From a Purely SQ Standpoint, Aune m1s vs Cayin N3. which ones better? I've read a lot of good reviews of the n3 with a review even saying it sounds better than a fiio x5iii. but it seems overenthusiastic IMO. on paper the Aune should outclass the N3. can anyone who has heard both of these DAP's chime in? The Aune doesn't have many reviews comparing it to other DAP's. I'd really like to know how it stacks up to the Cayin n3 and the fiio x5iii Purely SQ Wise.
I've heard both (and many other DAPs), and imho the answer isn't so simple despite the many claims of DAP A has better SQ vs DAP B that are constantly being made in headfi and other forms. I think a better way to approach this is to let us know what type of sound signature you're after, and then we can provide guidance.
I'd also strongly suggest you don't just take SQ into account. You're buying something you'll be using frequently, so making sure other features such as GUI, ergonomics, connectivity, etc. meet your needs is very important in the decision making process in my opinion.
As an example, I'm one of the people who prefer to listen to N3 vs X5 v3. I found N3 to have better dynamics, soundstage, imaging, etc. Others prefer X5 v3. Are either of us wrong? Nope, we just have different tastes. I'm guessing they prefer a smoother, more intimate sound. And I'm not going to claim that N3 has better SQ vs X5 v3, either. But if somebody tells me what they're after, I can provide some guidance.
Another thing to consider is that sound can change with these DAPs depending on fw version. For instance, when I first got a sample N3 I felt it was too warm but a fw release came which provides much more neutral tuning. Similar thing happened with M1s with the last fw update, which made single ended output sound more open to me. So, that aren't static devices. They're in development to a certain extent until the developers obsolete them.
Hope that makes sense to you even if it wasn't the more black and white answer you wanted.