Company Aune has long established itself as a thoughtful developer of affordable and high-quality audio. On review, I have visited a good DAC/headphone amp X1 Pro, portable amplifier B1 and, of course, their first player M1, which combines good sound and no firmware. The company clearly understood that in today’s market a player that plays only WAV is not competitive, therefore, the development of M2 approached seriously. What have they done?
Sometimes it seems to me that Aune read a book on IT marketing for beginners and have implemented a basic Board out: “release a few versions with slight differences in functionality and a large difference in price.” Else to explain the release of three nearly identical (in theory) players difficult to explain.
Basic Aune M2 costs about $ 350 and nothing looks no different from their more expensive counterparts. The next step performs the Aune M2 Pro, whose main difference is the use of two sets of oscillators Crystek CCHD575 and other OU setup. This immediately increases the price tag up to $ 500-520. Finally, at the top of the pyramid is located M2s, which has a beautiful blue hull and using the Teflon substrate of the printed circuit Board made according to technologies applied in the aerospace industry”. This innovation immediately requires additional investment, and therefore top-end variant costs about $ 650.
As you can see, everything is done exactly according to the canons marketing. The difference in models small enough to be strongly reflected in the cost, but the price the coverage extends from the beginning of the middle segment to the Junior leader.
When reading the differences in the versions it is logical to expect that M2 and M2 Pro are different in sound (after all other tuning OU), but the difference between Pro M2 and M2s must explicitly be outside of earshot. In practice, the difference is, and noticeable, it is unlikely it is due to only one material of the Board. Of course I have no proof, but I think the M2s have changed not only the cost.
But it is unlikely these arguments are interesting to someone, let’s go directly to the review.
Specifications
The headphone amplifier
- Output impedance: 1Ω
- Total harmonic distortion + noise: 0,0009% @ 300Ω
- Maximum power: 230 mW @ 32Ω
Line out
- Level: 2VRMS
- Total harmonic distortion + noise: 0,00038%
- Dynamic range: 117 dB
Other
- DAC: AK4490
- Formats support: WAV up to 32 bit/192 kHz, FLAC up to 24bit/192kHz, APE, AAC, ALAC, MP3, DSD64 DSF, DFF, DSD ISO
- Memory: Micro SD
- Outputs: 3.5 mm nauchnikov, 3.5 mm line
- Battery: 3500 mAh
- Charging time: ~5 hours
- Working time on batteries: ~6 hours
- Screen: TFT, 2,6″
- Dimensions: 65 mm × 110 mm × 17 mm
- Weight: 195 g
Packing and delivery
In Aune decided not to spend money on some delights and made a very simple compact box of thick black cardboard with minimal silver lettering. Inside is the player itself, MicroUSB cable, 16 GB USB flash drive with user manual in electronic form, and a protective film on the screen.
If for a younger model M2 is more than a good package, tolerable for the average M2Pro, then M2s already this is clearly not enough. $ 650 is clearly expecting more.
Design and management
Appearance of Aune devices more than succeeded. Enough compact body, made of anodized aluminium with longitudinal stylish texture that looks quite comparable with the top solutions. It fits comfortably in your hand, all controls available for manipulation with one hand.
At the top lonely is the button on/off switch, it traditionally turns off the screen and locks the player. On the right side are placed the click wheel on the playback screen, it allows you to adjust the volume, in other cases, the overlap with the navigation buttons. There is also a slot for MicroSD card, a reset hole and closed with a rubber plug in the expansion port. Why this port is needed — so far a mystery, as no accessories for him Aune has not yet released.
At the lower end placed all of the connectors, two 3.5 mm outputs: headphone and line, as well as MicroUSB for charging. Neither the USB DAC, no USB Mass Storage in the player is not brought, as well as digital outputs.
On the front panel is placed a screen and three buttons just for everything. I don’t know why in M2 have established a color screen, the firmware does not use it at all, the interface is made in black and gray shades, album art is not displayed — in General, in the color little sense. The screen quality is good, the resolution is certainly higher, but in the sun they can more or less use. Since only three buttons, their functions are very complicated. For example, to return back the center button it is necessary to clamp and to hold, but if it keep longer, the player will return you back to the playback screen, making a “victory lap” a La carte. To add to favorites you need to press two buttons at once, in General to learn all those fatalities, you need to read the manual but even then the control is far from intuitive.
Central menu consists of 4 items. The first contains all songs in one big list. The value of such a solution eludes me, because on a 64-GB map a list goes well, very big. The only application that comes to mind is to play my entire music library with shuffle. The next item on the menu — the usual navigation through the folders on your memory card. In General, it is almost a perfect way of viewing your library, if not for one thing. The player does not understand European languages with diacritic: the folder names are cut off, and the files are simply not shown. And okay, let’s say, different tracks “Göteborg symfoniker, but having lost the ability to listen favorite things Bijelo Dugme (“Blues Za Moju Bivšu Dragu”, “Šta Bi Dao Da Si Na Mom Mjestu” and dozens of others), I was very upset. For the modern player is an unforgivable mistake. The third menu item is reserved for a list of frequently played tracks and favorites. In the last paragraph is the setup, here everything is standard: off timer, playback after pause, 4 modes digital filters (I at the hearing can only discern 2), the playback mode, the backlight brightness and duration. Of unusual it is worth noting the setting of the lock mode, you can select which buttons will be available.
In General, the firmware of the player is very minimalistic. One of the advantages of such a solution should note the almost lightning-fast boot (literally a couple of seconds) and minimal effect ON the sound (well at least want to believe in it), Aune did not even try to implement EQ.
Another weak point of the player — the battery, or rather his work. Despite the battery (according to the manufacturer as much as 3500 mA/h), on a single charge the player plays a total of about 6 hours. I think this is due to the amplifier used, but about it below. Charge time is about 4 hours and 50 minutes, so you to charge and listen to the player have about the same time. This is quite small compared to other devices.
But Aune M2 lot can be forgiven for his sound.
Sound
To listen to the device you used the following headphones: ZMF Omni, Oppo PM-3, Titan 3 and Titan 5, Lear LHF-AE1d, Ambient Acoustics AM10, VE Monk and Asura v2, HiFiMan HE-400S
In the amplifier part of the M2 Aune has used the findings from its highly successful amplifier B1, so the player got a hybrid amplification output stage transistors. Also interesting auto-adjust the gain under headphones. In General, a competent amplifier M2 gives an unusually spectacular sound with accentuated low-end punch, very low noise level and ease of use with almost any load.
As players showed up at three, and the feedback about the sound is the same.
The base variant M2 has quite a dark flow, due to the small stiffness midrange and laid by the wayside upper frequencies. However, the trademark bass this series is no kompensiruet and explicitly pulls the blanket over himself. Something that looks like a HiFiMan 603, but the latest study is the best mid range. The core M2 will appeal, perhaps, to fans of pop music, different electronic styles, simple rock and metal. He plays enough driving, but an imaginary scene narrowish and in the flow lacks the lightness and air.
M2Pro just fixes the main problems and M2 is perhaps the most optimal ratio of price and sound quality the solution in the line. Quick, accented bass creates a pleasant and consistent base for the melody. MIDs are slightly softened and a little short on resolution, but significantly better than the base model. M2Pro already good at conveying the emotion and nuances of the recording are also wider than he imagined the scene, though the depth is still small. HF already more make themselves known, although not enough to become Intrusive. This modification is well suited for more serious genres: jazz, vocal, heavy styles are what the player will show his best.
M2s I listened, doubting I’d hear the difference with the Pro version, too few have faith in the fact that the Teflon substrate Board is able to make an impact. Surprisingly it turned out that the M2s is quite different from previous models by the sound. Whether I underestimated the positive role of Teflon, or, what seems more probable, in Aune did change the player to something else. M2s less accentuates low frequencies, it is more smooth, more natural, and gives less of the feigned vigor that characterized his “younger brothers”. The player takes another small step forward in resolving MIDs, plus it has more treble, although they still don’t cross the line of reasonable. However, HF fobam better to look at the Pro version. This modification is best suited for complex music type recordings of Symphony orchestras, technical types of metal and other styles that require resolution and neutral supply.
A bit subjective comparisons M2Pro.
Fiio X5-2. If to put outside the brackets the convenience of the UI of the player from Fiio and the presence of two slots for memory cards, Aune offers a more driving and dynamic bass, as well as more continuous flow the MF. Aune also differs fewer HF, although in the latest version of firmware Fiio added a switch the fits, allowing you to get a softer sound.
Cayin N5. Again, to compare players only on the sound, because the firmware Cayin as much better. Cayin plays stricter academic. He assembled more bass, less “enthusiasm” in the flow and more treble. One of the advantages of Cayin — a more defined attack of the minuses — for sensitive headphones is noise.
QLS 360. The developers of this player went even further in the case of minimalism, so its menu is even simpler, although at the expense of a larger number of control buttons it is convenient. By the sound of the QLS 360 more neutral, it delivers the better top of the range above 1000 Hz, although it loses a bit on the bottom middle. Aune sounds “more bold” and less details. The pros at Aune smaller size, QLS — time battery life.
Not less subjective comparison Aune M2s.
Cayin N6. Player from Cayin has a more restrained supply of bass, it’s a little less quantity, plus N6 does not attempt to add the sound energy. At medium frequencies around the parity, at the RF, I would give the palm to the Cayin. One of the advantages Aune — more universal design, Cayin takes the best functionality.
Luxury&Precision L5 Pr.o Definitely more convenient control of the player, a little less bass, midrange a little colder, a little more emphasis on the upper frequencies. The result is a more intelligent sound, assembled, but not without physicality.
Fiio X7+AM2. Not even going to talk about the difference in functionality, it is just a space. The sound of these devices is almost a complete opposite, X7 less drive the woofers, exploded midrange and treble, which for me personally gives a more three-dimensional and well-drawn scene, although fans of “meat”, of course supply the Aune would be better. Here generally the rule is quite simple: people like X7, it is unlikely to the court will have the M2s, and Vice versa.
Paint detail the difference the basic version of the Aune M2 I don’t see the point, it is different kind of and blackout submission, therefore, in all cases, the comparison will show this aspect.
Compatibility
In terms of compatibility with headphones the brainchild Aune demonstrates just wonderful results. Low output impedance allows you to use megadriver fittings and hybrids, including the low-resistance. For sensitive headphones in M2 made very low noise, full-size models — a good reserve of power. This is complemented by the automatic gain adjustment, allowing almost any load always works with a comfortable range of volume. So the choice of headphones to these players should be based solely on personal taste preferences. For example, I liked the top megadriver reinforcement model from the Campfire and Noble Audio.
About the stylistic preferences of the players I have already written in the section of the sound and recording quality of these players are fairly tolerant due to the clamped VCH (of course, for M2s is less true). On a 10-point scale I would rate “picky” M2Pro 6 points, and 8 in M2s.
Several traditional tracks for example.
Nightwish — Edema Ruh. Beautiful almost ballad from the last album genius symphonic metal filled with beautiful effects, and thanks to M2Pro bass, is becoming necessary to transmit background power.
Magnum — Crazy Old Mothers. Despite a more than 40-year history, this group is little known to listeners, but in vain. Their genre is usually called an AOR that is Arena Oriented Rock, and it is perfectly possible. Not banal melodies, catchy riffs, lots of drive and energy — all of that Magnum. Of course, Aune M2Pro copes with this composition.
Rage — My Way. Well, in order not to disturb the stylistic integrity of today’s collection — some old people heavy shop. New track from the upcoming record shows that in creating drive equal Rage is still small, and most likely on the new album we will enjoy all the same favorite band. M2Pro and then shows their good side, carefully retracing all the energy of the track.
Insights
It is difficult to draw an unambiguous result. If you value in the player only the sound, the M2 series will be of interest to you. If you need more features, user friendly firmware and a long time of work, he is not your option. It should add quite a hefty price, which dooms M2 in strong competition with other powerful models, and to include M2 unconditional victory comes out. Although if you like slightly dark, energetic and fatty supply, then you competitors these players simply do not exist.
An overview of the player Aune M2 — three of the casket
Pavel Dmitriev