Introduction
Aune is an established HiFi audio brand that don’t need any more introduction. Famous with their mostly digital to audio converter (DAC) and amplifier (AMP) products, the signature X1 DAC/AMP series is back again with fresh design makeover and next generation internal technologies. Integrated with rare fully discrete balanced amplification at this price point, the Aune X1s GT are also packed with newly Phase Locked Loop (PLL) clock technology and custom-made DAC filters. But the question will always be how does it perform and sound? Happy reading everyone.
Packaging & Accessories
Nothing really special here, just a fairly medium sized box containing the unit itself; a power adapter and cord; a USB type A to type B data cable; and a quick start guide. Nonetheless, at least the power adapter included is a high quality switched-mode power supply (SMPS) one from MEAN WELL.
Design & Features
Handsome, sleek, elegant, and sporty. Probably inspired by a sport car, the X1s GT has a black and red theme colour design with most importantly the classic Aune “X” arc shape chassis. Aune aesthetic will always be original and different from other brands that have plain and boring looking DACs and AMPs. On the back, this DAC/AMP has 2 analog output which are the RCA line and preamp outputs. Input wise, it has power input port, optical and coax inputs, USB input, and a uniquely clock input for external clock such as the Aune XC1. There is also switch power button at the back. On the front, the biggest attractor will be the ALPS potentiometer surrounded by a red LED light that can be switched on or off. In terms of headphone output, Aune offers 6.35mm single ended and also 4.4mm balanced outputs. Unfortunately, a 3.5mm-6.35mm adapter is not included by Aune which can be a bummer for some people especially for those who will buy this as their first DAC/AMP. Finally, there are light indicator and input button for changing filters and input mode at the front. Additionally, what I like about the X1s GT chassis is the matte surface texture, so that it is harder to get stained by fingerprints.
The Aune X1s GT consists of ES9038Q2M DAC and 4 full discrete amplifiers. If you are interested in the engineering side of things, go to Aune official website to find more information regarding the internal of the X1s GT. Moving on, Aune ditch the stock ESS DAC filters and went for custom-made DAC filters which comprises of 4 different filters (Standard-General, Standard-Headphone, Pure-General, Pure-Headphone). In this review, I mainly test it with IEM not headphone nor speaker. Based on my listening ability, I couldn’t really hear much difference between those filters. However, I think the pure mode sounds little bit more fun and thicker as compared to the more neutral and “trebly” standard mode. On the other hand, having immense power of 1.2W @32Ω, my listening level is mostly at 9 o’clock but between 9 and 11 o’clock with the single ended output (320mW @32Ω). Sonic difference between single ended and balanced output is quite significant in which I recommend using the balanced output for wider soundstage, higher clarity, slightly more resolved, and better drivability. However, the single ended has the advantage of sounding a little bit more bassier in spite it being more compressed and uninspired in the sound. Other than that, there isn’t any noise floor that I could detect in relation to the discrete amplifier section although there was tiny bit of channel imbalanced and a hint of sound at lowest volume. In other respects, X1s GT supports PCM up to 32bit/768kHz and DSD up to DSD512. ASIO driver can be downloaded from Aune official website.
Parameters
Input Parameters
- USB: 32-bit/768kHz, DSD512.
- Coaxial: 24-Bit/384kHz, DoP128.
- Optical: 24-Bit/192kHz, DoP64.
Output Parameters
- Output Level: 2.0Vrms.
- SNR: 120dB.
- DNR: 120dB.
- THD+N: 0.00013%.
- Output Power(4.4mm): 1200mW@32Ω.
- Output Power(6.35mm): 320mW@32Ω.
Retail Price & Where to Get
Thank you Aune for giving us the chance to review the X1s GT. And special thanks to Bryan Liew for including AudioMonsta in the tour. Aune X1s GT is available on Aune official online shop for $319.00.
US$ 319.00 – X1s GT DAC with Headphone Amp – mall.auneaudio.com
Test Tracks
Tonality
Aune X1s GT has a smooth, fun, and musical sound presentation but not in a very extreme way because it still has that neutral characteristic. Extension at both end of the spectrum is not excellent; the sub-bass and air are there but not greatly extended. In short, this X1s GT is more about the bass and midrange where you will find that the sound will be that engaging and thick sort of sound. This actually remind me the sound of iFi a little bit, very natural, warmish, and “midrange-ish” sound rather than the ultra-linear and highly detailed sound reproduction.
Bass
Slight punchy in the mid-bass but not overly boosted. As mentioned before, the sub-bass is present, but I would love a bit more sub-bass shelf just to give a little bit more vibration and rumble in the bass in my opinion. Technically speaking, the bass performs fairly well with all of my single dynamic driver IEM. Coming from portable sized DAC/AMP, most of the IEMs’ bass slam more solid, harder, and more detailed with the X1s GT.
Midrange
Similar to the bass, midrange of the X1s GT is also slightly emphasized in which there is a pronounce midrange “body” resulting in slightly thick and forward mids especially the vocal. Vocal reproduction is intimate and very much full sounding with fortunately safe upper-mids response whether with male or female voices. Meanwhile, instruments sound superbly musical with this DAC/AMP.
Treble
Faintly polite and smooth treble response. So, no harshness, sibilance, and weird peaks whatsoever with woodwinds and strings instruments. Overall, great tuning in the treble without being rolled-off or too subdued. Clarity is there and decay is superbly natural, no splashy and too many shimmers in cymbals and percussion. Very easy-going presentation while still having sense of air and details.
Soundstage & Imaging
As someone who used to portable source, the Aune X1s GT were able to render me desktop level soundstage size and imaging performance especially with the 4.4mm output. It has a wide soundstage and strong stereo imaging likely due to high level of crosstalk performance. It just that the soundstage was not deep or grander enough as I was expected and meaning imaging to some degree lack the three dimensionality. Not that bad, nonetheless.
Transient & Timbre
Again, it’s all about the musicality and fun factor with the X1s GT therefore, resolution and dynamic range are vaguely not magnificent for a desktop level performance. But immense power output really helps single dynamic driver IEM to be properly driven with great attack and speed. I think the instrument separation and layering is really good, just fall a bit below excellent of my expectation level. Anyhow, the timbre is simply natural and organic. Jazz and live record lover should have no worries with the timbre of this DAC/AMP.
Synergy
I recommend pairing the X1s GT with something that is Harman-neutral or neutral-bright oriented sound and already has great level of technicalities to exploit the fun factor as well as to compensate the technical performance of the X1s GT. Nevertheless, the X1s GT pretty much suits all kind of music especially pop and modern song and mostly flexible with any type of cans. In my case, I prefer the combination of either Tanchjim Oxygen, Sonic Memory SM2, and K’s LBBs with the X1s GT as compared to Moondrop Aria and KZ EDX Pro.
Conclusion
To conclude, Aune X1s GT sound character is not something that I expected it to be honest. I was expecting it to be more on a neutral, fast, and linear sort of sound since their marketing ads seems to suggest it to be like that. Instead, what you get is a musical and easy-going source amplifier packaged in a handsome looking design ready to be paired with your favourite cans or speakers. At $319 price tag, there is competition, but I think Aune is offering the X1s GT a great value here and might as well have the chance to differentiate itself from other competitors in the market like they usually do.
