Aune S9c Pro - Impressions thread

[Toli]

All headphone outputs are, well, headphone outputs.

The internal circuit of the S9C Pro is balanced, so it will sound the best from the balanced headphone output.

Can't phrase it simpler than that.

Do i need to mute or turn off the Aune s9c Pro before unplugging the headphones to avoid any risk of ruining the headphones or the Aune s9c Pro? Some people say remove the headphones before turning dac/amp off and some say turn off or mute the dac/amp before unplugging/plugging headphones.

Maybe Aune s9c Pro has some special safety features for this?

Thanks

 

[Ichos]

Do i need to mute or turn off the Aune s9c Pro before unplugging the headphones to avoid any risk of ruining the headphones or the Aune s9c Pro? Some people say remove the headphones before turning dac/amp off and some say turn off or mute the dac/amp before unplugging/plugging headphones.

Maybe Aune s9c Pro has some special safety features for this?

Thanks

No need. The Aune S9C Pro will not make a spike when you power it on or off.

 

[Toli]

No need. The Aune S9C Pro will not make a spike when you power it on or off.

The YouTuber SoundNews mentioned that if you live the unit running for four nights the sound changes and becomes better, Is it better to leave the s9C on all the time or it's just a burn in thing?
He mentioned then after you leave it on for few hours to warm, the sound again changes for the better.

Thanks

 

[Ichos]

The YouTuber SoundNews mentioned that if you live the unit running for four nights the sound changes and becomes better, Is it better to leave the s9C on all the time or it's just a burn in thing?
He mentioned then after you leave it on for few hours to warm, the sound again changes for the better.

Thanks

I start all my audio equipment about half or an hour before the listening session. This is enough for me.

 

[Toli]

sorry

I start all my audio equipment about half or an hour before the listening session. This is enough for me.

Do I have to download the driver for s9c because out of the box it has all the formats available but I read somewhere that without the driver it will only have 48hz max.

One very annoying issue is that the remote volume - is functioning as + at rare times, I tried turning unit on and off but its same

First impressions coming from smsl c200, the instruments and voices are more organic and a bit on the brighter/clearer side. My mother loves the tonality even though she wasn't in same room, which i was impressed that she realised straight away but she use to be in music

 

[Ichos]

sorry

Do I have to download the driver for s9c because out of the box it has all the formats available but I read somewhere that without the driver it will only have 48hz max.

One very annoying issue is that the remote volume - is functioning as + at times, I tried turning unit on and off but its same

First impressions coming from smsl c200, the instruments and voices are more organic and a bit on the brighter/clearer side. My mother loves the tonality even though she wasn't in same room, which i was impressed that she realised straight away but she use to be in music

Better install the driver.

 

[Toli]

Better install the driver.

Just did that now and tuned off/on the pc and s9c , thanks



edit: it was good yesterday and today all day but now the volume bug with the remote happened again, the + was working as a - for about 10 seconds

My only wish is to be able to turn off the display, I might have to create some cover that matches the unit

 

[cmepkalocb]

Better install the driver.

Hello! I understand that you do a lot of reviews, but maybe remember how the Aune s9c sounds compared to the K9 PRO ESS.? This is especially true for low frequencies. It is very important to find out. There is no way to listen to s9c anywhere. But I listened to the K9 PRO ESS, literally 4 hours ago and in great detail. I remember the bass in the K9 PRO ESS as very dense, with good amplitude and mass, and fast. NOT clinical and cold. And at the same time, my Topping DX7 pro +, which is on the same 9038 pro chip, sounds brighter on the bass, much closer to the midbass. And the mass itself is less. Because of this, it is often called dry and analytical. When I bought it, I didn't quite understand what it was and how ))) Is that what the S9c sounds like? ) If the bass is as impressive and cool as the K9 PRO ESS, the middle is smooth and the tops are not super bright, then this is a great choice for me. Since I get a similar product, but with an amplifier in class A, and not on THX modules, which sin in that they can emit digital ringing, for example on Hifiman headphones and And heavy guitar music (like metallica and old Annihilator albums. I will be VERY grateful for your answer )) Perhaps someone has already made such a comparison somewhere K9 PRO ESS vs Aune S9c, but all I found are answers in the spirit, they sound equally good, which is more like a person does not want to know or does not remember, but to answer something says the phrase cliche - equally good)))

 

[Toli]

Hello! I understand that you do a lot of reviews, but maybe remember how the Aune s9c sounds compared to the K9 PRO ESS.? This is especially true for low frequencies. It is very important to find out. There is no way to listen to s9c anywhere. But I listened to the K9 PRO ESS, literally 4 hours ago and in great detail. I remember the bass in the K9 PRO ESS as very dense, with good amplitude and mass, and fast. NOT clinical and cold. And at the same time, my Topping DX7 pro +, which is on the same 9038 pro chip, sounds brighter on the bass, much closer to the midbass. And the mass itself is less. Because of this, it is often called dry and analytical. When I bought it, I didn't quite understand what it was and how ))) Is that what the S9c sounds like? ) If the bass is as impressive and cool as the K9 PRO ESS, the middle is smooth and the tops are not super bright, then this is a great choice for me. Since I get a similar product, but with an amplifier in class A, and not on THX modules, which sin in that they can emit digital ringing, for example on Hifiman headphones and And heavy guitar music (like metallica and old Annihilator albums. I will be VERY grateful for your answer )) Perhaps someone has already made such a comparison somewhere K9 PRO ESS vs Aune S9c, but all I found are answers in the spirit, they sound equally good, which is more like a person does not want to know or does not remember, but to answer something says the phrase cliche - equally good)))

https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2023/10/fiio-k9-pro-ess-dac-amp-sound-versatility-unbound.html


He explains some of the differences

 

[Ichos]

Hello! I understand that you do a lot of reviews, but maybe remember how the Aune s9c sounds compared to the K9 PRO ESS.? This is especially true for low frequencies. It is very important to find out. There is no way to listen to s9c anywhere. But I listened to the K9 PRO ESS, literally 4 hours ago and in great detail. I remember the bass in the K9 PRO ESS as very dense, with good amplitude and mass, and fast. NOT clinical and cold. And at the same time, my Topping DX7 pro +, which is on the same 9038 pro chip, sounds brighter on the bass, much closer to the midbass. And the mass itself is less. Because of this, it is often called dry and analytical. When I bought it, I didn't quite understand what it was and how ))) Is that what the S9c sounds like? ) If the bass is as impressive and cool as the K9 PRO ESS, the middle is smooth and the tops are not super bright, then this is a great choice for me. Since I get a similar product, but with an amplifier in class A, and not on THX modules, which sin in that they can emit digital ringing, for example on Hifiman headphones and And heavy guitar music (like metallica and old Annihilator albums. I will be VERY grateful for your answer )) Perhaps someone has already made such a comparison somewhere K9 PRO ESS vs Aune S9c, but all I found are answers in the spirit, they sound equally good, which is more like a person does not want to know or does not remember, but to answer something says the phrase cliche - equally good)))

Nice writing!
Well the differences are like how you describe them. With the Aune S9C Pro you get rid of the THX amplifiers and you you get a less digital/sterile and more analog sound signature. The bass is as dense and impactful but maybe a bit less defined and technical. The mids are smooth and the treble not as bright as in the FiiO.
Yes, I think that this is going to be a great choice for you.

 

[Toli]

@Ichos Is the balanced cable supposed to give a thicker sound and little bit more bass?

HD 490 pro with Aune s9c Pro

Thanks

 

[Ichos]

@Ichos Is the balanced cable supposed to give a thicker sound and little bit more bass?

HD 490 pro with Aune s9c Pro

Thanks

It is supposed to give larger soundstage, better separation, tighter bass, better layering and definition.

 

[Toli]

It is supposed to give larger soundstage, better separation, tighter bass, better layering and definition.

Hmmm for me the cable from CustomCans is giving me thicker bass and sound overall has more body/warmth, not sure if it matters which balanced cable I use.

With default cable the sound overall is definitely thinner and little less bass, im confused if it's supposed to do this


edit: for music this is better i feel but for games where there's background low bass sound going on all time and many sounds at the same time it seems worse because its thicker sound, for BattleRoyale games the less the bass the better

 

[Ichos]

Hmmm for me the cable from CustomCans is giving me thicker bass and sound overall has more body/warmth, not sure if it matters which balanced cable I use.

With default cable the sound overall is definitely thinner and little less bass, im confused if it's supposed to do this


edit: for music this is better i feel but for games where there's background low bass sound going on all time and many sounds at the same time it seems worse because its thicker sound, for BattleRoyale games the less the bass the better

What you hear is how it sounds!
From what you are describing the sound quality is better from the balanced output.

 

[Toli]

What you hear is how it sounds!
From what you are describing the sound quality is better from the balanced output.

Yeah it's definitely better, more pleasing to the ear but I'm confused because you say tighter bass, I'm experiencing little more bass but then again this audio language is very confusing specifically for someone like me