REVIEW – Aune X1s Pro Desktop AMP/DAC
Specifications
Price: U$D 299 / € 299.
Available
in Black or Silver colors.
The
Aune X1s Pro arrives in a standard box. An outer paperboard cover with a
picture of the X1s Pro unit with the main features at the front and all the
technical specifications at the back. The box is all black cardboard, simple
with no fancy presentation. The unit itself is placed at the upper layer held
by a thick foam material, and underneath all the included needed accessories –
a power DC adapter with removable cable, USB cable of Type A to Printer plugs
(Type B), mini-CD with the drivers and manual, and 6.35mm to 3.5mm adapter as
the X1s Pro only has 6.35mm analog output. Extra optical and RCA cables might
have been useful, but not really missing for the entry level device.
Design
As
part of the Aune X series for desktop use, and more specifically the X1
Amp&DAC line, the X1s Pro is fairly transportable and relatively compact
device. It has the right dimensions to be used with personal computers or
notebooks without occupying too much space, or can be stacked along a more
dedicated desktop audio player and then connected to speakers to complete a
full audio setup.
Build
quality is very good, with the whole external chassis made by very thick
aluminum in a matte finish, and in this case, all black color. The design is elegant
and discreet. The top part is not flat, instead it has a slight curve from the
right to left sides; the result is nicer, though may not be most favorable when
having it stacked with another device atop of it. At the bottom part there four
feet with fixed silicone covers in order to protect the device and prevent it
from sliding. Also, weighting about 2kg it is easy to carry and switch with
different sources. The only thing I do not like is the rough surface finish
which may also be prone to scratches.
As
can be seen, the layout is pretty simple and well arranged. On the front panel
there is a single button that works to switch between the four different inputs,
USB, optical, coaxial, and line-in, and also to toggle between the three audio
filters supported by the X1s Pro. A dedicated button for the filters modes
would have been more convenient, but those who do not care about the so subtle
changes can easily overlook this. There is a LED light over each input to
indicate the selected one. It should be noted that the device will always start
on the USB input as default; a minor issue. At the middle of the panel there is
the headphone jack, limited to a single-ended 6.35mm plug only. And to the
right side, there is the large round volume knob. It
works very well, not loose and not too tight either, with a smooth volume
adjustment that suits nice to more sensitive gears.
The
real panel is just more populated with all the multiple connections supported
by the X1s. Each one is labeled so it is more than self-explanatory. The power
button and DC power input are aligned together. In the middle there are the
coaxial, optical and USB input sockets. The USB is a printer USB type (aka Type
B), and clueless why hasn’t it been updated to a more modern type. The Optical
port is well covered too. And lastly, the RCA connections, right and left, for
both line-in and line-out. Do note that the 3 inputs support different bit,
sampling and DSD rates – the numbers are good, considering the price and entry
level of a desktop device. Worth mentioning that it is possible to control the
volume on the different inputs with the volume knob, while the line-out has a
fixed volume.
The
DAC chip inside is a dual Sabre ES9018K2M. Nothing new on the audio world, and
already implemented on previous Aune devices. It supports three filters modes,
standard ones, Fast and Slow roll-off and Apodizing Fast.
The
setup is very easy. While there is a mini-CD for driver installation to be used
as USB DAC, there was no need for it when paired with a Win10 system. Also,
with Android DAPs like the HiBy R6 Pro and iBasso DX220, and even with a
Shanling M5s, the connectivity is solid enough.
Sound
Impressions
Headphones and Earphones:
Dita Audio Twins; final
E4000, E5000, B1; Sendy Audio Aiva; Meze Audio 99 Classics; Custom Art Fibae
Black; final Sonorous II; SoundMAGIC Vento P55; VE Zen 2.
Sources:
iBasso DX220 and HiBy R6
Pro (both with USB & Coaxial), Asus Notebook (Win10), Shanling M5s.
Amp/DAC: xDuoo XD-05
& XD-10 (Poke)
As
the new model for the entry level Amplifier & DAC line, the X1 Pro uses the
Sabre ES9038Q2M dual DAC chip. It is not to the specific DAC used but the
implementation of it, and even though different sources may use a same chip the
sonic results are not obliged to be same or even similar. Technical abilities are
still shared, and so the limitations.
The
X1s Pro is not intended to compete with more dedicated devices, but still for
an entry-fi it is a solid option, at least as a desktop yet transportable
solution. As such, it is has plenty of power for easy to drive gears and well
matched for moderately demanding ones. Not best suited for very sensitive
earphones, like IEMs with low impedance (multiple BA or hybrids), or at least
not with the source volume set very high. And on the other hand, the X1s Pro
would not be enough for very hard to drive headphones. Not for the lack of
volume, but more exactly for not reaching the best dynamic range and speed. It
simply shows best synergy with dynamic drivers based earphones and headphones.
Subjectively,
the X1s Pro Amp/DAC offers fairly linear sound presentation. It is not
completely neutral, though. But there is no real coloration or much emphasis on
a very specific region. The device may be lacking Bass or Treble gains, however
it is not missing any in terms of overall balance. The tonality is a bit
towards the cool side of things, trying to show more technical characteristics
than musicality or emotion on the sound. Not to be mistaken as flat or
analytical, because it definitely is not, rather being more dry sounding and
uncolored. Even so, a slight emphasis on the low-end is present. It becomes
very obvious when going from headphones light bass sets to heavier ones. If
something is very neutral, then it can be slightly north of neutral, and with
warmer sets the bass will be more forward and powerful, and in occasions even
annoying.
For
example, the final B3 with 2 BA units and the Dita Audio Fidelity can sound a
little fuller on the bass, while the E5000 and Meze 99 Classics will get too
much emphasis, sounding less natural and refined.
Bass
quality is actually good, considering the entry level of the Aune X series. There
is good extension and depth with fine separation. Resolution is decent but not
the best for most busy tracks, and speed is just moderate for a desktop
amplifier.
The
midrange is very clean. The slight emphasis on the bass does not add warmth nor
does it affect the quality here, maybe a touch darker in tonality. It is so
very linear, pretty neutral if a bit more forward, though the colder tone is
easier to notice. The final E4000, Dita Fealty, Fibae Black and the Meze 99
headphones are good examples for the trade of richness and sweetness from the
X1s Pro over more technical detail and sharper separation. The sound is full,
though it tends to be rather dry sounding.
The
treble has very good quality. There isn’t the emphasis as on the lows, and
actually can sound smoother, bringing a slight darker tone to the presentation.
It is easily noticed with brighter sets like the Sendy Aiva and the Dita
Fidelity, both which have a brighter signature, and with the X1s Pro sound more
subdued. It is not a bad thing per-se, because the X1s Pro shows very good
control on the treble. The extension doesn’t feel limited at all and the micro
detail retrieval does stand out as well as treble resolution. Not the very
organic treble, which is not unusual for Sabre chips based DACs at more
affordable prices, but yes it is airy and very clean.
The
presentation is what would expected on a desktop amplifier, large and spacious.
There is more width than depth and a sharper right and left channels
differentiation.
Parings:
Meze
99 Classics
Bass
is stronger than what I was used with the 99 Classics and the midrange less
engaging, especially on vocals missing texture. The treble is nicer even though
smoother and less sparkly, but the control is very good, something that 99
Classics really benefit from. For classical and similar music the pairing is
very favorable with a clean instruments separation. Violins and brass instruments
sound particularly good. Not for pop, rock or electronic genres, though.
Dita
Audio Fidelity
From
the two Twins in-ear models, the Fidelity has better synergy with the X1s than
the Fealty. There is a little, yet very favorable gain on the bass and extra
fullness on the midrange, and with the smoother treble it turns out more
balanced even despite missing the sparkle and energy of the brighter Fidelity.
SoundMagic
Vento P55
Similar
good performance as above with the Dita Fidelity, but more bass power with a
noticeable mid-bass lift. Smoother on the treble and thicker on the midrange.
Quite ‘fun’ to listen with the larger soundstage, but of course missing the
portability as an on-ear set.
For
planar headphones, I could only try the Sendy Aiva. A rather
efficient planar set but still needs the power and quality to sound best. The
X1s Pro is not enough for the Aiva. Yes, it can sound loud enough and the
treble is very well controlled; but, it is the speed and dynamics that are
missing here as well as the so high detail the Aiva are capable of.
Venture
Electronics (VE) Zen 2.0
A
very demanding earphones with 320 ohms of impedance and somehow depending on
the source tonality. With the X1s Pro there were no issues with power. Speed
and resolution are very good too. The stage is wide. The presentation gains
more energy on the bass with a thicker midrange, and treble a tad smooth but
very detailed.
Value
Priced
at $300, the Aune X1s Pro is a solid offer for an introductory desktop
option. The multiple inputs option is a plus, though the device lacks the
balanced output alternative, and is limited to only a 6.35mm plug. Sound-wise,
it goes rather linear with very a slight gain on the lows, with a dry midrange
and smoother and well controlled highs. It certainly is powerful for moderate
to a bit more demanding gears, and plays best with dynamic drivers based sets.