Aune X1s GT Review

Aune X1s GT – Aune Gran Turismo

February 1, 2022

Aune X1s GT Latest All-in-One USB DAC/Headphone Amplifier With Externa — HiFiGo

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.

X1S GT DAC Headphone Amplifier Balanced 32bit 768kHz DSD512 - Aune Audio

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.

AUNE X1s GT - SLaudio - TAI NGHE VIỆT Headphone Store

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.