Aune S17 Pro Headphone Amplifier Review - Another Hype Train...All Aboard?

[@wooddragon576]

Ive had the S17 for about 7 months and use it almost daily as I work from home, It does get very warm but never been a concern. My feliks echo II got hotter. Many people mention the heat, but I dont see that as an issue what so ever. In terms of sound , well , this thing blew me away on the first listen and still impresses me every time I use it. Every headphone I have tried with it has sounded the absolute best Ive heard that particular headphone sound. they include the clear mg, hd660s 2, empyrean, 4 ZMFs and the radiance. My gawd the bass on my radiance has never sounded more enjoyable. on the clear MG its like I got a new headphone. They went from a pretty good headphone kept mostly for their great looks to one of my most enjoyable listens. Bottom line - this is my end game headphone amp, I cannot imagine how music could possibly sound any better so Im happy to never have to spend another dime on a headphone amp. I have it connected to the aune s9c and that too will never be replaced, a fantastic pairing.. Ive sold some of my more expensive gear because of these two devices. Thanks for the hard work and review

[@GaryPallett]

Totally agree with this. As per my reply above, I now have the S17 Pro, S8 (DAC only) and S9c. Swapping between the S8 and S9c DACs being fed into the S17 Pro, there is no sonic difference (to my ears) between them, but there is a big difference between the S17 Pro and S9c amps. I think you have the perfect combo... S17 pro and S9c, sharing the DAC between them 👍

[@jarekharmening8993]

Whats is the difference between the s9c pro and the s17 amp?​@GaryPallett

[@user-32941]

I didn’t know my HD660s2 could sound this good. i’m very happy with S17 pro except its size. now i’m looking for more compact headphone amp with similar caliber.

[@maximgodunov7717]

@@user-32941 The size may be necessary for soundstage and power

[@ALEX-WTF-ds4pe]

@@user-32941 ошибка, нет такого уровня звука как у s17 в маленьком размере

[@Spyrozzz]

Hello Wave Theory, I am really considering to buy this amp, I have dt 880 600ohm and i like the fact that this amp is warm, do you think this amp can drive the 880 at their best?

[@zuhairabdulla5680]

Your content is amazing I have an amp from TOOPING A70 PRO Can I change the OP AMP chips?

[@marlowe1537]

Thanks a lot for the in-depth review (though you're wrong on color--my black S17 looks far better 😜.) I've had the S17 since November and my experience is similar to yours (though I and some other reviewers think the S17 punches a little higher than you do). Paired with a Denafrips Ares 12th-1, it is simply sublime with the neutral/bright Hifiman HEK Stealth but the already warm ZMF Aeolus sounds awful. (Not a major problem since I much prefer the HEK Stealth even on amps like the Liquid Platinum that pair better with the Aeolus.) Nor do I hear much if any difference between 50 and 100 mA mode. (BTW, you can change that mode by double tapping the volume knob, but cannot change the temp gauge to F.) I immediately stuck on taller feet (about .9 inches) and can use it for hours and hours in 100 mA mode and the temp generally stays in the mid-60s except in the spring when it got warmer (60s-70s° F; I'm in NJ) but not warm enough for AC. A dead quiet $20 fan plunked on top fixed that easily (with AC on in the summer, I haven't needed the fan). Nonetheless, Aune's failure to provide taller feet and punch a few holes in the case is mystifying and a little infuriating. Yes, this is their standard large case also used on other units and they wanted to keep the cost down, but how expensive is taller feet and a few holes?

[@EverythingisFire]

Ouu. Thanks for the headsup regarding the ZMF pairing. I only have a Sundara (2020) so this Aune could work for that. I wonder if the Aune S9c Pro would be better for the Aeolus.

[@crate718]

I fell asleep with the 100 MA mode on and i woke up 4 hours later and the temp was around 67 degrees. The pre amp on the aune s17 is orgasmic. I hooked up my smsl sh9 and the sh9 became orgasmic with a way bigger sound stage and also my studio monitors just wow. I use Geshelli dac with sparkos and akm4499 chip

[@ancientalien815]

Ive owned the s17 for awhile now and i think your review is pretty much spot on. But there is a $250 option that beats it in sound for hard to drive headphones. And that is the chinese musical fidelity a1 clone. With the he6, it just sounds incredible!

[@maximgodunov7717]

Have you tried aune s17 with He6? He6 on my aune doesn't sound as dynamic as most people claim. It's only a little more punchy compared to an hd800.

[@ancientalien815]

@@maximgodunov7717 yeah, the he6 sounded ok on the s17 but much better on the a1 clone. More resolution, more punch, bigger sounding and only $250 plus a amp speaker tap to use headphones.

[@naren.freak1c]

Hifi zone is a reviewer reviews lot of clone amplifiers and has great reviews on musical fidelity A1 dartzeel clone etc.

[@carlitosgomez71]

@@naren.freak1c I've noticed he's reviewed a few of these Chinese clones and they look like good value but then again these preamps are just kits put together in boxes with no real warranty, so I'm on the fence with those jc2, accuphase etc systems

[@Steve-g4b9x]

I put it on a laptop stand with a fan. Double click on the volume wheel to switch current mode

[@rickym.5271]

That's a move I would have made too lol.

[@trongthuc9xsupercar]

Could you please also review the Aune S9C Pro?

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

Professor Wave Theory, thank you for another wonderful headphone amplifier review! 👌 Reverend Dr. Thomas, ✝️ The Vegan Vicar 🌱

[@marcob.7801]

How would you compare the AuneS17 to the Violectric V281 ??

[@GaryPallett]

Thanks for reviewing this. I’ve literally just bought this amp about a week ago and loving it, in combination with the Aune S8 DAC. It goes superbly with my HE1000SE (also new this week) and HD 800s (had these for a few years now and still love them). I’ve also just bought the S9c Amp/DAC too, so looking forward to comparing them. Previously been using iFi Zen Can/DAC, which worked nicely, but these are a big step up in sound quality 👍Mine has been running almost constantly all week and the temperature stabilises at around 65C with 100ma current bias 🤞Keep up the great reviews, your HE1000SE review and comparison convinced me to get it, and with the current pricing, they’re a bargain 😀

[@cau8365]

Would love to know the comparison with the S9c Amp/Dac

[@GaryPallett]

​@@cau8365 I've spent a good few hours with both now playing multiple different tracks (classical through rock/pop etc), having let them run for a few days (just in case burn-in helps 🤔). Dealing with the DACs first... both fed into the S17 Pro (S8 on XLR and S9c on RCA), with perfect level matching (out of the box), using the remote to switch inputs on the S17 Pro, and the HE1000SE, there is absolutely no noticeable difference between them. In fact I had to look up occasionally to confirm it was actually switching inputs. So whilst the Aune S8 is a superb DAC, the DAC in the S9c is identical sonically (to my ears anyway). However, using the HE1000SE (again level matched) and swapping between the S17 pro and S9c, I did find a significant improvement in sound quality... I'm not an audio expert or reviewer, but there seemed to be more "space" in the sound, greater smoothness, less harshness on things like cymbals and 'smaller" sounds seemed to be less intrusive (as I would expect they should be). The HE1000SE is known to be very resolving, and it really came alive on the S17 Pro. The S9c is still an awesome amp, and the DAC is faultless, and it should be perfect for my T5p (still to try that). Having tried both, I wouldn't seek out the S8, but instead would consider the S9c first, if budget limited and then "upgrade" to S17 Pro and use the DAC from the S9c. Hope this helps 😃

[@cau8365]

@@GaryPallett Thank you very much for your time and effort. May I ask you to compare using the S9c amp with your HE1000SE, and then feeding the S17 Pro with the S9c DAC. I'm trying to determine the gain in sound performance between the 2 amps.

[@GaryPallett]

@@cau8365 Hi. I did actually do that, but perhaps my reply was a bit confusing… Whilst I found no difference between the DACs, there is a definite and significant step up using the S17 Pro vs the S9c, using the HE1000SE. So I think an S9c DAC output feeding the S17 Pro would make a fantastic versatile combo. Equally perhaps another DAC (only) feeding the S17 Pro would make sense. Either way, the S17 Pro is a worthwhile upgrade over the S9c. I’m happy to have both, as it gives m options though. Good luck with your system 😃

[@cau8365]

@@GaryPallett Much appreciated your prompt reply and clarification.

[@Feliciano12v]

Happy G111 MKII owner here, it can often be found for around 400 US if you look around

[@dreamstormPL]

Great review. I listened to this amp for a while and I agree. Do you plan to review Gustard H26 any day soon?

[@user-32941]

How does S17 pro compare to Schiit Mjolnir 3? is Mjolnr3 simply better? I'm thinking of upgrading from S17 Pro(but I love them at this moment). Only thing that's holding me back is Mjolnr3's size...

[@D1N02]

I am using it as a pre-amp for my main system. Performs great.

[@carlitosgomez71]

@@D1N02 do you think it performs as a great preamp I've been told I should use a shiit Kara instead

[@D1N02]

@@carlitosgomez71 not familiar with the kara

[@wavetheorysound]

@@carlitosgomez71 I have not heard the Kara, but do own a Schiit Saga. In general I wouldn't use a component that has an active amplifier section (especially one that heats up like this) as only a preamp. If you need a preamp, get a dedicated preamp. But, if you are likely to use headphones and speakers relatively equally, then a headphone amp with a pre out makes more sense. So, if I were you, I would look into the Kara first.

[@juneguts]

thanks for the take

[@TheMaurob1979]

Remember driving the 6xx with a fiio k9..both warm signature..and wasnt a good combination..now with topping dx3 pro+ ..bright amp..the 6xx are shining

[@GilReynard]

@wavetheorysound, I confirm the S17 is a toaster oven that drives headphones. By the way, do you have any info on when Aune is going to release the A17 amp they’ve teased?

[@timothyfreeseha4056]

I have a similar product that also runs very hot and has no ventilation . What I find interesting is that if I use a easy to drive headphone, the unit gets hotter. Harder to drive headphones bring the temperature down. The opposite of what I thought would be true.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

There are way too many audio products, how do these companies stay in business

[@Michael_mki233]

You are starting to get sneakier with your upcoming product review teases. I approve.

[@maximgodunov7717]

How good is the bass impact with this on susvara?

[@carlitosgomez71]

How does this perform as a pure preamplifier to connect to a power amp into a normal hifi system, im not fussed about its headphone capability

[@corrrect]

You're probably better off with a schiit kara for around the same price.

[@jamesmoore4827]

Damn you're a good reviewer! I especially love the detail (retrieval? lol) you give in the comparisons section. Speaking of comparisons, which would be best audio quality and pairing for Arya Stealth between Aune S17 pro with schiit modius dac OR Hifiman/Goldenwave Serenade dac/amp combo?

[@wavetheorysound]

Thanks for the kind words. Interesting question. IMO Serenade's DAC > Modius but S17 amp > Serenade's amp. The Arya Stealth is not particularly difficult to drive so the Serenade's amp will handle it fine and its DAC quality might carry the day here. But, if you can stretch the budget a bit and get a Bifrost 2 or a Geshelli Labs J2S with upgraded op-amps to pair with the S17 Pro, I'd take a pairing like that over the Serenade.

[@jamesmoore4827]

@@wavetheorysound Thankou!

[@acheresh]

33:26 can't find comparison of g111mk2 vs v222 in your reviews of this amps... great review overall! waitng for a Erish 3 Pro comparison with Aune :)

[@wavetheorysound]

I think it was my Pietus Maximus review where I talked about how the G111 & PM compare up to Mjolnir 3 and V222.

[@acheresh]

@@wavetheorysound yes, thanks. In "Does Pietus Maximus Punch Up?" section

[@khinglouie]

🤘🏾

[@TheMaurob1979]

7,5 watt output power for around 750 euros..crazy valuex miney

[@ChrisStoneinator]

A computer power supply will output 1000W for £100. Must be a great value audio product.

[@wavetheorysound]

@@ChrisStoneinator apples and oranges. There's a big difference between supplying power and amplifying a signal.

[@Revan83]

I've bought mine S17 just for 500$, chinese version without remote control. That's really crazy value x money))

[@ChrisStoneinator]

@@wavetheorysound I know, but that's exactly my point! You know as well as I do that there's a big difference between outputting a lot of power and driving a headphone well.

[@danielsamson9505]

👌👍

[@TheGreatMrBill]

Hey, you missed a few important details about function at the beginning that I will fill in here. So first, it is a Class A and AB amp and the current you use determines the mode. It runs at Class AB when in 50 ma mode and Class A when it's in 100 ma mode, hence the reason it heats up. Many people do not know that Class A amps run hot as internally the power output is at 100% the whole time. It's nominal operating temperature in Class A mode is 66 degrees Celsius (per Aune). If it should hit 69 then it switches itself from Class A back to Class AB and cools down again. As far as yours running at 68, I believe it is a small variance between thermistors in different units. I own 4 of these (using 2 as pre-amps in my end game system), 2 black and 2 silver, as it is my favorite cheap Amp. Probably the best you'll find under 1k. Anyway, I have run them side by side and I have a silver that runs at 68 and another at 66 and a black one at 66 and 64 when they are all in Class A and fully heated. So, I wouldn't obsess over it. As far as the remote goes, No you don't have to worry if you lost it because all features can be adjusted on the unit itself, hence the reason the volume knob doubles as a push button. Hold the knob in for high or low gain. Double click knob for input selection and triple click knob for Classs A or Class AB mode. Aside from missing those couple of details, it was a good review and I believe you are spot on about the Susvara. This is the ONLY Amp I would ever be happy with running the Susvara as a placeholder until I got something better (providing the source is using the higher current XLR input) It sounds great with ALL of the Hifiman headphones and ALL of Focal line, as well as Meze and Audeze headphones. I love it for it's warmth, clean power, and soundstage. Oh and BTW, it sounds wonderful with the DCA E3 headphones, which are my favorite closed backs ATM.

[@marlowe1537]

This is absolutely incorrect. While several early reviewers stated that the S17 ran in Class A when in 100mA mode and Class AB when in 50mAmode, Aune has stated multiple times that this was a mistake and that the amp is always operating in Class A whether in high or low current mode. So, unless you contend that Aune is lying (and that's not impossible) or you define Class A differently than they do, this is inaccurate.

[@krrm8817]

Generally poor amplifier - weak dynamics and amplification - it even had trouble driving Beyerdynamic DT 990 250 Ω. I don't know what all the excitement is about !? EverSolo DAC-Z8 is much better - we have an additional DAC for the same price. Heed Canamp II is already a real mess and it was half the price and once better.

[@ALEX-WTF-ds4pe]

это усилитель ты пишешь про ЦАП, серьёзно? Назови усилитель лучше в эту цену или просто пустые слова

[@_Chev_Chelios]

It is certainly hideous. It looks like it’s made of plastic. The curved top and blue screen make me nauseous.

[@user-nx1fp6fv6r]

I hate when people like you intentionally mispronounce words. You know that you are objectively incorrect when saying chassis and yet you did it anyway.

[@ChrisStoneinator]

Good lord, what a little shitbox. What genius decided that adding some ventilation would be too ugly? Or were they just too lazy? Nobody should buy a product that thermal throttles after 2 hours out of the box. Worthless.

[@ALEX-WTF-ds4pe]

идиотам не понять как работать с таким оборудованием и что охлаждение улучшить можно за копейки

[@frankd.b.9233]

So just hot crap and bring your children into the game very low man... just like the Aune S17 Pro

[@_Chev_Chelios]

Hey wave theory, do yourself a favor and Google how to pronounce the word chassis.