legion1capone
100+ Head-Fier
Before we start:
I am no expert in sound engineering or do I have any access to measurement test rigs or anything of that nature. What I do have is my love of this hobby and my ears. I am still learning terms and descriptive lingo, so go easy on me. I've been into audio/video ever since I was a kid. It's always been with me and I'll never stop listening or looking for the next best thing. Below is a comparison of the Geshelli Labs Enog2 Pro DAC and the Aune X1S with the Aune XP1 power supply.
My setup:
I am using my PC that I built myself. I run my audio from my motherboard into the DACs about to be reviewed which is then connected with my Morrow Audio MA3 interconnects into my Geshelli Labs Archel Pro headphone amp. The headphones I used for this comparison are the ZMF classics. Which are essentially one of the best modded T50RP MK3's made, in my opinion. Everything is plugged into my Furman M8DX power conditioner. I also have an Aune X7S, JDS Labs OL DAC, Massdrop SDAC, Monoprice liquid spark, Schiit audio Magni 2U, and a total collection of 5 headphones so far.
The comparison:
I've used the Aune in my system for some time now. It was the first real DAC that I have purchased for desk use and have been very happy with is performance so far. Before we start I want to note I am using the upgraded power supply (XP1) with the X1S. It does help produce a much cleaner sound than with the power supply that came in the box. Honestly though I found I got more of a benefit from the Morrow audio cables in my system than the upgraded power supply for the X1S. As for the X7S... the upgraded power supply (XP1) made a large difference in sound and I highly recommend it. But we are getting off topic.
Features and connectivity:
Now features on these two dac's might as well be polar opposites. But not in a bad way! They both are very good dacs for the money and depending on what your looking for will not go wrong with either. The Enog2 is extremely simple. It will output up to 24/192, it has 2 inputs along with RCA and!...and!... balanced outs! I don't know of any other dac anywhere near its price with balanced outs. Both the RCA and XLR outputs can be plugged in and run at the same time. The Enog2 also has 3 volume levels for the outputs that can be changed by a simple press and hold of the front input button. The Aune has quite a few more features, some useful some irrelevant to most of us. The Aune has 4 inputs and 2 outputs along with a good but weak headphone amp with 1/4” jack. The Aune has 3 filters which I find useful depending on what headphones I'm using. It also does up-to 24/192 and can do 32/384 DSD. So essentially one is a barebones all about straight to the point sound with no frills but plenty of thrills (Enog2). Whereas the other has a list full of connectivity options and features. Some useful some not. I will not be talking about the built in amp on the Aune. All you need to know is the new $100 amps on the market trump it.
Looks:
The Aune is sleak and sexy with it's slightly curved top and oh so black exterior. I love how the inputs and outputs on the back can be read when you are looking down at it. Makes it so easy. But it's essentially a fancy looking black box like every other piece of audio gear ever made. I find the Enog2 to be a welcome change to the industry. I have the metal case with front and back done in plexi glass (I think). My case is purple and the LED lights inside illuminate the interior of the case and board up nicely. I frankly think it's beautiful. Sherri from Geshelli Labs has told me Geno is a big fan of the 80's so this is where the extra bit of flair comes from, but the purple case was all her idea. Well done Geno and Sherri well done! I love it, not only does the Enog2 sound fantastic but it also employs another one of my senses that most other gear simply doesn't do. Sight... It makes me happy just looking at it.
Aune X1S sound:
This dac is full bodied and sweet sounding. It has an effortless sound to it that sounds good with every genre of music. The way it traverses the highs in a song is fantastic, so sweet, fast and crisp. It is also forgiving with lesser recordings. I feel this is what is does better than the lower end dac's I've tried (OL dac, SDAC). Both where smoother in comparison but didn't have the magic that I get with the Aune.
Geshelli Labs Enog2 Pro sound:
This is my latest purchase and am frankly blown away at what it delivers at its price point. I'll try my best to convey these differences. It still has a full bodied sound to vocals and instruments but with so much tighter sounding. It still has that sweet, fast and crisp top end like the Aune. This dac is a detail freak! It seems every-time I make an upgrade, it always makes me re-evaluate what I thought my music sounded like. The Enog2 was no exception. The amount of detail this dac delivers is honestly amazing! The way it layers the band in relation to the singer, and the other added nuances never seems to overshadow one another. I can focus on anything that is happening in the track and here it perfectly in its own space, detailed, natural and clean. It also has added a height and depth to the headstage that I have never heard before. Again it makes me re-evaluate! So cool. I will say it is not as forgiving as the Aune with lesser recordings. It doesn't make them sound bad, its just that you'll hear everything bad in that recording. I can see why Geno at Geshelli Labs is always mentioning studio gear and equipment, because this dac is so transparent and detailed. You aren't going to miss a thing lol.
Conclusion:
If your looking for a connectivity, features and a dac that will sound good with everything from lesser recordings to masters look no further than the Aune X1S. But if your someone who loves simplicity and wants to hear every little detail in the recording the Enog2 is a no brainer. I was hoping to find a DAC that I would find to be better and cheaper than the X1S and I've found it. I won't be using anything else anytime soon. Geshelli Labs has me officially in their court.
I will be posting a comparison of the Geshelli Labs Archel Pro amp compared to the Monoprice Liquid spark and Aune X7S+XP1 in the next day or so.
I am no expert in sound engineering or do I have any access to measurement test rigs or anything of that nature. What I do have is my love of this hobby and my ears. I am still learning terms and descriptive lingo, so go easy on me. I've been into audio/video ever since I was a kid. It's always been with me and I'll never stop listening or looking for the next best thing. Below is a comparison of the Geshelli Labs Enog2 Pro DAC and the Aune X1S with the Aune XP1 power supply.
My setup:
I am using my PC that I built myself. I run my audio from my motherboard into the DACs about to be reviewed which is then connected with my Morrow Audio MA3 interconnects into my Geshelli Labs Archel Pro headphone amp. The headphones I used for this comparison are the ZMF classics. Which are essentially one of the best modded T50RP MK3's made, in my opinion. Everything is plugged into my Furman M8DX power conditioner. I also have an Aune X7S, JDS Labs OL DAC, Massdrop SDAC, Monoprice liquid spark, Schiit audio Magni 2U, and a total collection of 5 headphones so far.
The comparison:
I've used the Aune in my system for some time now. It was the first real DAC that I have purchased for desk use and have been very happy with is performance so far. Before we start I want to note I am using the upgraded power supply (XP1) with the X1S. It does help produce a much cleaner sound than with the power supply that came in the box. Honestly though I found I got more of a benefit from the Morrow audio cables in my system than the upgraded power supply for the X1S. As for the X7S... the upgraded power supply (XP1) made a large difference in sound and I highly recommend it. But we are getting off topic.
Features and connectivity:
Now features on these two dac's might as well be polar opposites. But not in a bad way! They both are very good dacs for the money and depending on what your looking for will not go wrong with either. The Enog2 is extremely simple. It will output up to 24/192, it has 2 inputs along with RCA and!...and!... balanced outs! I don't know of any other dac anywhere near its price with balanced outs. Both the RCA and XLR outputs can be plugged in and run at the same time. The Enog2 also has 3 volume levels for the outputs that can be changed by a simple press and hold of the front input button. The Aune has quite a few more features, some useful some irrelevant to most of us. The Aune has 4 inputs and 2 outputs along with a good but weak headphone amp with 1/4” jack. The Aune has 3 filters which I find useful depending on what headphones I'm using. It also does up-to 24/192 and can do 32/384 DSD. So essentially one is a barebones all about straight to the point sound with no frills but plenty of thrills (Enog2). Whereas the other has a list full of connectivity options and features. Some useful some not. I will not be talking about the built in amp on the Aune. All you need to know is the new $100 amps on the market trump it.
Looks:
The Aune is sleak and sexy with it's slightly curved top and oh so black exterior. I love how the inputs and outputs on the back can be read when you are looking down at it. Makes it so easy. But it's essentially a fancy looking black box like every other piece of audio gear ever made. I find the Enog2 to be a welcome change to the industry. I have the metal case with front and back done in plexi glass (I think). My case is purple and the LED lights inside illuminate the interior of the case and board up nicely. I frankly think it's beautiful. Sherri from Geshelli Labs has told me Geno is a big fan of the 80's so this is where the extra bit of flair comes from, but the purple case was all her idea. Well done Geno and Sherri well done! I love it, not only does the Enog2 sound fantastic but it also employs another one of my senses that most other gear simply doesn't do. Sight... It makes me happy just looking at it.
Aune X1S sound:
This dac is full bodied and sweet sounding. It has an effortless sound to it that sounds good with every genre of music. The way it traverses the highs in a song is fantastic, so sweet, fast and crisp. It is also forgiving with lesser recordings. I feel this is what is does better than the lower end dac's I've tried (OL dac, SDAC). Both where smoother in comparison but didn't have the magic that I get with the Aune.
Geshelli Labs Enog2 Pro sound:
This is my latest purchase and am frankly blown away at what it delivers at its price point. I'll try my best to convey these differences. It still has a full bodied sound to vocals and instruments but with so much tighter sounding. It still has that sweet, fast and crisp top end like the Aune. This dac is a detail freak! It seems every-time I make an upgrade, it always makes me re-evaluate what I thought my music sounded like. The Enog2 was no exception. The amount of detail this dac delivers is honestly amazing! The way it layers the band in relation to the singer, and the other added nuances never seems to overshadow one another. I can focus on anything that is happening in the track and here it perfectly in its own space, detailed, natural and clean. It also has added a height and depth to the headstage that I have never heard before. Again it makes me re-evaluate! So cool. I will say it is not as forgiving as the Aune with lesser recordings. It doesn't make them sound bad, its just that you'll hear everything bad in that recording. I can see why Geno at Geshelli Labs is always mentioning studio gear and equipment, because this dac is so transparent and detailed. You aren't going to miss a thing lol.
Conclusion:
If your looking for a connectivity, features and a dac that will sound good with everything from lesser recordings to masters look no further than the Aune X1S. But if your someone who loves simplicity and wants to hear every little detail in the recording the Enog2 is a no brainer. I was hoping to find a DAC that I would find to be better and cheaper than the X1S and I've found it. I won't be using anything else anytime soon. Geshelli Labs has me officially in their court.
I will be posting a comparison of the Geshelli Labs Archel Pro amp compared to the Monoprice Liquid spark and Aune X7S+XP1 in the next day or so.
