I own T1 for few weeks, maybe about 3-4 weeks. Come with EH 6922 tube. This DAC amp doesn't make me happy at first. Sharp, bright instrument sound especially cymbal. It is too bright for a bright headphone lover like me.
Distortion guitar riff in metal or rock songs become messy, and not clear. I almost get my self a new amp to overcome overbright issue. So I decided to explore this thing. My biggest mistake is in the connection and gain setting. Seems like the default db for mine is 10db. And, since my laptop only have 3 USB ports, I decide to use USB port adapter for my Aune T1. So I do comparison for connecting T1 directly to USB port vs USB port adapter. But after the exploration, I think it's time for me to get a new tube and USB cable for starting.
Foobar> Kernel Streaming> Aune T1> Senn HD 600
Setup 1
Laptop> USB port> USB adapter> Aune T1> Senn HD 600
Setup 2
Laptop> USB port> Aune T1> Senn HD 600
Result: I prefer setup 2 now. To my ears, the sharp instrument sound as cymbal are acceptable. No sound breaking anymore while listening. This is just cheap USB adapter that powered by USB port, sharing keyboard, mouse and Aune T1. I wonder the same result for adapter powered USB port.
For 10db vs 16db comparison, my result is 16db suit my HD 600 more.
Toni Braxton - I Don't Want To (mp3 320kbps)
16db revealed the piano in background. In 10db the piano is there but somehow hidden. I don't even know that if it's piano or some percussion. At first I thought I need to increase the volume know in 10db to get the same sound as 16db but I was wrong. Increasing the volume in 10db just make the music loud, not what I expect.
Daft Punk - Get Lucky (flac)
10db, the "hand clapping" sound distant as in a big hall. Not suitable for this genre IMO. So, 16db "hand clapping" sound close, the music feel energetic like it should be. The bass and drum sound fun. And again, increasing volume in 10db vs 16db doesn't make they sound the same. The guitar and bass sound muddy in 10db. The bass is there but it's sound like Logitech speaker bass. It's boom-boom but not doom-doom. Change to 16db, this is the bass that I want. Everything become clear, the vocal, the cymbal, and guitar. While the bass, tight, and doom-doom.
Avenged Sevenfold - Welcome To The Family (flac)
10db make the distortion guitar along with the drum hidden behind the vocalist. I was in a band before and played few instruments, join some gigs etc. 10db sound like wrong setup in a gig where I can hear the vocal loud, while the drum are louder than the guitar and the bass. And the bass are muddy IMO, not energetic while the drum sound like need to be adjust. 16db, the music become energetic. I will say this is the correct instrument setup where everything sound balance. I get goosebumps when they doing the guitar solo in 10db. Sound synchronize. In 10db, what I heard is the lead guitar volume is louder than the second guitar. Sound like wrong setup for the guitar speaker. Increasing volume in 10db vs 16db doesn't make they sound the same.
Alison Krauss - It Wouldn't Have Made a Difference (flac)
10db sound like in a large, airy hall. The guitar plucking sound distant behind Alison voice. The percussion and piano sound weak. in 16db, her vocal become more reveal along with the piano, guitar and other percussion. They sound closer to ear. It's like night and day different for 10db vs 16db. 10db is in a hall, while 16db is you stand close in front of the performance.
Jòsef Mukki; Budapest Camerata/Laszlo Kovacs - Handel, Serse, HWV 40 - Ombra Mai Fu (Largo) (flac)
My favorite track from Classical Favourites Opera album. 10db, the vocal sound like he's behind the violin. And the guitar string sound wrong. I don't know how to explain but it's just not like it should be. Everything sound wrong. But it's the vocal and violin are noticeable. The voice should give you goosebumps, energetic and and clear. And I thought with other tracks that sound in a hall with 10db, I'm surprise because it's even for classical opera 10db make the music not enjoyable. So 16db, the voice... Gosh, give me goosebumps. I can hear the the voice vibration, almost like watching recording session. The guitar sound more acoustic instead of metal string. And the violin, it's sound like they're next to the singer on stage. In other word, even with eyes closed I think someone who never try T1 can hear the different.
Alan Jackson - Amazing Grace (flac)
There's not so much different for the piano intro for both db. But when Alan start singing, I get goosebumps on 16db. The vocal sound full, not dull like in 10db. And background music in 10db sound "blanketed", only Alan's vocal highlighted. And during the solo, 10db just make things worst. To my ear, I the piano and other background sound like a dirty cassette tape. But when I turn to 16db, the piano and other background instrument become clear. Oh Alan, you're a heaven sent singer...
My summary:
-Aune T1 is really as good as being hype.
-T1 definitely will change your listening experience. Some background instrument will become very clear, noticeable.
-Bright sound, and I love it. Just like Beyer headphones.
-Need proper connection. Please connect directly to your source USB port.
-I believe by messing with the db switch for long time, this can affect the sound balance in case the switch faulty.
-Speaker and headphone friendly. A good DAC amp for my headphone, and a DAC for my speaker.
English is 4th language, forgive for the grammar mistake and inappropriate of word usage. I think you guys notice I didn't use audiophile term. Well, that's because I'm newbie in this. I just love music and headphone. I hope this will help other people out there. This post suppose to be short but somehow I didn't realize that I type this long while listening to my music collection.
Since you are "bright-lover" then I will even recommend not GAC but A-frame GA8, GAG or GAE - they have tinybit brighter highs. Philips PCC189 (Heerlen), Mullard ECC88 (Heerlen) can be cheaper options if you can find and get lucky.
