Aune S17 pro

Dec 15, 2023 at 2:06 AM Post #646 of 3,325
Apart from the heat and 4.4mm jack issues, do you also have the dodgy volume control that has inconsistent steps? - i read that first step is unusable with sensitive IEMs as there's a +15db jump from 0 to 1 step.. not to mention 55>56 +6db is or something similar.. and apparently as a pre amp > speakers this volume control can create problems to narrow down a usable range.
Actually I think volume step is pretty consistent. I notice that 0-1 probably is decent jump as I can hear music at quiet volume on not the easiest drive headphone. I imagine sensitive IEM might have jump you mentioned. But this thing wasn't designed for IEM I think? This I think is stellar amp if they can get the temp tamed and have better QC for the price. Which it isn't since what I've seen is it isn't controlled nor QC was great.
 
Dec 15, 2023 at 2:09 AM Post #647 of 3,325
Actually I think volume step is pretty consistent. I notice that 0-1 probably is decent jump as I can hear music at quiet volume on not the easiest drive headphone. I imagine sensitive IEM might have jump you mentioned. But this thing wasn't designed for IEM I think? This I think is stellar amp if they can get the temp tamed and have better QC for the price. Which it isn't since what I've seen is it isn't controlled nor QC was great.
What you can do is open up the case and add some thermal pads used for computer builds (linking the hot areas to the case/additional heat sinks) that might be enough to drive down the temp by 5c - 10c making it usable. You shouldn't have to do this though
 
Dec 15, 2023 at 2:14 AM Post #648 of 3,325
What you can do is open up the case and add some thermal pads used for computer builds (linking the hot areas to the case/additional heat sinks) that might be enough to drive down the temp by 5c - 10c making it usable. You shouldn't have to do this though
My point exactly. I have no interest in opening this up and modifying it. I would rather pay a little more to get the quality and expected reliability rather than having to making things work. Oh, and I am fully equipped to do this if I wish. I do have CNC mills I can use to do some fancy stuff if needed be, experience working with PC builds of some extreme end (used to be another hobby I had), etc.
It doesn't help that the vendor I've reached out so far has been asking for photos, videos and specifies of usage condition, etc. as if I need to prove that the product is defective. Which I've been recording and video recording diligently in case I need to bring it to my CC issuer as my trust level has been going down and down each correspondence. I really wish I just bought it from Amazon so I can make it their problem instead of mine for this unit. It is a shame that this is going down the not so pleasant experience for me. But it could be worse :)
 
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Dec 15, 2023 at 2:22 AM Post #649 of 3,325
My point exactly. I have no interest in opening this up and modifying it. I would rather pay a little more to get the quality and expected reliability rather than having to making things work. Oh, and I am fully equipped to do this if I wish. I do have CNC mills I can use to do some fancy stuff if needed be, experience working with PC builds of some extreme end (used to be another hobby I had), etc.
It doesn't help that the vendor I've reached out so far has been asking for photos, videos and specifies of usage condition, etc. as if I need to prove that the product is defective. Which I've been recording and video recording diligently in case I need to bring it to my CC issuer as my trust level has been going down and down each correspondence. I really wish I just bought it from Amazon so I can make it their problem instead of mine for this unit. It is a shame that this is going down the not so pleasant experience for me. But it could be worse :)
My I ask who is the vendor? Just in case I decide to take the risk.. as you say though, Amazon might be best route but I don't think it's available in my country.
 
Dec 15, 2023 at 3:41 AM Post #650 of 3,325
Hi! I’m currently trying to pick one between Audio-GD Master 19 and Aune S17 Pro. Which one do you prefer and why?
Hi, I can make the description only from my memory (sold it sometime ago), and also, I had another headphones with Master 19 (GL2000, AQ Nighthawk), so it is not very valuable. But I was generally satisfied with M19, I used it as preamp with Audio GD power amp at first and then as HP amp. The sound was warmer and smowhat softer, the S17 pro is a little bit cleaner, and has sharper edges, bass area is much better from S17 pro (tighter, more detail). The M19 should be great with brighter HPs. M19 has a really great realay exponential volume control, usable also with sensitive IEMS (much better implementation, than S17 pro), so it is better as a preamp. There is a very good video on YT from MidFi Guy - M19 with Burson soloist, violectrics ans some other amps comparison... look at it, I agree with his description. For my ears (from memory) the s17 pro is better choice in all areas, except the volume implementation...
 
Dec 15, 2023 at 4:10 AM Post #651 of 3,325
Hi, I can make the description only from my memory (sold it sometime ago), and also, I had another headphones with Master 19 (GL2000, AQ Nighthawk), so it is not very valuable. But I was generally satisfied with M19, I used it as preamp with Audio GD power amp at first and then as HP amp. The sound was warmer and smowhat softer, the S17 pro is a little bit cleaner, and has sharper edges, bass area is much better from S17 pro (tighter, more detail). The M19 should be great with brighter HPs. M19 has a really great realay exponential volume control, usable also with sensitive IEMS (much better implementation, than S17 pro), so it is better as a preamp. There is a very good video on YT from MidFi Guy - M19 with Burson soloist, violectrics ans some other amps comparison... look at it, I agree with his description. For my ears (from memory) the s17 pro is better choice in all areas, except the volume implementation...
I’d really like to go for Aune S17 Pro, but volume and heating is a big issue, I’ve also heard different opinion about M19, stating it was miles away better than S17 pro, so I’m trying to ask as many ppl as possible, in order ti have as much information before pulling the trigger on one of them. Of course it’s always a subjective thing when it comes to judge gears: we all have different heads, ears and taste (and I think it’s beautiful), but I’m afraid I should have both in front of me for a couple of weeks before choosing, even though heating, especially in Summer is already a big NO for me. Thanks for your answer :)
 
Dec 15, 2023 at 8:29 AM Post #652 of 3,325
What has using the 100amp got to do with being a quiet listener? I suggest you hold off from buying products that you don't understand.
When using 100 amp mode the temp seems to rise until reaching 69. And then the machine automatically lowers to 50 amp to run cooler. This is what I get from I have read so far.

The machine seems to run hot, so I was looking at options.
 
Dec 15, 2023 at 10:16 AM Post #653 of 3,325
The machine seems to run hot
To be more precise, the device overheats for SOME users.
And after that, it switches to a lower-quality "junior" sound mode.
And that could be a problem.
 
Dec 15, 2023 at 11:15 AM Post #654 of 3,325
Probably the users that live in warm places or are in the hot months of the year. My unit runs hot until it switches to 50ma - it's around 25°C around here. Need more listening time, but I would say that it takes one hour so it reaches 69 °C. Using 20mm tall aluminium feet. The sound is really good though, and the volume works just fine.
 
Dec 15, 2023 at 11:31 AM Post #655 of 3,325
To be more precise, the device overheats for SOME users
That's what strikes me as odd and troubling--different users seem to have very different experiences with heat and the S17. It's winter now for me (and probably most S17 users) and outside daytime temperatures (I rarely use the S17 at night when I am usually at the TV) here have probably mainly been 40-50°F (5-10°C; sorry, I'm a dumb American and while I can roughly convert metric distances in my head, I'm just lost in Celsius and need a conversion table). I like it cool and often have a window cracked even at those temperatures, so I'd guess the temperature in my apartment is around 70°F (21°C) or even a little less. I have the S17 raised about 22.5mm above my DAC and even after 3-4 hours operation at 100mA, it stays around 63-64°. It's never gone above 65°. Though I guess at worst, a fairly inexpensive quiet fan (like the one linked in a recent post) should keep it below 69° in summer.
 
Dec 15, 2023 at 12:25 PM Post #656 of 3,325
That's what strikes me as odd and troubling--different users seem to have very different experiences with heat and the S17. It's winter now for me (and probably most S17 users) and outside daytime temperatures (I rarely use the S17 at night when I am usually at the TV) here have probably mainly been 40-50°F (5-10°C; sorry, I'm a dumb American and while I can roughly convert metric distances in my head, I'm just lost in Celsius and need a conversion table). I like it cool and often have a window cracked even at those temperatures, so I'd guess the temperature in my apartment is around 70°F (21°C) or even a little less. I have the S17 raised about 22.5mm above my DAC and even after 3-4 hours operation at 100mA, it stays around 63-64°. It's never gone above 65°. Though I guess at worst, a fairly inexpensive quiet fan (like the one linked in a recent post) should keep it below 69° in summer.
I do wonder what it will be like in hot/muggy summer in NJ. Or the blistering heat of Florida, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, etc.

Here in Atlantic Canada, we don't have Real hot summers or Real tough winters, but I do wonder how this amp will fare.
 
Dec 15, 2023 at 12:28 PM Post #657 of 3,325
That's what strikes me as odd and troubling--different users seem to have very different experiences with heat and the S17.
Isn't it that older models had these problems and the volume issue, at least, was rectified during the production run? Aune recently posted here offering an update to fix it but I've been talking to them about it and they're not at all helpful.

Class A amps are by their very nature hot-running but I don't know hot the S17 gets compared to others. I may well add an extra heat-sink when mine arrives.
 
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Dec 15, 2023 at 12:29 PM Post #658 of 3,325
Isn't it that older models had these problems and the volume issue was rectified during the production run? Aune recently posted here offering an update to fix it but I've been talking to them about it and they're not at all helpful.
I think that is just for the volume issues.
 
Dec 15, 2023 at 12:35 PM Post #659 of 3,325
Dec 15, 2023 at 12:45 PM Post #660 of 3,325
The sonic difference between 50ma and 100ma bias current is actually very slight And probably most noticeable with inefficient headphones at high levels that are drawing more than 50ma of current in their drivers
 

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