I guess the value depends on how the headphone amplifier section has been implemented, the old S6 used dual TPA6120, so balanced output impedance was about 20 ohm. Show The fact that aune doesn't give any data on output impedance for the unit and no internal pictures are yet available makes me think that the HP output circuitry is similar to the S6, which IMO would be a bit dissapointing. 
Where did you get the information from? I don't think s6 has tpa6120.
I thought the same, but it seems it is, and internet reviews indicate poor performance (fr.variations and higher distortion) with low impedance loads and at least the single ended output. The new model price is reasonable since the AK4497 chip is expensive, but the question mark is how it perfoms as a HP amp. It's a pity that many otherwise decent AIO designs fail at providing a no compromise HP output, JDS labs and others have shown that great performance can be achieved at a low price point.
The new model price is reasonable since the AK4497 chip is expensive, but the question mark is how it perfoms as a HP amp. It's a pity that many otherwise decent AIO designs fail at providing a no compromise HP output, JDS labs and others have shown that great performance can be achieved at a low price point.It's surely funny that their old an low end products perform better. And aune came from hifidiy (like diyaudio but Chinese). You can search for artemis amplifier or their s7. They use opamps in parallel like massively parallel structure but..... Anyway.
Well shit. I don't know why they do this. BTW, there is way to make tpa6120 shine. But as far as I see they didn't figure it out. Composite amplifier. Just like atom but use tpa6120 instead of lme49600. Btw 49600 itself is pretty shit. Tpa6120 is much better in either configuration.
It isn't necessarily bad, most full size headphones don't need a low output impedance, and planars have a flat impedance curve, but at this price level I would expect something a bit different, not a run off the mill solution, anyway the IMHO overpriced Sennheiser HDVD series also use TPA6120 ICs. I'll wait and see what Topping will have on offer with the DX7 Pro, I'm not in a hurry to buy something right now, If I were I would probably go with the ADI 2 Pro FS, in fact I would have already purchased it, but for the AK4490 chips they use I fear that they may bring a new revision sooner or later with newer ICs and DSD512 (which by the way is pretty useless), but since I'm already served I can wait and try to minimize losses in value. trlMajor Contributor
Both chips can be implemented with near zero output impedance by using couple of inductors on output. These are very good output buffers, I don't see reasons to complain.
Yea it's about implementation. But unfortunately 99% of the implementations with tpa6120 are shit.
from that Russian review here are the translation of measurements of headphone out with TPA6120: Freq response 40-15000Hz - +0.02 dB -0.15dB Noise, db(A) -100.4 Dynamic range, dB(A) 98.4 THD, % 0.00217 THD+noise, dB(A) -89.7 Intermodulation+noise, % 0.00459 Stereo crosstalk, dB -94.1 Intermodulation at 10kHz, % 0.00593 Decent?
I don't think that FR can be right, it is almost magnetic tape territory. I was considering this unit for its balanced output, but I'm waiting for the DX7 Pro, if price is right, and they can get low OI while protecting headphones (seems to be the DX3 Pro achiles heel, at least with some units, so I don't want to risk plugging in 2000$ headphones) then I'll probably go for it. VeriMaster Contributor
Eh? How so?
I've checked again the review, the data is correct, but the FR extends below 20hz and above 20khz, only that at 20khz we're at -0.5dB, so it's a bit rolled off, nothing uncommon, on paper seems a good unit with a run of the mill HP output (should sound good, anyway), that's why they sell a separate HP amp.
I don't think these results are anywhere near accurate - the tester used the ADC on a Soundblaster soundcard to test. It would be great to see some actual measurements for the Aune S6 Pro - it seems like a nice package, both single ended and balanced headphone amps have more power in the Pro version.
Aune measures their gear, and they seem honest in that regard, so I trust them. However, for the price of this unit there are other options, and there's also upcoming competition from Topping. Is Aune S6 Pro A good DAC?Aune S6 Pro is excellent for what it does best, namely being a DAC with headphone output. If the primary need is a headphone amplifier, it only works for those who have fully immersed themselves in the digital wave. And they will probably miss the possibility of streaming and wireless audio. How much does the aune S6 cost?Disclaimer: Aune supplied the S6 for this review. The S6 is a 32-bit, DSD-capable DAC and headphone amp featuring the AKM AK4495 DAC chip, variable voltage line outputs, and both single ended and balanced headphone outputs. It goes for 599$ USD. You can find out all about it here: Aune S6 32Bit /384K DSD 128 Balanced output DAC/Headphone. Is the aune S9C worth the price?All I can say is that I think the S9c is a lot of value for its asking price. Aune S6 PRO is a large Desktop DAC/ Balanced headphne amplifier, priced at 550 USD at the moment of writing this review. This makes it a competition for the likes of iFi iDSD Black Label, Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital, and Burson Playmate. Is the aune a desktop DAC/AMP?It is a desktop DAC/AMP. One, which provides reasonable power for not only the easy to drive in your collection, but the harder to drive…Witness what others have said about the ability to drive their collections with the S6, and we would rightly conclude that those needs are indeed met with the Aune. |
