Introduction:
The device was lent to me as part of FiiO's review tour. I was given 10 days with the device to evaluate it and in return give my honest opinion about it. My current equipment is an LH Labs Geek Out V2 as my source, my headphones include a balanced HD650, Sony MA900, M-Audio Q40. I listen to a wide variety of music and generally tend to prefer my sound to be transparent, musical, and detailed. 
 
Build Quality:
FiiO absolutely nailed this part. I have never held the previous generations of the X5, however the X5III is built impeccably well. Everything is nice to the touch and the device itself has a good amount of heft to it giving the impression of quality. The buttons - albeit weirdly laid out and positioned - feel solid and give good feedback. The device has an analog volume knob (even though you could still adjust it digitally on screen). The volume adjusts in small increments and reacts linearly to minor adjustments. FiiO did a very good job here.
 
 
UI:
The X5III uses Android version 5.1 and for the most is actually pretty quick and responsive. However, I have encountered that apps like Tidal experience hiccups every once in a while. Another problem I encountered is that the Wifi cuts off randomly sometimes, and when I try to re-connect it takes longer than usual. Battery life is nothing special, however I am quite disappointed with the way this device loses juice when its idle and not in use. Overall I am happy FiiO went the Android way as this means a wide selection of music apps and players, and a lot of customization. For reference, I am using the stock FiiO firmware and did not want to fiddle with anything. 
 
Sound:
All music testing here was done in Tidal using the HiFi quality (lossless files).
 
The way I would describe the sound on the X5III is that it doesn't compromise on anything in favor of another. It manages to achieve and impressive amount of detail without tuning the sound to be bright. I have always preferred a warm, laid back sound but I have found that this often comes at the price of perceived clarity and detail. The X5, surprisingly, manages to achieve outstanding musicality with its warm, spacious sound while also retrieving subtle information in music. 
 
Instrument separation and a wide soundstage is one of the first things that stand out when listening to the X5. Instruments are widely spaced out and never feel mushed together. This, along with the wide soundstage, gives off a euphoric, almost life-like sound. 
 
The bass and midrange are beautifully integrated together to achieve a certain "thickness" to vocals and instruments which really enhances the musicality. One caveat with the bass is that it sometimes sound sluggish sometimes. The transitions in different bass frequencies dont seem to be as seamless as other gear I own (GO v2). The decay one the notes is also somewhat slower. This is not easily picked up but I thought I'd mention it since I noticed it a few times compared to my GO v2. As a whole though, the bass is extremely well defined and detailed, and is very pleasant to listen to. There seems to be more elevation in the mid/upper bass areas than deeper subbass. Gives an extremely satisfying thump to certain instruments and makes them stand out. This also contributes to the overall warmth characteristic that it possesses. I was listening to Woodkid's "Iron" and the way the drums are represented on the X5 is beautiful. They hit with authority, detail, and clarity. The midrange of the X5 has a certain sweetness to it. It is not forward nor recessed, however its warmth resonates a certain delicacy in instruments and voices that renders them beautifully. The midrange carries tons of detail and never sound shouty or harsh.  
 
The highs seems to be - relatively speaking - laid back and not as pronounced. I do miss the sparkle I got on my other sources, however the softer treble translates to me being able to listen for longer periods of time and relaxing more while doing so. The treble still offers plenty of detail and extension, however, if you like brightness you may want to look elsewhere. 
 
Comparison to LH Labs GO v2:
To be clear this is will be comparing the sound through the 3.5mm SE output as opposed to the Balanced out. I would have loved to test out the 2.5mm TRRS on the X5, however my balanced HD650 terminates in a 3.5TRRS and there wasn't enough time for me to get an adapter shipped in time. Therefore, this is a comparison of the SE outputs only. 
 
It seems that overall, the GO v2 seems to be the slightly faster, more detailed, and more forward source. It has a neutral signature with emphasis on the crystal clear mids and a sparkly (though not-fatiguing) treble. Bass is extremely quick and tight. What it lacks in musicality it makes up for in its technical ability. 
 
The X5 is a somewhat different story. On the surface it may appear like it may not have perceived clarity of the v2, however the more you listen the more the notice that it in fact "perceived" and the levels of clarity on the X5 are impressive. The soundstage is wider, instrument separation is better, and there's seems to be more room to "breathe". For me, it falls behind the v2 in terms of detail, speed, and decay, however it makes up for all of this with its warm, musical signature. 
 
Closing Thoughts:
To say that I enjoyed my time with the X5 would be a vast understatement. I found its musicality very appealing and ended up listening to it hours upon hours endlessly. I just wish it was cheaper as I feel (and this is purely my opinion) it is priced somewhat high. FiiO have made an excellent job of putting together a device that not only sounds incredible, but is also built remarkably well and has a lot of options and potential in the future.
 
Thanks for reading my review. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

Cayin C5DAC: A Deadly Challenger in the Portable Market​

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Please click on the photos for the highest quality. 
 

About me & Introduction

I am a student who is a music enthusiast with a big appreciation for music and audio gear. The genres I listen to consist of, well, everything, apart from blues and country. My main priorities in Audio equipment are transparency, timbre, and musicality. When listening to music, I tend to focus on enjoying it rather than dissecting every single piece of it. I do not like listening to music in an analytical manner. I do not believe in cables. I believe in burn in. I also believe in ghosts.  
 
Firstly, I want to thank Cayin for giving me the marvelous opportunity of reviewing their new C5DAC. I was one the chosen people to review the unit. Yes, this is a review unit. And no, this will have no effect whatsoever on my thoughts and opinions. Also, this is the first Cayin product I try.
 
The C5DAC has an MSRP of $260, but is selling at $200 and upwards at different distributors and stores.
 
This is a subjective review. I write down my opinions, on my music, to my own, imperfect ears. Its also good to note that I listen to music on really low volumes. Now that we got that off the way, onto the review. 
 

Packaging

Simply put, I had to wrestle my way into the original package the device was in. There were endless layers of protection. This is both a good and bad thing. Its good because there it is practically impossible for your unit to arrive damaged. Its bad because now I have to put everything back and ship it to the next reviewer 

. 

This is only a very small part of the whole package.
 
Then you get the actual package itself, and it is very nice. It is plain and simple but its also very functional and sturdy. I don't like the color of the package though. I would have preferred a darker color scheme.

 

Specifications:

 
 

What's inside the box?

- The unit itself.
- 2 rubber bands for stacking
- A really nice protective bag
- 3.5 to 3.5 interconnect
- Micro USB to normal USB cable
- Micro to Micro USB cable
- 3.5 RCA Coaxial cable
- User manual
 
 
 
As you can see, Cayin provides all the cables you need. For iDevice users, you need to get a lightening to usb hub to get the C5DAC to work. The protective bag that came with the unit is very nice. Has a nice feel to it and feels premium. The included cables are decent, but I would have preferred a thicker Micro to Micro USB cable. The one included is very thin and feels like its going to go break soon. The blue bands (or belts as Cayin calls them) are also nice. I had to stretch them out a bit so that they fit my LG G4 stacked with the C5DAC.
 

 Build Quality, Design, and Features: ​

The overall build quality of the unit is very good. It mainly consists of some sort of metal (which in some ways reminds me of plastic), brushed in a light gold color. Not my favorite color to be honest, I think the C5DAC would have looked so much sexier in red or silver. The metal feels fairly good and has a premium feel to it. However it does not give the device any heft, which makes the C5DAC end up being fairly lightweight. There's a pro and a con to this. The pro is that stacking will be a lot easier and lighter, and it makes the device that much portable. The con is that it may feel cheap at times because of the weight (or rather lack thereof). If it was heavier, it would have felt better in the hand. 
 
The rest of the unit is made of plastic. This includes the gain switches, the top part of the unit, and the bottom where all the inputs are. I don't like the plastic that makes up the device. For a device of $260 MSRP, you would expect something a bit better. For example, my Aune T1 costs less and is built much better. 
 
The volume knob, however, is excellent. Even though it is plastic, I found that it has a superb feel and was fairly smooth. The volume pot turns till 10, and the number is written in the knob and can be seen through the plastic covering it. I wish the digits were black or at least a dark color instead of gold, as it is sometimes hardly visible in poorly lit areas. 
 
 

 
 
 

Is it portable?

Yes, absolutely. Many "portable" devices on the market currently really aren't portable in any way. They are much too big and heavy, and usually are a pain to stack. Not the C5DAC though. Since it is lightweight, portability is absolutely awesome. I had no problems stacking it up with my LG G4 and going out and about. It fits the pocket perfectly and doesn't brother you much when moving. 
 

 
 

Is it versatile? 

Also a BIG yes here. the unit comes with all the input and output features you'd want. There's a switch which alternates between using the DAC+Amp and using the Amp only. So, you can use the the C5DAC as an amp only and connect it with another DAC using the line in, which is what I did using my T1. And, you can also use the DAC only and pair it up with another Amp (though i wouldn't recommend that, as i will explain later in the sound section.) I hope that made sense. 
 
There is also a coaxial output. and 2 micro usb slots, 1 for the power and 1 for the DAC. 
 
 
The inputs/outputs of the C5Dac.                                             A side view of the unit. 
 
A very nice volume knob.                                                          The battery indicators and an overview of the device.
 

The heaphone out and the line in, for connecting with another DAC.
 
Something I was impressed with is how the device manages to physically stay cold and never get hot. Seriously, compared to my T1, the Cayin is like a freezer and the T1 is like a cooking pot thats been dipped in hell fire. Im exaggerating, of course, but you get my point. 
 
Update: The unit does get hot, when both the DAC and Amp are used in the duration of 4 hours or more. 
 
Something I wasn't particularly impressed with in terms of versatility is that I could not get the C5DAC to work with my PS4. This is strange because both my T1 and Sabre DAC work (even though the Sabre hisses). I would have LOVED to see it working with my PS4. This is because my console is not in the same room as my audio gear, and I have to carry my T1 (which is not portable at all) just to get to play with some decent sound. If the C5DAC had worked with the PS4, that would be a huge plus for me personally, as it would save me the trouble of carrying around the T1 everytime i want to play. This is a nitpick, but I just wanted to mention it. 
 

Features?

Here's the fun part: the unit has a bass boost switch 

. It also has a gain switch (duh). 
 
I will get to how these switches affect the sound, but the functionality is superb. I really appreciate having a bass boost switch in my Amp. I am not a basshead in the very definition of that word, meaning that 90% of the time with all my music I would prefer neutral bass (and a neutral sound signature at that), but for specific headphones like the Q40 and specific genres such as electronic and rap, I like a lot of bass. And in those brief and specific times, I turn into a bass-craving machine. Here's where the bass boost function comes in. 
 
The gain switch, well, I don't think you will ever get to use it. The Amp part in the unit packs some serious punch and I have never had to set the gain on high, not even for the HD650's. 
 

The bass and gain switches. 
 

How's the battery life?

In a word? Decent. Cayin is advertising 19 hours with the amp only and 9 hours with the DAC+Amp. I mostly used the unit as an amp only, and although it didn't quite reach the advertised time, it was close. I'd estimate about 16 hours of usage. As for the DAC+Amp battery life, I will say its good, but I didn't keep track of how many hours it took to drain the battery accurately. Overall, decent. Nothing more, nothing less. 
 

Sound​

 

Noise floor: 

Here's where I was slightly disappointed. With nearly all my over and on-ear headphones, I really couldn't hear any noise at moderate listening levels. Even when I bumped the volume up, there wasn't any hiss. With my sensitive JVC HA-S500, there was a tiny bit of hiss at high volumes. However, I then plugged in my IEM's (Denon C300), and there was a noticeable amount of hiss. Now if that wasn't a problem already, I listen to music on low volumes, so the hiss is very noticeable for me especially. Once you turn the volume up, it becomes barely noticeable but when you switch tracks (if you don't have gapless playback) you will hear it. I would like to note that this is not entirely the C5DAC's fault. My Denon's hiss everywhere i plug them in to a certain extent, its just that with the Cayin, its the most noticeable. 
 

Gain:

Don't want to go over this too much as I haven't spent a lot of time with it, but I didn't need to use the gain settings for any of my headphones. On low gain, the C5 had sufficient power for all my cans. That said, when I turn the gain to high, I noticed the sound getting a bit more forward. The mids in particular, are slightly more forward and there is a slight hint of added midbass (or that might just be my imagination). 
 

Bass boost: 

Possibly one of the coolest features ever fitted to Amps, having a bass boost is a huge plus for me. With my HD650, MA900, and DT880, I ended up never having use this function. However, with my already bassy cans such as the Q40, C300, and S500, I used it almost 90% of the time. Not because the aforementioned cans lack any bass, but because with those cans, I only listen to electronic and urban-type music which has a lot bass. For those specific genres, I use the bass boost switch all the time. 
 
The boost in the bass comes mainly in the midbass. This is excellent for Rap, Hip-Hop, and Techno, but rather mediocre with drum and bass, neurofunk, and trap, which require a lot of subbass. I cannot say the exact amount added in dB as Im not very good at that, but I can tell you this: it adds a really nice amount of punch, sometimes too much actually on already bass-heavy songs. The boost is also present in the upper bass section, giving drums, kicks, and snares a greater impact. Very enjoyable for Techno music. I'm nitpicking here, but i really wish it came with 2 bass settings. 1 for boosting the super-low, sub bass frequencies, and another for boosting the mid and upper bass. 
 

Power: 

This unit packs a lot of punch. A lot. From my 12ohm MA900 to my 300ohm HD650, this fed them with extreme ease. I never got the volume pot past 3 (out of 10 that is) for every single one of my headphones, HD650's included. And thats on low gain too! Ok, I know I've said this a million times by know, but its good to note that i listen to music on low volumes. So I'd imagine a normal human being to never get past 5 or 6 on the volume pot with the HD650's (a rough estimate). However, this power also comes at a cost. Its almost too powerful for IEM's. With my C300's, I had to put the volume on 3 then lower the volume from the DAC, just to get rid of the channel imbalance. Its not severe, and if its not an IEM, you definitely shouldn't worry. But, for IEM users, I'm afraid the Cayin is simply too powerful for IEMs and you will end up getting channel imbalance. Unless, of course, you do what I ended up doing (lowering the volume from the DAC, then turning up the Amp volume). 
 

How does it sound? 

I want to make sure I go over all aspects of the sound, so this section will be divided into many subsections. I will talk about it as an Amp only, then write about how it pairs with each of my headphones, then describe the DAC and Amp together, then compare it to other sources and DAC/Amps I own. Here we go:
 

Amp: 

Lets start with the Amp only. For this setup, I hooked up some RCA cables from the RCA out through the line in of C5DAC, using my Aune T1 with an Amperex 7308 tube and a GE Smokie tube. So, I was using my T1 as the DAC, and utilizing the C5DAC as an Amp only. 
 
In terms of the overall sound signature of the Amp, I have found it to be slightly warm with a tiny bit of extra presence in the treble. 
 
It was a very nice improvement, especially considering that the Amp in the T1 is the best of all my other Amps - but then again I don't have a lot of Amps. The main improvement came in the highs. The highs in the C5DAC's Amp were so crisp and clear, yet not NEARLY as splashy or fatiguing as the T1's built in Amp. In fact, I never realized how splashy the treble was on the T1 until I hooked it up the the C5. The amp in the T1 is already bright, and the C5DAC is a touch less bright. I still consider the Cayin to be an ever-so-slightly (emphasis on the word slightly) bright amp, but the big difference here is the quality of the highs rather than the quantity. Everything became less fatiguing and more enjoyable. One more thing, the Cayin got rid of the slight sibilance found the T1. As I said, the treble is very clean. 
 
Moving up (or rather down) to the mids, and wow. The mids are extremely sweet here and a bit forward. Very natural sounding. Stringed instruments sound wonderful and very realistic. Vocals are a bit warmer than the T1, which is nice. The big improvement in the mids, however, happen to the male vocals. This is also partly due to the Cayin's superior bass response (will get to that later), but male vocals sound more authoritative now, and possess more weight to them. I also think the mids add to the musicality of the amp section. They are just so sweet sounding. 
 
I found the Cayin to have a very slight midbass boost, this, as I stated above, helps male vocals shine. I can sense the added impact it brought to the music over my other amps. The bass here is tight and clean. Subbass extension is also superb. Im not the best at describing this, but with some instruments like the Piano or an acoustic guitar you can actually feel the sound rather than just hear it. It just adds a lot of emotion to said instruments, making them not only more musical, but also weightier. 
 
Overall clarity and detail:
The clarity here is a tiny notch above my T1. Everythings sounds slightly clearer. Detail retrieval is also very impressive. 
 
The soundstage and imaging capabilities here are equally impressive. Imaging is most impressive, though. Paired with the HD650, which already have laser-like imaging, the experience was sublime. You could close your eyes and point at every single instrument and where the vocalist was exactly. Soundstage is also good, but wasn't that much of an improvement over the T1's amp. There is also excellent instrument separation. I never felt as if the instruments have been mushed together, they are always spaced out and within range of each other. 
 

With my headphones:

The amp of the C5DAC paired well with almost all my headphones. 
 

Sennheiser HD650

A great pairing for sure. The Senns are already famed for having magical mids, and paired with the Cayin, the vocals here are phenomenal. With the Cayin, this is a nice balance between warmth and sonic capabilities. This is an extremely musical pairing. 
 

Beyerdynamic DT880/250

The Beyers already paired well with the T1's amp, and here, well, they're even better. The Cayin took the edge of the highs ever so slightly and added a hint of warmth. 
 

Sony MDR MA900

Here's the the thing with these headphones. They are grainy. Specifically, the lower mids can sound grainy and unrealistic. On every Amp I have tried them, the grain is there, but on some amps its less noticeable than others. With the Cayin, its still grainy, but at least less noticeable than my other amps. Remember, this is the headphones fault not the amp.
Everything apart from that, sound is outstanding to be honest.
 

M-Audio Q40

The least amp-finicky headphone in my collection, but I especially liked it with the Cayin because of the bass boost function. This is a great headphone for Electronic music, and with the added midbass of the bass boost, it can make for some really enjoyable times. 
 

Denon C300

No matter how much I tried to like this pairing, I just didn't. Firstly, there's the hiss, which as I mentioned earlier, is driving me crazy. Then there's the fact that this just doesn't pair well with the Cayin. Veiled sound. Lacking weight and depth. No me gusta. 
 
 

 
 

Amp Comparisons

C5DAC's amp vs Aune T1's amp:

Basically, everything on the C5DAC's amp is slightly better. As I mentioned earlier, the bass is tighter on the C5DAC and extends deeper. There is also more impact. In terms of overall sound signature, The Cayin is warmer with less treble energy. The T1's treble can be splashy and uncontrolled at times. The Cayin is a lot sweeter sounding, and has more body, emotion, and weight compared to the T1's amp. The mids on the Cayin are also better. Instruments sound more realistic and clearer. Overall clarity and transparency between the two is very close but the edge goes to the Cayin. Soundstage-wise, they're both the same in terms of width. However, the Cayin's soundstage has more depth to it, and is more accurate. Imaging is also a nice improvement and is easily noticeable. Imaging on the Cayin is sharper and better overall. Instrument separation is very close, but still goes to the Cayin. Overall, switching from the T1's amp to the C5DAC feels like everything is improved a slight bit, but musicality take a big leap forward. Everything sounds more musical and enjoyable on the Cayin. 

 
 

C5DAC's amp vs FiiO E11 (MK1)

The difference here is much bigger than that between the Cayin and the T1. You instantly feel like everything is improved quite a bit. The FiiO has a dark sound signature with loose bass and a recessed midrange. I don't like the soundstage and instrument separation of the FiiO at all. The Cayin is signifcantly better in that regard. Everything is a lot clearer. Midrange is more present, bass is tighter and faster. I feel like this isn't really a fair comparison, the Cayin is a lot better. If only I had an E12 to compare the two. 
In terms of bass boost, the E11 offers a nice bass boost that can sometimes overpower the mids. The bass on the 2nd setting is a bit muddy and loose. The Cayin's bass boost can also sound slow and muddy, but to a much lesser degree. 

 

C5DAC as a DAC + Amp​

*My reference here is an Aune T1 with Amperex 7308 tube; overall cost is around $225. 
 
Here is where I was disappointed. Its not that the DAC sounded bad, but it just wan't up to par with my t1. This makes me sad because the the C5DAC has such a great Amp but the DAC is really neutering its performance. Cayin, this is my advice to you: Take the DAC section, do some witchcraft to fix it up, then sell the unit, and I guarantee it will be one of the best audio bargains for under $300. Lets get the sound. 
 
The C5DAC had what I would describe as a slightly thin sounding DAC. Even though there was an added amount of midbass, it doesn't help with the overall sound. The overall signature here is neutral with extra presence in the highs. What disappointed me the most in the DAC is that there was something a bit "off" in the tonality. Its hard to describe, but it is missing something. It sounds unnatural and thin. Everything sounds digitalized. This is not an analogue sounding DAC/Amp whatsoever. 
 
There is a nice amount of added midbass punch. The overall character of the bass is surprisingly decent, but its not flawless. The bass can get somewhat loose and extension isn't the greatest also.  The midrange, well here is where it gets interesting, the mids have a nasal-like quality to them which can make some instruments sound unnaturally harsh. Vocals sound digitalized, as I said earlier. You just don't get the impression that they're true to life. Highs are boosted, but unlike the amp section, its not very controlled and can get splashy sometimes. Clarity and detail are very good though, they're not as good as the DAC in the T1, but still very good. The best aspect in sound I feel is the imaging and soundstage. They are very impressive. 
 
Is it bad souning? Not in the least. All of these aspects are hardly noticeable and one must listen closely to detect them. I still think the DAC is good sounding. Good. Nothing more, nothing less. 
 
Is it better than an laptop's onboard soundcard or a phone's internal DAC? Yes, absolutely. But I don't feel like its as good some other DACs in its price range. 
 
I don't know If im just spoiled by the T1's DAC, but the C5DAC can use some improvement in the DAC section. 
 

Comparisons with other DACs and sources

C5DAC vs Aune T1:

The T1 just sounds nicer. Overall clarity and detail is better with the T1. The bass is tighter, and has more extension. The biggest difference is in the mids though, the T1 portrays instruments and vocals more naturally than the Cayin. Soundstage is about the same, and so is imaging. So there you go, the T1 gets the win in terms of DAC, but the Cayin slays it in the amp section. 
 

C5DAC vs Hifimediy Sabre DAC

Both of these are legendary for on the go, high quality sound, but the Cayin takes the cake here. Layering, imaging, soundstage - all of these, the C5DAC does it better. The Sabre sounds ever more unnatural in the mids than the C5DAC. 

 
 

C5DAC vs LG G4 and iPad 4

Versus the LG, there is no comparison. Be in no doubt, the Cayin is an improvement nearly everywhere, and by quite a large margin.
Versus the iPad, hmm, similar, but the C5DAC is still better. I consider the iPad to have one of the best built-in chips of a tablet/mobile device. Its really that good. Nevertheless, the C5DAC is still a noticeable improvement. 
 

Closing Thoughts​

Let's wrap up with list of Pros and Cons: 
 
Pros: 
Excellent sounding, powerful amp.
Nice build quality (though could use some improvement in the plastics)
PORTABLE!
Versatile
Comes with all the cables you'll need, and a nice protective bag.
 
Cons:
Mediocre DAC
Hisses with sensitive IEMs and headphones
Too powerful for IEMs
 
Cayin really did hit the nail in with one. Despite its mediocre DAC, I feel like the C5DAC is an excellent unit for great sound on the go. The amp part was fabulous, and brought a lot of joy to my ears. Its a versatile DAC/Amp with nice features, and I have no problems whatsoever recommending it. The Pros really do outweigh the cons. 
 
Good luck to Cayin with their future products, I feel like they have a lot of potential. 
 
I spent a lot of time and effort writing this review up, so feedback will be greatly appreciated. 

My reviews are usually long winded and detailed, but in this review im keeping things short as this is not a high-end product by any means. 
I have had the Sansa Clip since June of last year, and it has served me well ever since. It is uber-convenient and portable. This thing is small, and i mean really small. I take it with me basically everywhere. It has survived through a lot of sweat and water in the gym or when working out, i also dropped it a couple of times. This little thing has been through a lot of abuse and it can take it. Usually with my cheap, budget-oriented gear, my use is rough and i don't think the Clip has a problem with that. 
 
Build Quality:
Almost entirely made of plastic. Doesn't have much weight to it which does give the impression of cheapness but as i said previously, this things can take some pretty heavy abuse. So yes, its made out of plastic, but who's to complain, it costs less than 30 bucks. 
 
UI: 
Very easy to use and navigate through, however some of the settings are a little hard to find (such as EQ) but thats ok. There is some slowness and lag when switching through songs quickly or moving through the UI too quickly. This is probably a good time to mention that my Clip is NOT rockboxed. 
 
Sound:
Now this is the part that surprised me a bit, and not in a good way either. From reading the glowing reviews, I figured these would at least be as good as an iPod or a smartphone in terms of sound. But no, these sound worse actually. I don't know, is my unit defective? Have my ears been spoiled by my higher end gear? Or is this unit simply overhyped in terms of sound? A lot of people here say that the sound is comparable to an iTouch or to a decent-sounding smartphone, but i simply disagree. I honestly don't understand what all the fuss is about. Following is a brief description of the sound and comparisons with other DAPs i have tried. 
 
The Clip is not neutral whatsoever. It has a kind of dark, smooth sound with the a hint of warmth. I have found the Clip to be lacking in dynamics. This is especially noticeable when paired with anything that isn't an IEM. Even my easy to drive, low impedance JVC S500's sound like they lack some punch and impact. Its weird the way this DAP sounds, it not thin, but it feels weak. I hope im getting my point across. Simply put, the sound doesn't feel authoritative. Initially, i thought this had to do with the low volume i usually like to listen to, so i cranked the volume up. However, the problem still persisted. 
 
The bass on this DAP is, well, not so good. The sub bass extension weak and midbass feels like it lacks impact. There is a nice amount of upper bass though. Bass definition and tightness is meh. 
Midrange is decent. Vocals are leaning towards the dark side which sometimes equated to loss of clarity but i really can't complain much here. Instruments sound okay. Nothing special here, but nothing bad either. 
Highs are rolled off. I think they are the worst part of the spectrum. They lack detail and extension, and don't sound clean at all. They are smooth though, which was nice for long listening periods.
Soundstage is also meh. The Sansa sounded very closed in and congested to me. Kind of has some "wonkiness" in the soundstage. Instrument separation is not that great either. 
 
Compared to my old iTouch: (not sure which gen, but i think its 3rd or 4th gen)
The ipod had a much cleaner sound and sounded a lot more authoritative. I didn't like the treble on the iTouch as it sounded splashy and uncontrolled, but i did like the bass. Extension and texture was
great. Basically everything was better than the Clip. Same comparison applies to my phones (Xperia Z3) though my phones is a bit better than the iPod. These comparisons are just for reference so you can see how the Clip compares to popular DAPs. 
 
As you can see, im not very fond of the way the Clip sounds. And im not even a harsh critic. I just don't understand how people compare it to products from Apple and such. 
Everything else though, is brilliant for the price. 
 
This was my own, subjective review of the Clip through my own, imperfect ears. So take it with a grain of salt. 
And as always, YMMV  

Introduction

This thread will contain a full review of the Aune T1 Tube DAC/Amp. I'm gonna try to be as objective as i can and make things simple (without sounding boring). First off, I'd like to start by saying that this will be my 1500th post !  So I am now a Supremus. Before i start, let me give you a little background information about me, the music genres i listen to, and what i look for in terms of sound. 
I am 17 years olds and have been in the audio game for nearly 2 years now. Over time i have acquired different sets of headphones ranging from the JVC HA-S500 to my beloved Beyerdynamic DT880. When listening to music, my main priorities are clarity, transparency, and soundstage as i also use my cans for gaming. I also have some bass-heavy headphones to fulfill my bass needs occasionally.

Genres I listen to:

Chillout, Game OST's (classical?), reggae, Hip-Hop/Rap, Orchestral Rock, Ambient, Nu Jazz., Arabic Adaneyat, drum and Bass, neurofunk, Vocal trance, techno, hardstyle, electronic rock, alternative rock.

Setup: Win8 PC > FLAC/320kbs Files > Aune T1 with Amperex 7308 tube

 

Pictures: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Build Quality

The T1's build quality is absolutely superb. The construction is fully made of metal, and the volume knob feels very smooth. The whole unit feels very well put together. The on/off switch and the line/usb switch also feel excellent in the hand. The unit has some weight to it which makes it reassuring. I could sit around all day just switching this thing back and fourth because of how good the switch feels. However, the acrylic tube cage that protects the tube is very fragile and breaks quickly. Thankfully though, Aune provide 2 pairs of those just in case one breaks (I broke mine). But apart from that, everything about the T1's build is terrific. 
Overall: 9/10
 
 

Versatility

The T1 is a tube DAC, not a tube amp. Let me explain, in order to use the tube of the T1, you will have to use the DAC, which can be used when the T1 is connected via USB. The built-in amp in the T1 is a solid state amp (which is surprisingly powerful). I hope that made sense. The T1 can be used as a DAC only and with a separate amp or with speakers through the RCA Outs, and can also be used as an amp with a separate DAC (Schiit Modi for example), using the RCA in at the back of the unit. (See pictures above). If you want to use both the DAC and amp, you can connect the T1 to a USB device and plug in your headphones through the line out. There is no optical input unfortunately. 
Overall: 9/10
 

Amp

T1's built in solid state amp is quite strong and has PLENTY of power to drive all my cans including my 250ohm Beyers even on the 0 gain setting. In fact, i have never saw myself needing more power even on the lowest gain setting. Partly that is due to the fact that i listen to music on very low volumes, but mostly thats because the T1's amp is powerful IMO. In terms of sound, i found the T1's amp alone to sound very neutral. Some people on the appreciation thread have found it to be a bit bright, but that is not the case with me. I found this amp to work particularly well with high-impedance headphones. 
Overall:  8/10
 

Tube Rolling:

The T1 has a very wide range of tubes that will work with it. As a result you end up with the freedom of choosing your own sound signature. The stock tube given with the T1 is an Electro Harmonix 6992, which is decent (I'll talk more about it in the sound section). However, almost everyone who owns the T1 orders some tubes along with it. The tube i chose is considered an all-time's favorite for the T1: Amperex 7308. Although its expensive, imo its worth every penny. 
 
 

Sound Quality

This section will be divided into two sections, stock amp and with my upgraded tube. 
 

Stock 6922EH tube:

When i first received my T1 and plugged in my headphones, i noticed a nice improvement over my old DAC (Hifimediy Sabre) and i liked its sound with most of my cans. The overall sound signature can be described as thick, meaty, and detailed. The bass extended down to the lowest octawaves, though it did get loose sometimes. Bass impact was quite strong (albeit less than my Sabre). The texture of the bass was also good. Moving over to the midrange i have found the tube to be slightly forward in the lower mids, which brought male vocals up a bit. However, vocals were dry and lacked texture. There was this certain "rawness" in the vocals, which i didn't particularly like. They did have a nice "thickness" that i liked though, this was especially noticed with my Beyerdynamic DT880. The vocals were kind of leaning toward the dark side, meaning that they sounded more bass-tilted.Moving over to the upper treble, there is some recession here which continues all the way up to 10k, then there is a spike. The detail was what really impressed me here. And because the soundstage was big, details popped up from everywhere. The soundstage's  wide and spacious. Imaging was mediocre IMO as it was even worse than my old Sabre DAC. Overall this tube was decent but didn't do anything that widened my eyes or made me jump out of my chair and dance. Hoewever, all of that changed when i plugged in a new tube. Below are some impressions of the stock tube with my main cans:
 

Beyerydynamic DT880

Everybody know that Beyers love tubes, and with the T1, my DT880's synergized better than anything i've used them with previously. This tube brought some of the impact and weight the Beyers were missing. Vocals are more upfront, soundstage a bit wider, and highs slightly smoother. And the best part is, you're never missing out on the detail!
 

Sony MDR MA900

To be completely honest, i didn't like this tube with the MA900's. The already forward mids of the 900's coupled with the T1's boosted lower mids made it sound grainy and dark. Vocals were nice, but they weren't smooth. Instruments, although clear, didn't sound very realistic. I kept feeling that there was something like a barrier between me and the music, something thats stopping the music from sounding even better. I guess this is what people mean when they say "veiled". the highs were also masked and lacked some air.
 

M-Audio Q40: 

Now this is what i call a proper paring. The stock tube's added bass with an already bass-heavy can made some very enjoyable times. The forwardness in the lower mids of the tube were actually something i enjoyed with the Q40's. This setup screams FUN! I even switch to this tube from my 7308 (which is a lot better) when using the Q40's because its extremely enjoyable and fun sounding. 

 

7308 Amperex tube: 

My face when i heard this tube for the first time:
 
 
 
It costs $65, but honestly, this tube is PERFECT. Everything the stock tubes did well, this tube does lot better. And everything the stock tube didn't do well in, this one still does it a lot better. Where do i start? Transparency? Check. Clarity? Double check. Soundstage, realism, and timbre? Check, check, and check. This tube has it all. It really took the T1 on a whole new level for me. The overall sound of this tube is VERY warm, which is why it pairs perfectly with the DT880's. Bass quantity is a bit lower than the stock tube, but the quality of bass really makes a big jump. Extensions is also superb. The mids are the best part of this tube. They're effortless, absolutely astonishing. Silky smooth and even more present than the stock tube, but in a good way. Detailing in the mids is easily picked up as the soundstage is huge. Moving over to the highs, and they're also excellent. Very smooth and not fatiguing in any way. And the soundstage, oh the soundstage. So wide and spacious, almost unreal. Imaging is also equally impressive. I don't think this tube does any wrong.
 

Beyerdynamic DT880:

The Beyers and the 7308 pair so well together its unbelievable. It feels like this tube was made specifically for the DT880's. Everything i said about them with the stock tubes, but now even better. Vocals, instruments are cleared and have a lot more air. The added warmth makes this an absolute pleasure to listen to. Detail is even better than before.
 

Sony MDR MA900

OK. Now we're talking. First thing that jumps out here is the gigantic soundstage. The harshness of the vocals and the veil that was noticeable on the old tube is now gone. Everything basically sounds nicer. Listening to some Oud songs and the sound has left me speechless. This setup is liquid smooth. A very nice pairing for sure. 
 

M-Audio Q40

The sound here is now clearer, and just like with my other cans, vocals are more upfront and timbre has improved. But that doesn't necessarily translate to more fun. See with a bass-heavy headphone like the Q40's, what i need is  bass. A lot of it. the old stock tube had plenty of it. This though, has slightly less. And because the soundstage is wider, i sense that the Q40's are trying too hard to become an open headphone. I liked the stock tube better for this headphone, but that in no way means that is better than the 7308 tube. 
 

Denon C300

I didn't include this IEM on the stock tube impressions because i dont use it a lot with the T1. Hoever after getting this new tube i have found myself using these IEM's more and more. Paired with the 7308 tube, this makes for an excellent rap/Hip-Hop music. Its got plenty of midbass, and thanks to the 7308's forward mids it makes for a great rap/Hip-Hop experience.
 

Review on different tubes (updated 6/9/2015)

1. Electro-Harmonix 6922 (the stock tube): (Around $20)

 
Not a lot of wrong this tube does to be honest. I find it to be a great stock tube and i think Aune made the right choice in picking this as the stock tube. From my findings, this tube slightly V-shaped. Bass extension is very deep, however the bass is loose. This is particularly noticed when you compare it to better tubes. There is also a nice amount of midbass punch. Mids, well, they're interesting. I have found vocals to have a "raw" feeling to them. They just don't sound that smooth or refined. They're slightly behind the bass and treble, but not by much (tiny amount). The highs are slightly etched (especially the very upper regions), i would say that the treble is decent but can somewhat sound splashy and uncontrolled at times. Soundstage is wide, imaging is mediocre. 
Overall a good tube, but nothing really stands out or makes you dance. 
 
2. USSR 6N23P NOS, late 60's or early 70's production. *NOT the Voshkod version* ($8)

 
Very dull and lifeless tube. Bass is soft and lacks extension. Highs are rolled off. The mids, though, are somewhat decent. Female vocals sound nice on this tube. This is also partly due to the fact that it has a small soundstage. This makes for a very intimate sound experience. Detail, clarity, transparency of this tube are weak in my opinion. Overall: Cheap. Decent mids. Everything else is bad. Avoid this tube. 
 
3. Amperex 7308 NOS: ($50-90), I got it for $65.

 
What can i say that hasn't already been said. This is the benchmark tube in my collection, and its also my favorite. There is honestly not a thing this does wrong. I've had it for a year now and i thought that as time goes on im going to notice something that sucks about it, but in all honesty there isn't. Detail, clarity, transparency? Top-notch. The clarity is especially amazing here. Bass goes low. Really low. And it stays tight. Its not the bassiest tube out there but it does pack some nice punch. Mids are astonishing. Ultra-smooth. Hold on, let me say that again. Smooth. Extremely clear with a very slight hint of warmth that makes them that much more musical. Treble is also clean and clear. Nothing rolled off here. Soundstage is also the widest out of my tubes, and imaging is great. I have been listening to Hans Zimmer's "Rush" movie official soundtrack on this tube, coupled with my MA900's which already have a wide soundstage, the experience was sublime. 
Overall: Neutral tube with a slight hint of warmth, and superb sonic abilities. Expensive, but worth it in my opinion. Recommended!
 
4. Amperex 6DJ8 (Or is it?) Small Halo Getter NOS, made in Holland. ($20)
I thought i stumbled upon a gem when i saw a 6DJ8 Amperex for $20, but then i realized this might actually be fake. Firstly, the writing on it actually says "Electron United" in yellow. After reading more and more about tubes, i learned that genuine Amperex tubes have gold pins, a circle in the middle of the pins, and 4 lines that start on the top of the tube. This particular tube does not have the circle, and it doesn't have gold pins. Most of you guys here are more knowledgeable at identifying tubes, so please tell me what exactly this tube is.

 
Anyway, onto the sound: This thing is MUSICAL. Very, very warm tube. The bass is softer than what i would prefer and the subbass is not as present, but nevertheless it has good quality bass. Mids are very musical and warm. Guitars and stringed instruments sound wonderful on this tube. The mids are also very slightly forward, but they're extremely smooth and never sound "raw" like in the stock tube for example. Treble takes a step back here. This definitely has the most subdued highs of all my tubes. But i like that actually. The soundstage here is almost as wide as the 7308, but not quite. Imaging is only decent. Technical abilities such as clarity, detail and transparency are good, but they're not as good as the 7308 for example. Still close to be honest. Again, this is an extremely musical tube. You plug it in and you simply won't care if its not technically superior to your other tubes. This is the kind of tube that you would not mind listening to for the entire day. Its impossible to hate this tube. 
Overall: Warm and musical. Well worth the price i payed for. Recommended!
 
5. Siemens ECC88 NOS ($23) (thanks @mikoss for recommending this tube!)

 
I was looking for a tube that does electronic music well and ended up getting this. So, is it any good? Yes. Absolutely. First thing i want to mention is the level of detail this thing has. I was shocked. This thing costs as much as makes no difference half the price of my Amperex 7308 and has the same amount of detail. And the 7308 is already hyper-detailed to my ears. Both those tubes are the most detailed in my collection. This tube is fun! The bass extension is deep and subbass has got a lot of presence. Bass quality is very good, bass stays tight and controlled. Maybe there's a tiny, and i mean tiny bit of looseness but that may be my imagination. This tube had the impact i was searching for in the bass. The mids are withdrawn and sound a bit thin compared to say the 6dj8 Amperex. However, they are clear and detailed. The highs have slightly more presence than neutral, but the treble is not that fatiguing. Unlike the stock tube, the treble here (although etched) is clean and not splashy. Soundstage is only decent, however the imaging is extremely good. This tube has the best imaging in my collection. Definitely a keeper. 
Overall: Very fun tube. Boosted bass and highs, excels with electronic. Recommended!
 
6. GE Smokie 6DJ8 NOS ($18)

First of all, can i say this tube looks like nobody's business when plugged in to the T1. It honestly looks menacing and badass. I've never enjoyed looking at a tube this much before. 
In terms of sound, this is definitely one of the budget kings. Has a very enjoyable and fun sound. This thing has strong midbass. Probably the most powerful midbass of all my tubes. Subbass extension is also good. Mids are not forward nor recessed (or at least to my ears) they are right where they should be. The mids are meaty and thicker in comparison to they Siemens. Actually the sound as a whole feels more meaty and authoritative. The highs are also very nice. They are slightly laid back (very slightly) which makes them work for brighter headphones. This tube has great clarity and transparency for its price. 
Overall: A budget king. Bassy without making the rest of the frequency suffer. Recommended!
 
 
 

Modding

Many users have modded their units with new capacitors, which they say improve the amp section of the T1. If you go to the T1's appreciation thread you will notice many different mods and experiments you could try. A mod i have done is the color LED mod which makes the tube glow in a particular color. You won't see this in the photos i have taken because the mod was not done at the time of taking the photos. 
 

The Bad Stuff

Of course, you can't have it all. So here's some things i dislike about the T1. Firstly, the unit gets physically hot, and this seems to be a problem with a lot of T1 users. However, this should not be a a major drawback. Another issue is the T1's quality control issues, especially with their later batches. Luckily i bought my T1 a year ago and its bulletproof. But There have been many, and i mean many, issues with people on the T1's thread lately. And then there's the biggest problem of them all:
 

Bad customer service (My story with Aune)

About a year ago when i first got my T1, i had a problem with the transformer (power brick). As soon as i plugged it in, it blew up and made a bad smell. From then on i couldn't use my T1 for a month. During this month i kept emailing Aune for them to send me a replacement transformer. They never replied. I emailed them about 5 to 6 times, but i never got any message back. I even made another email because i thought that my messages weren't being sent. Until one day, i had it. Its been nearly 6 weeks and the T1's is just sitting there collecting dust, no use for it whatsoever. I emailed them, but this time i was really angry about it. I told them that i would never recommend an Aune product to anyone ever. And that they have been a big disappointment. 3 hours later, i got a reply. But even then, they said that i would have to pay $10 for the transformer, and that they cant give it to me for free. I purchased two for ($20). 
 
 

Conclusion: 

Pros:

Magnificent sound, tube rolling, superb build quality, versatility, value, and a powerful amp.
 

Cons: 

Unit gets hot, Aune customer service, some QC issues with later batches.
 
All in all, i highly recommend this tube and i can tolerate Aune's customer service for the marvelous sound this unit produces.
 

Overall: 9/10

PS: I am open to criticism, if you have tips for future reviews please write them down below. 

This little DAC really surprised me with its sound quality. I have an Aune T1, and this is about 85-90% as good for a third of the price! 
Recommended to anyone just starting this hobby and is looking for better sound than his computer's onboard soundcard. Some improvements i noticed over my laptop's soundcard:
-Tighter bass
-More forward mids
-treble a bit more sparkly
-HUGE uprgarde in terms of imaging and soundstage
etc
 
Whenever im not using the Aune t1, this is plugged in. My only complaint is that it feels a bit cheap in the hand, but thats because it is. You can get it for under $40. 

I bought these cans 2 years ago and sold them to get the ATH-M50, which then lead me into the audio world.

Overall these are good portable headphones with great build quality. The sound, however, is where these are suffer.

I liked the idea of picking a custom headband/wires/driver to match your style.

The overall sound presentation is very congested and muffled. There is no clarity or detail. The bass, though, is fairly good. Plenty of mid bass and subbass for all the bass-lovers. The midrange is recessed, and so are the highs.

Get these if sound is your least priority.

full and detailed review here: 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/714564/denon-ah-c300-iem-review

Full review here: 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/705731/m-audio-q40-full-review-ath-m50-comparison

Full review here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/686083/sony-mdr-ma900-full-review-comparison-with-dt880

TL;DR:
If you're looking for a good portable with excellent sound, go buy these now. I said now. Why are you still reading this? I said go buy it!
 
I would like to start by saying that those can usually be found between $30-$70.
 
I got mine for $40 and payed $15 for shipping. And trust me when i say, this is one of the best $55 i have spent on audio equipment. 
 
Ever since i got these, i never left the house without them. Ever. They are very convenient and portable. I take them with me to the gym or occasionally for jogging, and they do a perfect job of staying on my head without falling off. 
 

Just some headphone photography before i begin 
 
Build Quality: 
Outstanding for the price. If you held it in your hands you wouldn't say its a $50 headphone. Even though they are mostly made of plastic, I am sure they can take a beating. As i said previously, they fold up and are easy to store anywhere. They can sometimes even fit my pocket.
 
 

 
If they can fit in my hands, they can probably fit in yours too because my hands are not that big anyway. 
 
Comfort: 
The first couple of hours i tried the S500's, they were very uncomfortable to the point that i had to take them off every 20-30 minutes. That being said, they do get more comfortable the more you wear them. They have been with me for a 2 weeks now and they only get uncomfortable after say 1-2 hours of use. My ears are probably small/average size, and they are fairly comfortable to me. Clamping pressure is also not that bad. I actually wish they could clamp a little more so that i can move my head up and forth with more freedom. 
 
Easily Driven: 
Those are only 32ohms and have a sensitivity of 106/1mW. Straight out of my phone and tablet, the volume is usually between %40-%50. On my laptop, its approximately on %20. Yes, %20 is loud enough for me. Even %40 on my laptop would deafen me. To conclude, I'd say amping is very unnecessary, unless you want to go REALLY loud. Personally, I still use my FiiO E11 with them simply because i can boost the bass for that extra oomph whenever i want. 
 
 
Sound: 
Don't let the low price tag fool you. I consider the sound quality of these on par with my ATH-M50's if not better. Overall these have a fun sound signature with emphasis on the bass. Some will say the treble is recessed but i say its just smooth and non-fatiguing. 
 
Detail: 
Astonishing. The detail on these is on-par with my M50's, sometimes even better! All that without being assaulted by harsh/strident treble. Micro-details are easily heard and you wouldn't believe this is from a $50 headphone. 
 
Bass: 
For all you bass lovers out there like me, this can is perfect for you. The bass extends really deep and sub-bass capabilities are excellent. Out of the box, you will notice that the bass is boomy and uncontrolled. Give it some time. After a week or so, the bass gets much more controlled and becomes more well-defined. Is it enough bass for a basshead? No. I am a mini-basshead myself and at times i usually use the bass boost on my E11. I don't get the talk about the crazy amounts of bass these have. The bass is definitely not overbearing to the point of giving you a headache and its not lacking either. I find it perfect for the genres i listen to (drum and bass, vocal trance, hardstyle). 
 
Midrange: 
Simply put, the midrange is very nice. A little recessed if you are coming from a midrange-forward can. But for $50, can't complain. 
 
Treble: 
Here is where things get messy for some. This can has been accused of being an overly dark, congested sounding headphone. I strongly disagree. I think the treble is wonderful and extends all the way up there without being fatiguing nor harsh. Not a hint of sibilance here. The treble is very smooth and unfatiguing. I can listen to this can all day without my ears getting tired.
 
Highly recommended!! Go get these now!!

Compared to the ATH-AD700, these are a joke. Don't get me wrong, these aren't that bad. But you can find better gaming headphones for 100 bucks. The bass is there, but its barely there (cant hear it nor feel it). I don't listen at high volumes but there's a lot of distortion when you crank the volume up. The surround sound is decent, but not the best. Although i dont care much about stuff like this, but the build quality is absolutely terrible. It feels like im holding a 10 dollar headphone. 
 
What i like about it is that it is comfortable and the ear cups never get warm after long periods of time.