Aune X7S Review

I own both the topping L30 II and aune X7S 2021 version and the aune is a big step up from the L30II. It separates instruments much better and I can even hear new instruments in songs, has wider soundstage( though that depends on headphone), much better imaging( on any headphone) and is more dynamic sounding while reaching deeper in the sub bass. Also joshua the aune is actually a fully balanced amplifier, it has a single ended input but it uses some circuit called a "phase splitter" to split the singe ended signal into balanced signals somehow(idk how these circuits work). I did A/B test between balanced and single ended and used same volume by controlling volume via DAC and the balanced does sound better with even great separation of instruments and deeper sub bass extension. All these impressions were on a Hifiman HE400SE and letshuoer S12Pro and also strongly recommend the aune. Some people from measurement community think that it does not work well with low impedance planars because it has higher output impedance but it is not true because planar magnetic headphones have a flat impedance curve and their tonality doesnt change with higher ouput impedance at all. If the aune sounds like it has more authority its simply because it is more dynamic and reaches deeper in the sub bass than measurement chasing toppings which apparently are only good at playing sine waves.

Bigger power bricks are higher quality usually. How can that possibly be a complaint?

In more recent reviews you don't value this thing very high. Saying it doesn't match up to contemporary standards anymore. I'd like to say this: I have several headphone amps and in terms of musicality this little amp beats them all. Others, like A90 and A30 Pro might have more stellar specs, but... criteria to the ear are more than just those specs. X7S still is a blast. I do not know previous versions though. I have the 2021 one. Hooked up via high-end RCA cable by InAkustik and listening at 0 dB setting with a pair of Grados. Sound is great. And I know what I am talking about, being a pro musician.

I have a Sennheiser HD650 + an old Magni 3. Is the Aune X7s an upgrade over a Magni 3 sonically given that X7s may be little dark sounding and so is the hd 650? And how does it compare with the likes of THX 789 in terms of separation, clarity and all. May I know

Please review the 2021 version.

The quality of your videos never ceases to amaze me, you really deserve more subs my guy

I was wondering if the 'Audio Out' is simply a passthrough?
I have a tape deck connected to Tape Out on my amp. I was wondering if I can connect the tape deck to 'Audio Out' on the X7S?

spaghetti

can you use it with 110 as well 220 Voltage?

Hi, i would like to ask your opinion between aune x7s and asgard 3!!!!

No optical input :((((

Amps without DSP are useless.

Hi super review! I have a question, does it make sense to buy x7s if I already have Aune x1s and I use used headphones with low impedance?

I used to say "A-une" too but I believe after checking about 15 different pronunciations of Aune that it is "On" but with the emphasis on the "Ah" sound and ending with "Awn" (like "Dawn").

Can this be use with speaker? Say kef q100

Where can I get that wallpaper?

Can you review the Aune S7 Pro? It might be a better comparison to the 789.

Hi.. Josh do you think this guy have a problem to drive hifiman sundara Thanks

two questions sir,
1. will this be enough to power my dt990 (250 version) ?
2. will i notice any difference when upgrading from Magni3 ?

Awesome review. I definitely enjoy the x7s and think it's one of the better value amps out there all things considered. Everything I've thrown at it has sounded great, except for the LCD-X. Volume knob is definitely a pro. Cheers.

Really like your reviews . To the point , precise, no BS and nice humour :) Patreon member now on . Respect & Thanks from Sydney

I recently ordered the Aune X7S amplifier on Massdrop / Drop. Was really looking forward to receiving it despite having to pay almost 1/3 more than the Drop price to import it into the UK.

Well I received it today and it was inoperable. It would have been dangerous to power it on. On informing Drop (formerly Massdrop) of the condition they said it "was not covered by warranty" despite being a new device and that all they could do was offer a refund without the import taxes. Net result I had to eat 30% of the original cost.

OK so the Aune X7S is only $180, so I ate $60. But if I had ordered something in the $1,000 range I would have eaten $300+ for a product that does not work and is dangerous. This is totally unacceptable on any level.

I expected more from Drop but was literally dropped in it. Just very poor. Very disappointed.

Whats the difference between se and balanced? How is it on iem and low impedance phones? Does it color the sound? Can it push Argons?

Yo Josh, quick question: I have a Kenwood KA 405 amplifier. Does it compare to this product here or do I need something more powerful in regards to headphones? I have some Philips headphones from back in the high-school days, currently considering some new headphones and possibly a new amp/gear. Thanks

you probably just listened it from the balanced output..?

They sell an even BIGGER power brick, lol. Called the XP1. I got two of em for the X1s and X7s.

Is it a good match with LCD 2 classics.

Love the intro

what dac to go with thx 789?

what does the high output impedance of this Amp mean?

Man every time you bring up the THX I just can't stop thinking about it coming back to Massdrop. In a month I am going to pull the trigger on the integrated Cavelli on Massdrop.

the 4 pin XLR plug is what rca cables are, just in a single plug. you get 2 hot/signal wires and 2 ground wires for them (hifi - balanced)
the 3 pin XLR plugs - mono plugs have 2 hot wires and 1 ground. one of the signal wires is phase changed by usually 180° degree. the signal just gets error checked on either end.
all the 4 pin connectors for hifi equipment is all about seperating the ground wires/connectors, one for each channle.
so the amp infact is fully balanced - at least hifi wise.

It’s volume knob range-of-motion appears to be far smoother than an (unmodded) Magni3.

I have this and run Fostex T60rps with balanced cable. Sweet and sooooo much clean detail... Love them. Am awaiting Argons with balanced cable can't wait to hear the Argons through the Aune... 😁

I’m so done with wall warts. I’d rather have a stack of 19” standard components than have to accommodate five or more (almost) literal power bricks.

Does anyone know how the aune stack pairs with hd800s? I’m looking to splurge on the hd800s but I’m not sure which DAC/AMP to go with. I’m sitting on the x1s anniversary edition right now, debating if I should buy the x7s or just go another route. Any advice appreciated!

Great amp; prefer it over the headamp Gilmore. It's a bit on the bright side. Very nice separation and detail, yet musical. Drives my aeon flows well (13 ohm). Only downside is the power cable, which is quite short and I wish the pre-out could be switched on/off. Really like the industrial design too.

The deal breaker is the high output impedance, which should have been mentioned in the review.

X7S vs SH-8? anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks for talking about the power supply size.

Did you try the Arya yet? Really want to know your thought about them

shout outs

Balanced headphone out is not called XLR right? OH ya the link is not this product.

Hey Josh ...when the review on the sony mdr1am2... I'm waiting for your approval?? Nice channel by the way

Heads up, the amazon link actually takes you to the page for the X1S, not the X7S. Threw me off at first when I saw the USB input on the X1S.

I'd be great for me to have a hands on testing approach if not only to hear what the 11 ohm output impedance would effect on my Philips x2s and B&o H6. Seems like it's a varying stab in the dark.
On another note, your "Buy it here" link goes to the x1s, rather than the x7s :)
Really enjoy the last iteration of your intro.

what did you do with your audio?

review jds labs the element dac/amp

The amazon link is for the Aune x1s, not the x7s. Great review nonetheless my friend! I eyed this for quite awhile, glad to see it is still steaming along.

If only it had a lower output impedance.