Aune company has long established itself as a thoughtful developer of low-cost and high-quality audio solutions. On the review I had a good DAC / headphone amplifier X1 Pro, a portable amplifier B1 and, of course, their first M1 player, combining good sound and no firmware. The company clearly understood that in today's market player, playing only WAV - not competitive, so the development of the M2 came up more seriously. What did they do?
Sometimes it seems to me that Aune has read some book on IT marketing for beginners and implemented a basic advice from there: "release several versions with slight differences in functionality and a big difference in price." Otherwise, to explain the release of three almost identical (in theory) players is difficult to explain.
The basic Aune M2 costs about $ 350 and does not look any different from its more expensive counterparts. The next step is the Aune M2 Pro, the main difference being the use of two master Crystek CCHD575 generators and another amplification option. This immediately raises the price tag to $ 500-520. Finally, at the top of the pyramid is the M2s, which is distinguished by its beautiful blue hull color and the use of a "Teflon substrate printed circuit board made using technologies that are used in the space industry." Such an innovation immediately requires additional investment, and therefore the top option costs about $ 650.
As you can see, everything is done exactly according to the canons of marketing. The difference in models is small enough to greatly affect the cost price, but at the same time the price coverage extends from the beginning of the middle segment to the lower flagships.
When reading the differences in the versions, it is logical to expect that the M2 and M2 Pro differ by the sound (after all, the other tuning of the op-amp), but the difference between M2 Pro and M2s should clearly be beyond the audibility. In practice, the difference is, and notable, it is unlikely to be due solely to the board material. Of course, I have no proof, but I think that in M2s not only the fee was changed.
But it is unlikely that these considerations are interesting to anyone, let's go directly to the review.
Specifications
Headphone Amplifier
- Output Impedance: 1Ω
- Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise: 0.0009% @ 300Ω
- Maximum power: 230 mW @ 32Ω
Linear output
- Level: 2VRMS
- Total harmonic distortion + noise: 0.00038%
- Dynamic range: 117 dB
Other
- DAC: AK4490
- Supported formats: WAV up to 32 bit / 192 kHz, FLAC up to 24 bit / 192 kHz, APE, AAC, ALAC, MP3, DSD64, DSF, DFF, DSD ISO
- Memory: Micro SD
- Outputs: 3.5 mm earphone, 3.5 mm linear
- Battery: 3500 mAh
- Charging time: ~ 5 h
- Operating time from one charge: ~ 6 h
- Screen: TFT, 2.6 "
- Dimensions: 65 mm × 110 mm × 17 mm
- Weight: 195 g
Packing and delivery kit
In Aune decided not to spend money on some delicacies and made a very simple compact box of solid black cardboard with a minimal silver embossing. Inside is the player itself, a microUSB cable, a 16-gigabyte flash drive with an instruction in electronic form and a protective film on the screen.
If for the younger model M2 this is more than a good delivery package tolerable for the average M2Pro, then for the M2s this is clearly not enough. For $ 650, you obviously expect more.
Design and management
The appearance of Aune devices is more than successful. A compact enough body made of anodized aluminum with a stylish longitudinal texture looks quite comparable with top solutions. It conveniently fits in the hand, all controls are available for one-handed manipulation.
The top end is lonely placed on / off button, it also traditionally turns off the screen and blocks the player. On the right side there is a pushable wheel, on the playback screen it allows you to adjust the volume, in other cases, duplicates the navigation buttons. There is also a connector for microSD cards, a reset hole and an expansion port covered with a rubber plug. For what this port is needed - so far a mystery, as no accessories for it Aune have not yet been released.
At the bottom there are all connectors, two 3.5-mm outputs: headphones and a line, as well as MicroUSB for charging. Neither the USB DAC function, nor the USB Mass Storage support in the player has been delivered, nor the digital outputs.
On the front panel there are a screen and three buttons that just answer for everything. I do not know why the M2 installed a color screen, it does not use the firmware at all, the interface is made in black and gray shades, the album covers are not displayed - in general, there is little sense in color. The screen quality is not bad at all, the resolution is of course average, but in the sun it can be used more or less. Since there are only three buttons, their functions are very complicated. For example, to return back the central button should be clamped and held, but if you hold it longer, the player will return you to the playback screen by making a "circle of honor" on the menu. To add to favorites, you need to press two buttons at once, in general - to learn all these fatalities, you need to read the instruction, but even then the control is far from intuitive.
The central menu consists of 4 items. In the first one all the songs are collected by one large list. The value of such a solution escapes me, because on a 64-GB card the list goes well, very large. The only application that comes to mind is to play your entire music library with a shuffle. The next menu item is the usual navigation of folders on your memory card. In general, it's almost an ideal way to view the media library, if not for one thing. The player does not understand European languages with diacritics: the names of the folders are cut off, and the files are simply not shown. And, okay, let's say, different tracks of "Göteborg symfoniker", but after losing the opportunity to listen to the favorite things of Bijelo Dugme ("Blues Za Moju Bivšu Dragu", "Šta Bi Dao Da Si Na Mom Mjestu" and dozens of others), I was very upset. For a modern player this is an inexcusable mistake. The third menu item is reserved for the list of frequently played tracks and favorites. In the last paragraph, the settings were placed, everything is standard here: the sleep timer, playback after a pause, 4 digital filter modes (I can hear only 2 by ear), the playback mode, the backlight brightness and its duration. From the unusual here it is worth noting the setting of the lock mode, you can choose which buttons will be available in it.
In general, the firmware of the player is very, very minimalist. Among the advantages of this solution is the almost lightning load (literally a couple of seconds) and the minimal impact of the software on the sound (well, at least in this one wants to believe), Aune did not even try to implement the equalizer.
Another weak point of the player is the battery, or rather its operating time. Despite a solid battery (according to the manufacturer as much as 3500 mAh), on one charge the player plays only about 6 hours. I think this is related to the amplifier used, but about it a little lower. The charge time is about 4 hours and 50 minutes, so you need to charge and listen to the player approximately the same in time. This is quite small on the background of other devices.
But the Aune M2 can be forgiven for its sound.
Sound
To listen to the device 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 amplifying part of the M2, Aune used the developments from its very successful amplifier B1, so the player received a hybrid amplification with an output stage on transistors. Also interesting is the automatic gain adjustment function for headphones. In general, a competent amplifier gives the M2 an extraordinarily effective sound with an emphasized energy of low frequencies, very low noise level and ease of use with almost any load.
Since the players visited me three, then the feedback about the sound will be the same.
The basic version of M2 is distinguished by a rather dark feed, caused by a small clamping of the MF and overshadowed by the upper frequencies. At the same time, the company's bass of this series is not compensated for anything and obviously pulls the blanket over. Something like this is similar to the HiFiMan 603, but the latter is characterized by a better refinement of the midrange. In general, the basic M2 will like, perhaps, fans of pop music, different electronic styles, simple rock and metal. He plays quite a drive, but the imaginary scene is narrow and there is not enough lightness and air in the pitch.
M2Pro just corrects the main problems of M2 and is, perhaps, the most optimal in terms of price and sound quality solution in the line. A fast, accented bass creates a pleasant and solid foundation for the melody. The midrange is slightly softened and slightly below the resolution, but noticeably better than the base model. M2Pro already copes well with the transfer of emotions and nuances of the record, it is also wider than the imaginary scene, although the depth is still small. HF is already making itself felt, although not enough to become intrusive. This modification is well suited for more serious genres: jazz, vocals, heavy styles - this is what the player will show itself best.
M2s, I listened, doubting that I would hear the difference with the Pro version, there was too little faith that the Teflon substrate of the board was capable of influencing something. Surprisingly, it turned out that M2s is quite different from previous models by sound. Whether I underestimated the positive role of Teflon, or, what seems more likely to me, Aune still changed something in the player. M2s less emphasizes low frequencies, it is more even, more natural and gives out less than that feigned vigor that is characteristic of its "younger brothers". The player takes another small step forward in the resolution of midrange, plus it has even more HF, although they still do not cross the line of reason. Nevertheless, the RF-Fob is better to look at the Pro version. This modification is ideal for complex music such as recordings of symphony orchestras, technical types of metal and other styles that require resolution and neutral filing.
Some subjective comparisons of M2Pro.
Fiio X5-2. If you take out the convenience of the UI player from Fiio and the presence of two memory card slots beyond the brackets, then Aune offers a more dynamic and dynamic bass, as well as a more integrated feed of the midrange. Also, Aune has less HF, although in the latest version of the Fiio firmware, the FT switch has been added, which makes it possible to get a softer sound.
Cayin N5. Again, you can compare players only by sound, since Cayin firmware is also much better. Cayin plays more strictly, academically. He has a more collected bass, less "fervor" in the pitch and more HF. Of the plus Cayin - more outlined attacks, from the minuses - on the sensitive headphones there is noise.
QLS 360. The developers of this player went further in the matter of minimalism, so its menu is even simpler, although at the expense of more buttons its control is more convenient. By sound, the QLS 360 is more neutral, it better delivers the upper part of the range above 1000 Hz, although it loses a bit on the lower middle. Aune sounds "more bold" and less detailed. In pluses, Aune has a smaller size, while QLS has a battery life.
No less subjective comparison of Aune M2s.
Cayin N6. Player from Cayin differs more reserved submission of a bass, it here hardly is less quantitative, plus N6 does not try to add to sounding of energy. At medium frequencies, about parity, on the high frequency I would give the palm tree of the Cayin championship. Of the advantages of Aune - a more versatile design, and Cayin takes the best functionality.
Luxury & Precision L5 Pr.o Of course, more convenient to control the player, slightly less bass, a little colder than the MF, a little more emphasis on the upper frequencies. The result is a more intelligent sound, collected, but not devoid of physicality.
Fiio X7 + AM2. I will not even talk about the difference in functionality, it's just cosmic. By sound, these devices are almost complete antipodes, the X7 has less drive on the bass, sub-midrange and HF, which gives me personally a more voluminous and well-traced scene, although lovers of "meat", of course, the supply of Aune is more suitable. Here generally the rule is quite simple: anyone who likes X7, it is unlikely that the court will have M2s, and vice versa.
I do not see the point in deciphering the difference in the basic version of the Aune M2, it differs in its peculiar and darkened pitch, so in all cases the comparison will reflect this aspect.
Compatibility
In terms of compatibility with headphones, the brainchild of Aune demonstrates simply remarkable results. Low output impedance allows you to easily use multi-turn fittings and hybrids, including the most low-resistance. For sensitive headphones in the M2 prepared a very low noise level, for full-sized models - a good margin for power. This is supplemented with an automatic gain control, so almost any load always works with a comfortable range of volume control. So the choice of headphones for these players should be based solely on personal taste preferences. I, for example, liked the top multi-turn reinforcement models from Campfire Audio and Noble.
I already wrote about the stylistic preferences of the players in the sound section, and to the quality of the record these players are quite tolerant because of the clamped high-frequency (of course, for M2s this is less true). On a 10-point scale, I would rate the "pickiness" of M2Pro at 6 points, and M2s at 8.
Several traditional tracks for example.
Nightwish - Edema Ruh. Beautiful almost ballad from the last album of geniuses of symphonic metal is filled with beautiful effects, and thanks to M2Pro bass, it acquires the power necessary for transferring the background.
Magnum - Crazy Old Mothers. Despite more than 40-year history, this group is little known to listeners, but in vain. Their genre is usually called AOR, that is Arena Oriented Rock, and it's great for them. Not banal melodies, clinging reefs, a sea of drive and energy - all this is Magnum. Naturally, Aune M2Pro perfectly copes with this composition.
Rage - My Way. Well, in order not to violate the stylistic integrity of today's collection - another old man of a heavy shop. A new track from the upcoming album shows that in the matter of creating a drive for equal Rage is still not enough, and most likely on the new album we are waiting for the same beloved band. M2Pro and then shows himself on the good side, diligently acting out all the power of the track.
conclusions
It is difficult to sum up an unambiguous result. If you appreciate the player only sound, then the M2 series will be interesting to you. If you need additional features, convenient firmware and a long time of work, that's not your option. To this it is worth adding a fairly large price, which doesom M2 to strong competition with other powerful models, and count M2 unconditional victory does not go. Although if you like a slightly dark, energetic and fatty feed, then for you competitors these players simply do not exist.
The article is based on materials .
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