Aune S17 pro

[SmartCheetah]

@SpiritualAbies2600 so I heard. I'm using balanced cables for most of my headphones, some I got with the headphones themselves, some are aftermarket, but none are exactly premium quality. So I'm very curious how the temperatures will be without and with the fan I'm getting with the amp.

 

[Dimitry188]

I'm also developing a gadget to control the S17 volume through the standard Windows volume mixer, utilizing IR for control and OCR to monitor the current amp volume.

I put the system volume on the second wheel of the Logitech MX Master 3 computer mouse - and now I don't touch the volume control of the S17 Pro at all. I set it to the right level once, and I don't touch it anymore.

 

[SpiritualAbies2600]

I put the system volume on the second wheel of the Logitech MX Master 3 computer mouse - and now I don't touch the volume control of the S17 Pro at all. I set it to the right level once, and I don't touch it anymore.

@Dimitry188 how does the mouse control the S17 Pro volume?

 

[AntonNZ]

@AuneAudio , I have some theoretical questions: does the opening of the case void the warranty? What are the manufacturer's optimal temperature recommendations for running the unit for the best sound performance?

As per the video uploaded here not so long ago (the one where russian engineer took it apart and then measured it), the lower part of the heat sink is connected to the bottom of the case with some bolts. I do agree with many experts that adding thermal compounds to electronic components is not the greatest idea since the compound wasn't designed for them. However, adding a compound between the case and an internal heatsink could increase thermal conductivity and following heat dissipation. Plus there are no active components that can suffer. This, theoretically, could provide additional cooling gains if combined with external heatsinks.

Guys, did someone tried to identify the temperature range for the best sound and stage? there are coolers on the market that have a thermal trigger with a probe, so it can be configured to turn on and off based on temperature thresholds. I think that combined with some passive cooling it can deliver a stable working temperature "zone", if required, and at the same time being quiet most of the time.
https://acinfinity.com/component-co.../multifan-s5-quiet-usb-cooling-fan-dual-80mm/
the company has some other "systems", that looks nice, but I'm not sure where the probe is connected to

 

[Slackaveli]

I guess I should answer this as I'm listening to it through an S17 Pro and HE1000 Stealths.

Not my favourite style of music but it sounds clean and bright, all notes are clear with no distorion that I can hear. The highs are sharp, the bass all there but I've heard this combination go deeper and sound better.

As a comparison I tried plugging my XS cans directly into the DAC and noticed that the bass was quite a lot more dense than with the S17/HEKS, which I must admit sounded a little bit flat with this track as the bass notes ended more quickly and were more clearly defined rather than the fairly thick resonance that I heard on the XS. I only got the HEKS last week so I'm still getting used to them (c.100 hours) but I have found that the incredible amount of detail and precision that they provide can sometimes make notes sound a little bit too clean for this kind of music when you want the bass to sound down and dirty, with the S17/HEKS it's crystal clear.

I hope that makes sense and is helpful, I'm not very good at describing sound.

You did great, Man, I appreciate the info.
The XS really is a great set of cans for the price and in fact I may start recommending them to my friends that Im trying to get into this hobby.
HD650 then Ed-XS then 109 pro then he1000s has been my ascent. Next up- Modhouse Tungsten

 

[Slackaveli]

@SmartCheetah I look forward to your EF400>>S17 impressions. The Hifiman Himalaya r2r DAC is a great value at that price point. If it synergizes well with s17 that'd be pretty great for us regular monied folk. $399 + $699 = not too bad!

 

[Slackaveli]

@SpiritualAbies2600 so I heard. I'm using balanced cables for most of my headphones, some I got with the headphones themselves, some are aftermarket, but none are exactly premium quality. So I'm very curious how the temperatures will be without and with the fan I'm getting with the amp.

use these lol. Norne will help dissipate that heat

 

[SmartCheetah]

I look forward to your EF400>>S17 impressions. The Hifiman Himalaya r2r DAC is a great value at that price point.

Yeah, I'll try to add my 2 cents.

 

[SpiritualAbies2600]

OKay, 3 hour update....

• After 2.5 hours in 100ma High Gain XLR input with 4 pin XLR to Edition XS
  • Test Setup
    • Cable: Linsoul 1.5m (4.9f) 4 pin XLR to Edition XS used for data below.
    • 100ma High Gain, XLR input
    • Source DAC: EverSolo DAC-Z6 --> Lokius using XLR connections --> to Aune.
    • Room Temperature is 73f (23c).
  • Test
    • Starting temperature was 67c in 100ma
    • Put S17 onto Mini Laptop cooling pad (Dual fan)
    • I put S17 into 50ma mode, until it could cool down to 52c.
    • Once 52c was reached, I put it into 100ma high gain mode.
  • Test - Current Status
    • 3 hours have elapsed, S17 Pro is has been holding steady at 56c.
    • Unit is way cooler to the touch.
  • Nitpick
    • Cooling fan was sold as "ultra quiet" but it has a very low audible sound. For me it blends in the backgroud but I was hoping for a completely quiet fan.
    • Cooling pad extends half inch (0.5 inch) around the unit. So this requires more physical space but not bad looking at all. If you have the black S17 instead of the silver, would definitely blend well together.

I shall update later how the S17 is holding temperature after 7 hours of total usage.

 

[davehutch]

Let start by saying that I don't own the S17 Pro.
However, as it's on my shortlist I've had aa trawl through this thread and I'm concerned about the number of posts entering on the possible temperature issue.

Just a suggestion, but has anyone tried simply standing their unit on a marble slab, like a kitchen chopping board, maybe ¾" thick? Marble is apparently known to dissipate heat very quickly (according the Google so that might be completely wrong of course!)

 

[SpiritualAbies2600]

Let start by saying that I don't own the S17 Pro.
However, as it's on my shortlist I've had aa trawl through this thread and I'm concerned about the number of posts entering on the possible temperature issue.

Just a suggestion, but has anyone tried simply standing their unit on a marble slab, like a kitchen chopping board, maybe ¾" thick? Marble is apparently known to dissipate heat very quickly (according the Google so that might be completely wrong of course!)

@davehutch I was concerned as well but I am not a typical user. I am behind the computer at least 10 hours a day. 90% of that time I am listening to music or on conference calls and since all my audio goes through it, it is always on.
Without all the cooling attempts that I am doing, AFTER i changed cables as others suggested, I was keeping about 67c after 6 hours of use. So if you are 4/6 hours daily user, you should be fine.

Regarding the marble slab, not sure how effective it would be given that the amp is on half inch feet. So there would be an "air" gap between it and the slab. I am thinking that might slow down the heat transfer from the S17 to the marble slab. But not sure....

 

[SmartCheetah]

I am thinking that might slow down the heat transfer from the S17 to the marble slab. But not sure....

for sure it will if there's no direct contact with the slab.

 

[Erick Muller]

It seems that it can.

Budget is an issue. it is difficult to justify to my wife how I've managed to live for 30 years with 1 dollar headphones and another 10 with bose qc35 and now I suddenly bought HD6xx, some strange dac with name Schiit on it, rented a Bravo Ocean from my colleague and now itching to spend another 1K for amplifier
As per RCA cables, I've got one from Aliexpress. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003092337871.html? and another one from local PC shop for 12 dollars. I will work through upgrades in cables and other equipment in stages.

If the wife keeps complaining, just get a divorce, lol!!!

jk, yep, unfortunately this hobby can be an absolute wallet destroyer.

 

[Erick Muller]

Many thanks.
And how about the amplifier section of the EF400 compared to the Aune S17 Pro? Is the Aune even more impactful? How does their clarity and transparency compare?
While the EF400 is less transparent and precise than the ST-AMP, it definitely sounds "bigger" and more cinematic when I use its amplifier. In music, I prefer to leave the ST-AMP on in amplifier mode, but for PC gaming, the EF400 creates a more immersive "wall of sound" with a wider soundstage, even if it sacrifices some layering and precision. Would the Aune S17 Pro's sound presentation be more similar to the EF400 than the the ST-AMP?


Sounds promising. To add to that, my daily DAC is the EF400 that has two modes - Oversampling and NOS which also sound quite different. Options multiply.

I had the K7 too and sold it after I bought the ST-AMP. Not by much, but it was an upgrade. ST-AMP is a touch more organic, aggressive in the mids, appreciated in the guitar music. But in the end they were surprisingly alike.

The St-AMP and the EF400 are two completely different animals though. This is why I kept then both and I'm using them in all possible configurations.

If the EF400 is a truly a NOS DAC, I would suggest you try out HQPlayer to get the most out of it.

 

[Erick Muller]

@Simon Patten yeah, looks like I'm sold.

@aurallychallenged this is definitely helpful. I'm aware of the temperature issue and was wondering if a simple USB fan placed under a unit could help with that.

Yep, I have a el cheapo double 120mm under the amp, I had to turn them on yesterday because I was running my HD6XX on 100ma mode on high gain for a couple of hours and it pass my temp threshold of 65 degrees, temps came down to 61 and I turn the fans off. It's an inconvenience for sure but that's only something that I do when I want to go full bore on the sound which is not that often nowadays, will have to wait for summer to see if I need to turn the fans on more often.