Aune X7S Balanced Headphone Amp Discussions | Drop

Oct 10, 2017

BigEdMustaphaSome people have said that it has some stability issues with low impedance headphone. But I’m currently using 32ohm cans and I have no issues, so your milage may vary. 25ohm headphones are not that common though.

Oct 10, 2017

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PatSitu

Oct 10, 2017

CokemanAs a person that has absolutely no knowledge in the audio community [but has purchased the HD 6XXs], should I buy this? --with the DAC too?
or are there better options out there atm?

Oct 10, 2017

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Oct 10, 2017

PatSituI also bought the X7S for HD6XXs when they come in. Any way the X7S is a good AMP, and it will be really good for 6XXs especially if you use the balanced output because you can get a whole watt at 300ohms. Now the Magni 3 is a better value than this no doubt, it's less than half the price, but has about half the power at higher impedance, but more power at lower impedance. The X7S is Class A, which the Magni 3 is not. And the X7S has a balanced output which the Magni 3 does not have. But in the grand scheme of things the Magni 3 will do amazing with the 6XXs and you would enjoy either Amp. Now as for the DAC the X1S makes no sense to buy just as a DAC for a standalone AMP. The X1S is a low power DAC/Amp combo, so a lot of the price is for the Amp. Now if you just bought the X1S as a DAC/Amp combo and used that, then got an AMP later down the line if you wanted more power, then the X1S is a great DAC and it would be great to use the output to an AMP. But buying the X1S to immediately use as a DAC doesn't make a lot of sense. However a lot of that criticism is taking into account it's $300 retail price. At $200 it is actually somewhat appealing, because if you are going to spend $150 on something like an ODAC or OL DAC, then another $50 to have another AMP is somewhat appealing, maybe if you are one of those people who would like go to a LAN party with some easy to drive cans and then you could just bring the X1S instead of the pair. But outside of something like that it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to get the X1S. In my opinion if you are just starting out in the audiophile world, a Magni 3 and Modi 2 will serve you well. Persoanlly I think the X7S is a better Amp than the Magni 3, but it should be because it's twice as much. If you have the money and want to dive a little deeper in at the start of your audiophile career, than I'd go with the X7S and a Modi 2, or JDS Labs OL DAC (if you want a few more features). But if you just want to get you foot in the door without spending a ton, then a Magni 3 and Modi 2 is all you need(And consider that the pair of those costs about as much as the X7S alone). A Magni 3 really is about all the AMP you would ever need until you are getting into high end stuff, not because of power, but sheer quality. And don't think that the Magni 3 is some starter baby Amp that people will judge you for having, it's not, it's a very well respected Amp that will serve you well.

Oct 10, 2017

Oct 11, 2017

CokemanSo you don't think X1S is very impressive as a DAC, right?

Oct 11, 2017

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Oct 11, 2017

CokemanDo you have OTL like Valhalla 2? How about X7S compared with for 300ohm HD6xx series? Thanks

Oct 11, 2017

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Oct 11, 2017

tubeamplifierNo, the X1S is an amazing DAC, but part of it's price is that it is a combo. It doesn't make sense to buy it with the purpose of initially using it as solely a DAC. Now if you just bought an X1S and used that combo then bought an AMP later, using the X1S as your DAC makes a lot of sense. But it makes no sense to buy it with the intention of using it just as a DAC because it is too expensive because of the headphone AMP part. A Modi 2 or OL DAC is a much better value if all you want is a DAC.

Oct 11, 2017

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Oct 11, 2017

tubeamplifierAh, the Valhalla 2. This is a great AMP for the 6XXs. Now it's not really fair to compare this to the X7S. The X7S' comptetitor from Schiit is the Asgard 2. But anyway, the Valhalla 2 is very different from the X7S. Obviously the biggest difference is that the Valhalla is a tube Amp and the X7S is solid state. Now as far as features go, the X7S has more power, not that it really matters because the Valhalla still has more than enough for virtually any headphones, including the 6XXs. The X7S is class A, which the Valhalla is not. And the X7S has balanced, which the Valhalla does not. But back to those tubes, those are the reason why these are really different. Tubes change the sound of headphones, now I'm not going to say that tubes makes cans sound better or worse, because it's neither, it makes them sound different, which is the point of tubes. Some headphones most people prefer on tubes, the HD 600 line (600, 650, and 6XX) are probably about the most famous headphones for tubes. Most people will prefer them on tubes, however this is subjective. Personally I think that the 600s benefit from tubes more than the 650s or 6XXs because the 600s are not as warm and are narrower than the 650s or 6XXs, which the tubes fix. Now not that the 650s or 6XXs don't changes, they most certainly do, and most will probably will enjoy it. Now the major draw back to tubes is they get hot. They can reach up to 300 degrees, so you have to be very careful to not touch them, even when they are off. You also can experiment with tube rolling, which is swapping out the tubes for different ones to change the sound. Now I could go on for much longer about the benefits, disadvantages, and differences of tubes vs solid state, but I'll close with this. Tubes are very analog, they all will sound slightly different because they are made differently, and they also can be finicky with things like heat. Solid state is much more stable and provides a much more consistent experience. Now back to the X7S vs Valhalla 2. The two don't really compare as far as price, the X7S is $250, and the Valhalla 2 $350. To be honest, if you just want an Amp for only the 6XXs, then the Valhalla 2 is what I would go with. Not that it cannot be used and enjoyed with other headphones, because it most certainly can, but personally I find most headphones prefer solid state. And the types of music you listen to will also vary depending on tubes vs solid state, old music many will say sounds better on tubes, because it is that very retro sound, but most would not listen to modern rap on tubes. Personally I find solid state a bit more versatile.

Oct 11, 2017

Oct 11, 2017

CokemanI have Val. 2 to use with HD600. It seems it's not wise to get a X7S which is at most a side-grade with further investment to balanced cable. Thank you!

Oct 11, 2017

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Oct 11, 2017

CokemanThen you mean X1S cannot justify the cost as a DAC only when comparing with Modi2, right?

Oct 11, 2017

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Oct 11, 2017

tubeamplifierYes the X1S does not justify it’s price tag to use solely as a DAC.

Oct 11, 2017

Oct 11, 2017

tubeamplifierSo you already have a Valhalla 2? Or did you mean Vali 2? Because the X7S is just different because it is solid state. The what I call, "sane" audiophile setup, which is a setup that is with in reason without collecting tons of cans and AMPs or DACs, is a good set of open cans and a good set of closed cans, a good DAC, and a good solid state and a good tube AMP.

Oct 11, 2017

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Oct 11, 2017

CokemanI have a Valhalla 2. So you think X7S could be a complement to Valhalla 2? Thanks!

Oct 11, 2017

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elbebe1000

Oct 12, 2017

CokemanI have an Audio-GD NFB-11 amp. do you think that works buy this? thanks,

Oct 12, 2017

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SPLINTER

Oct 22, 2017

CokemanIs there a difference/change in sound between the xlr output and the 6.35mm output? Or there is no difference between them?
thanks.

Oct 22, 2017

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Oct 22, 2017

SPLINTERThere is a slight difference. The XLR has more power and there is a slight increase in seperation IMO.

Oct 22, 2017

cgouy

Nov 13, 2017

CokemanDo you think there would be any benefits to add an expansion power pack to this? Aune offers their XP1 power supply that is compatible with this amp.

Nov 13, 2017

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Nov 13, 2017

cgouyPersonally no, I don’t believe in power conditioners and other snake oil stuff like that.

Nov 13, 2017

cgouy

Nov 13, 2017

CokemanThanks for your thoughts. My X7s should be arriving soon. Can't wait to try this out with my HD650s.

Nov 13, 2017

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CamBE2010

Keyboard Club Member

Mar 29, 2018

CokemanI like your posts. At this time, for someone getting started, do you still think the Magni 3 is a great start? Is the Aune X7 worth the extra $100? I am going to be powering a few different cans, AKG K7xx, HD6xx, HD58x HifiMan HE4xx. Since I had no idea what I actually wanted, I went with this mix to see which one my ears likes the best. I will probably end up selling one or two of them and keep my top two plus a few of the other cheap fun ones I have.

Mar 29, 2018

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Davestef

239

Sep 17, 2018

tubeamplifierDid you ever end up getting the x7s? I’m in the same boat except I have the dark voice.

Sep 17, 2018

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Davestef

239

Sep 17, 2018

CamBE2010Did you end up getting the Magni or the x7s? I’m stuck between the to. I also have the 6xx 58x and 4xx. Wanted a solid state to compliment my dark voice tube amp.

Sep 17, 2018

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