have to say that I find the location of the buttons to be a strange choice. Once again they have done something different, which I applaud, but in this case I can’t help feeling that it is form over function. I find the buttons to be more difficult to access than if they were on the front or side but it is not the end of the world and I did get used to them pretty quickly.

The buttons are used to control the volume and gain level of the device. Pressing either of the buttons independently will raise or lower the volume, while pressing both of them simultaneously for 2 seconds will change the gain level.

The volume of the Yuki is independent to the device, meaning that the amplification in controlled on the Yuki and that there is no control of the device volume from the dongle. It has a nice small increment with each press and I really find it to work well (once you get used to the buttons on the back).

As far as devices, I have used it with a selection of Android and Windows devices (Win10) and have experienced absolutely no issues with any of them. It has always connected very fast and just worked without hiccup. I’m afraid I don’t have any iOS devices.



Sound…

Now, if I have praised Aune so far in the review for doing something different, in the sound section they have done something different by not doing anything different. Let me explain...

The majority of the Aune devices that I have tested in the past, those that I have reviewed and those that I haven’t, all managed to offer a clean and neutral sound without becoming sterile or cold. In the case of the Yuki they have done the same.

While there are portable devices that I enjoy because they have a little warmth to them, I have to say that I really enjoy the Yuki because of its neutrality. It manages to give you a very transparent sound that does not lose its musicality, something that is not always the case with many portable devices (or even desktop devices).

It may not be the most powerful dongle out there, I wouldn’t really suggest it for difficult to drive headphones, yet it does a very good job with over ears that are easy to drive. For example, although I didn’t really mention it in my review, it works very well with the AR5000 headphones from Aune.

However, my main use case has been with IEMs, both those that I have currently awaiting review and those that I usually grab when I get a chance, and it has been a very pleasurable experience.

From things that are more detail focused, such as the Quintet, through to more warmer options, such as the IE600, I feel that it pairs remarkably well. With the Hifiman Svanar, which is a set that I enjoy a lot but find that it does perform very differently on different sources, it is one of my preferred portable pairings so far. The Svanar maintains that warmth that it is natural to it while presenting the details that it is capable of, without seemingly any additional flavouring from the dongle.

The sound signature of the Yuki does remind me a lot of the S9c Pro that I reviewed from Aune not too long ago, which is a large desktop device. Of course it is not as powerful but the presentation is very similar, which is in turn very similar to my desktop set up of choice for general listening.

Honestly, I can’t find anything to complain about with the sound signature of the Yuki, it is another Aune device that I just enjoy listening to, or rather, not listening to, as it lets the music and the transducers do the work.



Conclusion…

The Aune Yuki has easily become one of my favourite dongle style devices. I have kept it with me almost all the time and have enjoyed using it with IEMs each time I have had a chance. Yes, there are times when I feel like a smoother more relaxed sound, which is the same sort of mood that I am in when I choose a tube amp for home listening, but for 90% of my listening time, I just can’t fault the device.

As I said at the beginning, it is certainly not the cheapest dongle out there but it is far from being the most expensive and I really came away with the feeling that the money spent on this device gives you something that has had a lot of thought and work put into it.

Honestly, I feel that the AR5000 and the Aune Yuki may be the 2 products from Aune that I have enjoyed the most to date. I do not mean that they are the best devices that Aune makes, they make some seriously good stuff, but they are products that make you feel like you are getting something special.

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As usual, this review is also available in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

TONALITY: 8.5/10
TECHNICALITIES: 9/10
TIMBRE: 8.5/10
SPATIALITY: 8.2/10
IMAGING: 8.5/10
MUSICALITY (subjective): 7.5/10
CONSTRUCTION: 7.5/10
ACCESSORIES: 7.5/10
SOUND VALUE: 7.5/10


INTRO

The Aune Yuki might be very first dongle release from this company, but Aune is very experience with DAC and AMP engineering so this isn’t your normal entry level dongle using cheap OPamp or DAC amping section.
Nope, the big selling point of this dongle is the 4-way discrete amplifier that has 16 transistors distributed in a 4x4 pattern that you can contemplate thru dongle glasses.
You can count it too.
As well, it use the flagship cirrus DAC 43198 in dual balanced mode, this DAC can achieve very high signal-to-noise and has extremely low harmonic distortion, promising a clean and highly resolved sound restitution.
As well, it can decode any bitrate up to skyhigh 768khz and DSD256, in 32bit format.

Priced 169$, the Yuki promise an high end audio experience on the go, so let see in this review if it fullfill this promise!

SPECS:
DAC: Dual CS43198 from Cirrus Logic.
Playback formats: PCM 32Bits 768kHz, DSD256.
Headphone output: SE 3.5mm and BAL 4.4mm both gold-plated.
Headphone amplifier output noise SE: 2.6μV.
SE output voltage: 2.0V RMS.
THD+N SE: 0.00036%.
SE output power: 90mW 30Ω.
Headphone amplifier output noise BAL: 2.9μV.
BAL output voltage: 4.0V RMS.
THD+N BAL: 0.00033%.
BAL output power: 160mW 30Ω.
Input interface: USB Type C.
Dimensions: 53.5x24x13mm.
Weight: 230g.

Extra info, thanks to Aune for their transparency:
Output impedance: 1Ω
Crosstalk:
3.5mm: 71dB @32Ω
4.4mm: 106dB @32Ω



CONSTRUCTION&FEATURES


The construction is very elegant, this is no surprise since Aune always offer sober but luxurious design, even their IEM Jasper was pure eye candy, the Yuki is no exception.The finish is all white with a ceramic like texture, it have a big glass that show internal architecture which is fascinating to contemplate, the lettering are in gold and their fine line detailing that magnify overall elegance.At the back their 2 volume control button, one with a gold dot for + and other one full white for -. I find it lacking the click pression that underline volume step selection. With the protective case, it’s hard to even find the button blindly, which is a con for me.

Then we have two jack in front. I’m sensitive about quality of dongles jacks so I was very happy to see it’s no plastic but all gold plated metal, which promise long durability and thigh connection.

If this dongle is slightly expensive, at least the craftsmanship and material choice is on par with high end expectation.

All in all, apart volume button that i would prefer thicker and bigger as well as more clicky, construction and design are delightful.

Ok, in term of feature, it would have been nice to have a gain switch, this would permit surely lower impedance for balanced output and even more versatile performance.


Pass 100$, it’s normal to be nitpicky for a dongle.



In term of packaging and accessories, the dongle come in small cylindric box that can be use as carrying case and look quite good. Alas the protective case isn't included and will cost you an extra 15$. It's a real leather that look good but seem to make volume botton control less easy to find and press.
The USB-C to USB-C cable is excellent, it's SPC braided and gold plated, it feel durable as well.
We have a USB-A to USB C adapter too, but i would prefer a good quality cable that is longer to hook on laptop.
All in all, good quality accessories but quite minimalist too.

SOUND IMPRESSIONS



To my ears, the Yuki tonality is bright neutral, it’s one of few truely neutral dongle I own. This is the kinda dongle that will extract secret sound info effortlessly, this is even more evident when I compare it again other dongle, including pricier Questyle M15 which is warmer, bassier and darker.

Sure, saying it’s neutral is a bit vague, so i would say it’s treble centric before of being bass or mids focus, it tend to magnify presence of instrument and vocal and render texture richness and details in HD like level.

It’s an highly resolved restitution but don’t sound cold or thin, even if transparency and imaging is very good it’s not over boosting brilliance of percussion or loudness of upper mids.

The bass is less dynamic part of spectrum, it’s lean in punch but very well define in presence, drum have this ultra realist rendering but don’t gain in impact weight. I personally need more dynamism in bass but this is the kind of dongle that can ‘’heal’’ basshead IEM, cleaning the warmth and taming resonance of impact to some extend.
In fact, we are in smooth U shape bass territory here, this mean we have a slight sub bass boost that help to extract bass line which are more bodied than mid bass and kick drum. Those bass line can be incredibly detailed both in density and texture, Yuki help adding bite to their attack too, all this in a balanced way since it’s no euphonic boom here.This isn’t the kind of low end that add warmth or muddy boom boost to IEM, this mean it pair well with already bassy IEM.

The mids are open and clean sounding, gently bright without excited boost in upper mids that can boost sibilance of already brights IEM. Texture is rich with detail which permit to have well define presence of diversify instruments cohabiting in same space. This presence isn’t widen, it’s centered and static. Transparency is clean enough, what interfer with it’s translucidity will be texture details, not harmonic distortion added noise. This is a refined and focused mid range that permit to improve definition of vocalist and instruments but will not boost the dynamics or note impact of it’s rendering, overall presentation is refined and delicate, just slightly polished in attack edge to avoid a cold or clinical rendering thast favor too much the sharpness of resolution, yet, resolution is very high here.

This mean the treble is crisp and clean as well as organically balanced within other frequencies, it's not the sparkliest or airiest, it have more crunch than brilliance to attack lead and the release is smoothed, it doesn't gain loudness in sustain nor boost in percussions resonance. It's a safe but informative treble.
You don't struggle to find micro details or percussions cue with the Yuki, but it's not force on you too since it balanced in a mature and neutral way, the amping section seem to cream the timbre a bit, which avoid a blend or too clinical representation of high pitch instrument and sounds. While not the most airy on top, highs are still holographic and stereo sounding, but has said, it's a bit soften in definition edge wich inflict on sharpness of acoustic guitar or metallic percussions, this make them less agressive in attack.

Spatiality is wide and deep, yet intimate and focused on center stage which isn't too recessed. It's not the kind of dongle that suddenly expend soundstage of your IEMs.

Imaging is great, thanks to spacious layering and high resolution, from bass line to vocal to percussion the Yuki offer neutral monitor like rendering that don't forget mid range instrument positioning, which is well focused and not recessed.

POWER OUTPUT

The Yuki isn't the most powerfull dongle out there, but 160mW@32ohm is plenty for most IEMs including planar IEM like the Letshuoer S12 or S15 which pair well with this dongle and don't have distortion in bass due to lack of power.

When I pair it with very capricious IEM like the FInal E5000 it was less convincing, the bass gain was lacking and soundstage didn't sound as open as it should.

The balanced output impedance is low enough for most sensitive IEM apart 9ohm with high sensitivity like the Audiosense T800 that doesn't sound as clean and articulate in macro dynamic as im used too and can encounter harmonic distortion in bass region, so it gain unwanted euphony. Low gain choice would has been welcome since 4vrms is too much for the T800.

Nonetheless, i've heard more excited gain and T800 don't go distortant mess at all, it just gain in warmth so it don't scale up in resolution which with IEMs like Oriveti OH700VB is exact case with Yuki pairing.

As for headphones, it drive the Sivga Luan easily even if its sensitivity is 100db and impedance 38ohm, but don't expect a 160mW dongle to drive planar headphones like Hifiman Sundara or Arya properly, it will sound boxy and limited in dynamic push even if it can achieve loud volume.


COMPARISONS


VS FIIO KA17

The KA17 is plenty more powerful than the Yuki, it pack about 3times more power balanced way with desktop mode reaching 650mW again 180mW for the Yuki.
As well, we have more features control like low or high gain choice, digital filters choice as well as a EQ preset. This not only mean the KA17 can drive more demanding IEMs and headphones like planar or high impedance one, but that due to gain and amping mode it can be more versatile for sensitive IEMs too since at low gain it seem to have blacker background than Yuki.

Sound wise, the KA17 is notably more spacious and open sounding, it’s more lively in dynamic which feel W shape in energy with more punchy low end, more edgy and transparent mids and more lively and airy treble. It mean it’s a notch less neutral and lean than Yuki too, resolution wise the Yuki has more detailed texture and fuller presence and mids, but the instrument are more centralized on the stage, intimate in spatiality and restrain in dynamic energy.
Timbre is a hint warmer and more euphonic with the KA17 while more boosted in presence texture with the Yuki.

Overall musicality is colder and less holographic and multi layered with the Yuki, it’s more reference sounding and serious in musicality.

All in all, sound value is unbeatable with KA17 since its more powerful and has gain control as well as lower impedance. Sound wise, it's more lively and bassy too, more colored than leaner sounding Yuki which offer richer timbre texture too.

VS SIMGOT DEW4X

The 4X is crisper, spikier, more aggressive and vivid in brightness and more U shape and less neutral in balance than warmer, leaner and smoother sounding Yuki.

In term of amping power, both feel as loud with max power at balanced output, specs wise Yuki offer 10mW more balanced way which is very negligible. Unlike the DEW4X, Yuki don’t have amping gain switch. Again, noise floor seem cleaner with DEW4X.

Sound wise, these 2 are very similar and this is perhaps due to the fact both use same dual CS43198 dac chip, but amping chain of Yuki act like tube for DAC-AMP and had some lushness coloring and tonal smoothness cohesion to overal tone, it soften the attack edge a bit more too making the DEW4X sharper and more vivid in rendering as well as more lively and energetic in macro dynamic.

Yet the bass is weaker with DEW4X, it’s thinner and less dense in sub bass extension, bass line are dryer and more boxy than Yuki.
Then mids are more transparent, thinner and crisper with DEW4X, mids feel a bit more compressed and centered, less lush and natural in timbre. Simply put, Yuki feel more mid centric and offer wider mid range presence with less upper mids brightness.

The treble is more spiky and analytical with DEW4X, it will put forwards percussions and some micro details in a more aggressive and unbalanced way then more organic sounding Yuki, for ex in folk or country music the singer can get over shadow more with guitar or percussions with the DEW4X than more creamy and balanced sounding Yuki.

Spatiality is wider and taller with Yuki but deeper with DEW4X.

Imaging is on par with both which are very good in crisp positioning, bass line being more textured and well define with Yuki, as well as macro dynamic being more balanced and neutral, it’s just slightly superior in term of accuracy.

All in all, sound value go to the Simgot since it’s as powerful, it have gain button as well as optical out and the price is 2 times cheaper even if it use very same dual CS43198 DACs, but in term of pure sound quality, the Yuki is more refined and less energetic and excited in tonal balance.

CONCLUSION



The Yuki might arrive late in the dongle game but it offer the most neutral and smooth audio experience from all dongle i own and I own more than 30 of them.

It's not meant for those seeking lush, bassy or colored musicality, and will please the purist seeking versatile but uncolored yet natural musicality because we aren't in plain cold neutral territory here, the Yuki offer rich and life like instrument and vocal timbre with a focused presence that don't jump at you in an agressive way, with effortlessly high resolution.

Unlike lot of dongles that use very same DAC-AMP circuit board and sound the same, Aune has achieve it's own music rendering ideal which is refined and different than all other dongles I own, for this alone, the Yuki worth consideration.

Recommended.




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PS: I want to thanks Aune for sending me this review sample.

You can order the Yuki directly from their official store here:
https://www.aune-store.com/en/aune-yuki-dongle-dac_110207_1236/