I bought Aune AR5000, Sennheiser HD 660 S2, Aune S9c Pro based in large part on your reviews. And..., listening for a many hours now I thank you very much for your reviews. Sennheiser HD 660 S2 are like liquid silk to my ears, those are without any glary tremble. Now I can solo party like never before. Aune S9c is also soo much better than my earlier dac/amp Creative Sound BlasterX G6, (but u are mistaken, silver colour is the way to go 😉). Now I will continue exploration further with Meze Audio 109 Pro and aune S17 PRO.
I thought the smsl do400 had opened my ears, but the Aune S9 is musicality personified, for my taste . I will be purchasing this unit at some stage . I just wish more would try Aune products .
Very interesting company, that has my respect on their approach. There are few green 💎 out there and to me, they are one to watch. I'm sure it's a worthy unit, the components used in each unit are legit good. Good review. 👍🏼
Aune Audio takes pride in their products. They invest research, time and effort into each device and care about the quality. I'm very impressed by their products and they are superior to the measurement chasers imho.
Yeah, not the typical Chinese approach. They take their time for research, and their products are well-thought-out. The components selection is good too. For example I really appriciate the linear transformer in this one.
Update here, I’ve been using the Aune S9c for a week now with some HD650s, DAC’s build quality and sound are amazing, it also comes with a pretty neat remote control. Power cable was missing in the box tho, don’t know if maybe only my unit came like this? Still nothing relevant, just be aware if buying one you may need to get one too I’m happy with my purchase overall, mode 1 is great when I want to enjoy dynamics with a clear and detailed sound and mode 2 when I want more base presence or closed space I know the HD650s are not really meant to have a tight base but still I can hear the difference and enjoy both modes
@TheHonestAudiophile - Thanks for the review. It was helpful. In your opinion, which is the better dac+amp combo between the S9c and the FIIO K9 AKM you recently reviewed?
Agreed, Their S8 DAC is over three years old, used the last generation ES 9038 Pro chip, and is no longer featured on their site. Ok AUNE, bring on your new, "flagship" AKM 4499 or ES 9039 DAC please!
I know wheen your hand gestures start flying around that its going to be a good piece of equipment before you even get to the conclusion. You have a tell. Probably a lousy poker player...lol. Aune is killing it lately. That new class A amp in the same series is supposed to be a killer; the new standard for amps under $1000.
@@TheHonestAudiophile I'm eager to hear that review; every other review thus far has been a rave (though I don't like to count the typically useless ravings of the buffoon Zeos). I ordered a S17 Pro a couple of days ago directly from Aune in China since no US seller appears to handle Aune products except Amazon and their delivery window on the S17 Pro is weeks from now (and I saved the NJ sales tax to boot). As of this morning, it's currently in Hong Kong with DHL estimating a Tuesday delivery. I'm pairing it with a Denafrips Ares 12th-1 DAC.
EF600 is more musical and the S9C Pro is neutral and analytical. Both are excellent and have accurate, natural tone and timbre. I personally prefer the Aune S9C Pro for it's more neutral and analytical abilities.
Have I heard better than the Mytek Liberty DAC ii, yes i have. At audio shows but I can't afford those. As for the ones that I can afford and have reviewed, I haven't come across a DAC that beats the Mytek Liberty DAC ii in my opinion.
@@TheHonestAudiophile so just straight from the line out of the aune into the schiit? I was thinking of getting this and running the rca output into a schiit gjallarhorn for the desk and wanted to know if it would work since it doesn’t have a pre out and I only saw line out
Hi Dave . Thanks for a great review. My headphone is a Hifiman HE1000v2 Stealth with a balanced Lavricables cable. I have a Eversolo dmpA6 with a Chord Qutest Dac to a Hifiman EF600 (That I use as an amp). I now have the option to upgrade to a Eversolo A8. This will come instead of the A6-Qutest Combo if the sound is better. I also have an option to replace my EF600 with a Aune S17pro or to replace the EF600 and Qutest with the Aune S9C Pro. What would you do in my place? Would you keep the A6+ Qutest? And would you keep the EF600 or not? What will be the best combi for the He1000v2 Stealth in your opinion? Looking forward to your answer. Cheers Fonz
Sorry I haven't heard HE1000 V2 Stealth, Chord Qutest or Eversolo A6. The Aune has good synergy with the Hifiman that I've listened to, Arya Organic, Sundara, Ananda, Arya Stealth.
Thanks for your response. @@TheHonestAudiophile But You have heard the EF600. Is the amp in the EF600 of the same quality as the one in the S9C pro? Or does the EF600 has more body in the sound?
@user-mn7mk5tx6t I didn't have the EF600 and S9C Pro side by side to compare. The Aune is more neutral natural leaning and the Hifiman is more warm natural leaning. They're similar but the Hifiman is slightly thicker. If my memory serves me correctly.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Ok thanks for your help.The conclusion of your answer is: Stick with the EF600 because there is not much difference between the 2 besides the bit warmer sound of the EF600....
Hi Dave, thanks for your passionate review :) I would like to ask you if you would define the aune s9c pro as a completely neutral dac/amp or a little warmer?
@@TheHonestAudiophile thanks for the quick response! I'm looking for a truly neutral desktop amp/DAC, with a maximum price of 1500 euros, but which doesn't have a fast and unnatural decay of notes as I noticed on the Fiio Q7 (I don't know why it has that type of speeded up sound) what would you recommend?
It’s too bad that there’s no EQ option on it. I currently have a Monolith 124459 headphone amp and I enjoy adjusting the EQ for various songs I’m playing. I wonder if it’ll still be worth upgrading to…
I sold my Burson conductor 3r and will be getting another Burson or maybe will try something else . How would you compare it to Burson conductor 3r soundwise , I have 32 ohm lsa hp 2 headphines so all that extra power is not important to me rather then good dynamics and clean sound with strong bass ....
It's been 3.5 years since I reviewed and I haven't heard it since. i don't remember enough about it to give fair comparison. Here's a link to my review: th-cam.com/video/LR_XNMHyYZo/w-d-xo.html
Just bought the S9c pro and I'm really impressed by it. I had a Schiit Modi/Magni stack before it and first tried the Fiio K9 pro as an upgrade. I returned it because it just didn't do anything special imo. The Aune blows the K9 pro away imo. So much more musical and natural sounding.
@@realitygame7688 If all you care about is the sound then its not even close imo, the Aune is in a different league. Just realize the Aune has nowhere near the feature set that the Fiio has. Build quality is a draw, they are both big, heavy, and really well made. But I prefer the Aune's build as well...the footprint, the finish, the overall look.
Been several years since I've heard the Soekris 1421. I honestly don't recall enough to compare fairly. Here's a link to my review: th-cam.com/video/Z10l5jqdXaw/w-d-xo.htmlsi=bvV2ggfkEiWxXryI
I'd like to hear the SU9C against the New Gustard Audalytic AH90 (Both Similar price and have built headphone amp, though the Gustard is also a streamer). I wonder which one would be better? They're calling the Gustard a baby R26
I bought Aune AR5000, Sennheiser HD 660 S2, Aune S9c Pro based in large part on your reviews. And..., listening for a many hours now I thank you very much for your reviews. Sennheiser HD 660 S2 are like liquid silk to my ears, those are without any glary tremble. Now I can solo party like never before. Aune S9c is also soo much better than my earlier dac/amp Creative Sound BlasterX G6, (but u are mistaken, silver colour is the way to go 😉). Now I will continue exploration further with Meze Audio 109 Pro and aune S17 PRO.
Awesome 👍 Glad you enjoy them.
Yeah silver does look good 👍 Glad you found the channel content helpful.
I thought the smsl do400 had opened my ears, but the Aune S9 is musicality personified, for my taste . I will be purchasing this unit at some stage . I just wish more would try Aune products .
Awesomeness 😎 Aune products are underrated for sure.
I know how much you respect the Liberty dac, so endorsing the Aune says a lot. Thank you Dave😊
Very interesting company, that has my respect on their approach. There are few green 💎 out there and to me, they are one to watch. I'm sure it's a worthy unit, the components used in each unit are legit good. Good review. 👍🏼
Aune Audio takes pride in their products. They invest research, time and effort into each device and care about the quality. I'm very impressed by their products and they are superior to the measurement chasers imho.
Yeah, not the typical Chinese approach. They take their time for research, and their products are well-thought-out. The components selection is good too. For example I really appriciate the linear transformer in this one.
Thanks for the review, I was going to buy the Topping DX7 Pro + which is around the same price, but decided to go for this one instead
Look forward to hearing your impressions.
What headphones have you used it on?
Update here, I’ve been using the Aune S9c for a week now with some HD650s, DAC’s build quality and sound are amazing, it also comes with a pretty neat remote control.
Power cable was missing in the box tho, don’t know if maybe only my unit came like this?
Still nothing relevant, just be aware if buying one you may need to get one too
I’m happy with my purchase overall, mode 1 is great when I want to enjoy dynamics with a clear and detailed sound and mode 2 when I want more base presence or closed space
I know the HD650s are not really meant to have a tight base but still I can hear the difference and enjoy both modes
Thanks for the impressions
@TheHonestAudiophile - Thanks for the review. It was helpful. In your opinion, which is the better dac+amp combo between the S9c and the FIIO K9 AKM you recently reviewed?
Aune S9C Pro
thx Dave for great review👍 I love their S17 pro, AUNE should make a pure dac in this line to compete with the Gustards 26...
S17 Pro review tomorrow.
Agreed, Their S8 DAC is over three years old, used the last generation ES 9038 Pro chip, and is no longer featured on their site. Ok AUNE, bring on your new, "flagship" AKM 4499 or ES 9039 DAC please!
The S9C Pro uses dual ES9068 DAC chips.
I know wheen your hand gestures start flying around that its going to be a good piece of equipment before you even get to the conclusion. You have a tell. Probably a lousy poker player...lol. Aune is killing it lately. That new class A amp in the same series is supposed to be a killer; the new standard for amps under $1000.
Very true. Time to change things up 😁
S17 Pro review tomorrow. It's currently available for supporters on Patreon and YT membership.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Fantastic. Can't wait.
@@TheHonestAudiophile I'm eager to hear that review; every other review thus far has been a rave (though I don't like to count the typically useless ravings of the buffoon Zeos). I ordered a S17 Pro a couple of days ago directly from Aune in China since no US seller appears to handle Aune products except Amazon and their delivery window on the S17 Pro is weeks from now (and I saved the NJ sales tax to boot). As of this morning, it's currently in Hong Kong with DHL estimating a Tuesday delivery. I'm pairing it with a Denafrips Ares 12th-1 DAC.
Awesome 👍 Look forward to hearing your impressions.
How does it compare to the chord qutest ? Thank you for this excellent review: really helpful review
Sorry I haven't heard the Chord Qutest.
Glad you found the review helpful.
Excellent job on your reviews, a favor between the HIFIMANEF600 vs AUNE S9CPRO which is better in audio quality? Thanks a lot!!!!
EF600 is more musical and the S9C Pro is neutral and analytical. Both are excellent and have accurate, natural tone and timbre. I personally prefer the Aune S9C Pro for it's more neutral and analytical abilities.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Thanks again Dave, I really appreciate your reply
@armestofeles my pleasure, you're welcome
@@TheHonestAudiophile in previous comment you said that aune is more warm than neutral, now its more neutral ?
Depends on what your comparing it to. In regards to the comparison to the EF600 the Aune is more neutral and analytical as the EF600 is more musical.
Hi! Thank you very much for review!
Have you heard better than this dac/amp? I'm talking about your reference Mytek Liberty DAC ii.
Have I heard better than the Mytek Liberty DAC ii, yes i have. At audio shows but I can't afford those. As for the ones that I can afford and have reviewed, I haven't come across a DAC that beats the Mytek Liberty DAC ii in my opinion.
btw. how does the S9 sound if you use it as an DAC only? Not tested?😔
Sounds as described for both headphone and DAC output.
Better camera quality on this video 👍
Thanks for the feedback.
Can this be used as a preamp? Like if I wanted to run it into a schiit power amp for the desk for some passive speakers?
I connected it to my Schiit Audio Vidar into my Logan Martin Motion15 speakers and it worked good.
@@TheHonestAudiophile so just straight from the line out of the aune into the schiit? I was thinking of getting this and running the rca output into a schiit gjallarhorn for the desk and wanted to know if it would work since it doesn’t have a pre out and I only saw line out
I am sorry I misspoke, I used the S9C Pro into the S17 Pro and then into the Vidar. I apologize for the error. The S9C Pro has variable line out.
Hi Dave . Thanks for a great review. My headphone is a Hifiman HE1000v2 Stealth with a balanced Lavricables cable. I have a Eversolo dmpA6 with a Chord Qutest Dac to a Hifiman EF600 (That I use as an amp). I now have the option to upgrade to a Eversolo A8. This will come instead of the A6-Qutest Combo if the sound is better. I also have an option to replace my EF600 with a Aune S17pro or to replace the EF600 and Qutest with the Aune S9C Pro. What would you do in my place? Would you keep the A6+ Qutest? And would you keep the EF600 or not? What will be the best combi for the He1000v2 Stealth in your opinion? Looking forward to your answer. Cheers Fonz
Sorry I haven't heard HE1000 V2 Stealth, Chord Qutest or Eversolo A6.
The Aune has good synergy with the Hifiman that I've listened to, Arya Organic, Sundara, Ananda, Arya Stealth.
Thanks for your response. @@TheHonestAudiophile But You have heard the EF600. Is the amp in the EF600 of the same quality as the one in the S9C pro? Or does the EF600 has more body in the sound?
@user-mn7mk5tx6t I didn't have the EF600 and S9C Pro side by side to compare.
The Aune is more neutral natural leaning and the Hifiman is more warm natural leaning. They're similar but the Hifiman is slightly thicker. If my memory serves me correctly.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Ok thanks for your help.The conclusion of your answer is: Stick with the EF600 because there is not much difference between the 2 besides the bit warmer sound of the EF600....
@@FonzVorselaars my pleasure, you're welcome
How much of a step up is the S9C from the TA-22? Is it worth the extra $350ish?
Hmmm have t hard TA-22 since I reviewed it, honestly don't remember enough to give fair comparison
Perfect review for an amazing DAC/Amp. Thank you Dave.🥰
When is the even more amazing S17 Pro review coming?
S17 Pro review tomorrow!
If you want to see it now, it's available for YT members and Patreon supporters.
Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated.
@@TheHonestAudiophile Ok, thank you
My pleasure, you're welcome.
Hi Dave, thanks for your passionate review :) I would like to ask you if you would define the aune s9c pro as a completely neutral dac/amp or a little warmer?
S9C Pro is a little warmer than neutral.
@@TheHonestAudiophile thanks for the quick response! I'm looking for a truly neutral desktop amp/DAC, with a maximum price of 1500 euros, but which doesn't have a fast and unnatural decay of notes as I noticed on the Fiio Q7 (I don't know why it has that type of speeded up sound) what would you recommend?
@BluesMan90 Mytek Liberty DAC ii
@@TheHonestAudiophile thank you!
@BluesMan90 my pleasure, you're welcome
It’s too bad that there’s no EQ option on it. I currently have a Monolith 124459 headphone amp and I enjoy adjusting the EQ for various songs I’m playing. I wonder if it’ll still be worth upgrading to…
Sorry haven't heard the Monolith 124459.
4:17 as a newbie, im wondering if there's a dac amp setup that does not generate a noise floor or hissing with sensitive iems
Yes there are a lot. It depends a lot on the output impedance of the headphone output.
Would you recommend this over something like the Topping A70 pro setup? I know the prices differ but they are the main setups ive been looking at
Sorry I haven't heard the A70 Pro.
I sold my Burson conductor 3r and will be getting another Burson or maybe will try something else . How would you compare it to Burson conductor 3r soundwise , I have 32 ohm lsa hp 2 headphines so all that extra power is not important to me rather then good dynamics and clean sound with strong bass ....
Sorry haven't heard the Conductor 3r. I've only heard the Conductor 3x Performance.
@@TheHonestAudiophile And how woud you compare it against Aune ?
It's been 3.5 years since I reviewed and I haven't heard it since. i don't remember enough about it to give fair comparison. Here's a link to my review: th-cam.com/video/LR_XNMHyYZo/w-d-xo.html
Would I be able to connect a streamer to the AUME ?
Can I connect 2 different receivers using the XLR connections
I don't believe the S9C Pro can do what you ask but I didn't test it that way. Aune customer/tech service could answer your inquiry better than I can.
How do you anyone can compare it with the previous S8?
Sorry haven't heard the S8.
Just bought the S9c pro and I'm really impressed by it. I had a Schiit Modi/Magni stack before it and first tried the Fiio K9 pro as an upgrade. I returned it because it just didn't do anything special imo. The Aune blows the K9 pro away imo. So much more musical and natural sounding.
@@gillmanjr87 awesome 💯 Glad you enjoy the S9C Pro, thanks for the impressions.
I hesitated precisely between these two, thank you for your comment hahaha
@@realitygame7688 If all you care about is the sound then its not even close imo, the Aune is in a different league. Just realize the Aune has nowhere near the feature set that the Fiio has. Build quality is a draw, they are both big, heavy, and really well made. But I prefer the Aune's build as well...the footprint, the finish, the overall look.
Hi, on your rankings page which is better E- or E+?
+ is better than -
@@TheHonestAudiophile sad my aune s9c pro has - 😅
Ohhh you are pulling at my wallet!!!
Aune compared to Soekris 1421?
Been several years since I've heard the Soekris 1421. I honestly don't recall enough to compare fairly.
Here's a link to my review:
th-cam.com/video/Z10l5jqdXaw/w-d-xo.htmlsi=bvV2ggfkEiWxXryI
GM ☕️….
GM ⏰☕
I'd like to hear the SU9C against the New Gustard Audalytic AH90 (Both Similar price and have built headphone amp, though the Gustard is also a streamer). I wonder which one would be better? They're calling the Gustard a baby R26