Hey mates! Forgot to mention the only drawback I have experienced with this unit. If you'll be using (1) ultra-sensitive IEMs with it or (2) in a stereo rig as a preamp, then the SPL difference from 0 to 1 volume position is at least 10 to 15 dB, but the volume no longer goes up as drastically afterward. It was more annoying in a stereo setup, as sometimes I wanted to have the volume between 0 and 1 position, lowering the volume with my DAC instead (not optimal). Secondly, unintentionally I made a mistake in the video, expressing that it works in either Class-AB (50mA) or Class-A (100mA) - sorry about that. The thing is, it Always works in Class-A, but it works in a deeper Class-A operation when 100mW of quiescent current are delivered to the final transistors. This slight mistake however, doesn't change a single word from my sound performance description. I salute you all!

Wow! I have to say, this is the most definitive out-tro Sandu has created to date!! As I can hear audiophile's keyboards working hard to place just one last order to reach audio nirvana!!

Hi Sandu! Finally is out, I have been waiting for this one and it as I thought we have a standout winner with S17 Pro! Good weekend everyone!

Beware that the volume control is wacky to say the least ! Below vol 55 it takes 4 steps of the control to make any change (for example 48,49,50 & 51 or 52,53,54 & 55 are the same level). Each volume change (4 steps total) is a 2dB step. Above 55 or from 55 to 56 there is a whopping 6 dB step and then from 56 to max, one volume change per step but back to 2dB steps. In my case I just leave the vol at 50 and adjust the output of the source up/down as needed. If your source is fixed this volume control will NOT work so BEWARE !!!

This was a perfect review! I just upgraded to a Susvara and had no idea what budget options I had available to me. I am so glad I found your video, I purchased my s17 today and can’t wait to hear it hopefully this weekend! The best amplifier I have experienced prior to this was the topping A90 so I’m very excited to hear the difference! Thank you very much!

Thank you very much for this review! Have not heard of it yet, but now I know it will be my next buy!

I expected this release for a long time after the impressive S7 Pro. That one also had control and alive dynamics, but with less power and musicality. Glad to find out they didn't rushed the S17Pro and took their time to create a masterpiece under 1000. This shows dedication, commitment and passion. Design kept beautifully simple... BRAVO! Aaaaand... SUBSCRIBE!

Yes! Had a s7 pro a while back, that was a little disappointing. Glad that aune is still in game

Thanks for another great review, Sandu. I was already leaning towards buying this amp and am now pretty certain, though I have to wait about a month for funds 😛. BTW, I realize that it's hard to respond to all the requests for comparisons that have already been made here, and you may not even be familiar with some of the gear mentioned. But I hope you can respond to some of them very briefly, especially how the Aune stacks up to the Class A Burson Soloist 3X which is significantly more expensive than the S17 Pro, but not much over the 1K USD/euro level (well, until you add the stand and supercharger); I know you reviewed it very favorably a couple of years ago.

Fan-f*cking-tastic. This should really help tame some of the bright treble -focused planer headphones calm down.

I was absolutely smitten when I heard this wee thing, I wasn't that familiar about aune so I had Topping but that has now gone as I went for the S9c for convenience, The S17 was better, it was paired with the S9c as the DAC section, but with some thought and budget limitations I went with the S9c but may add this later, this review confirms what I thought.

What is your recommendation for a dac with it?

How does it compares against Violectric V222 (which is a little above 1000€)?

GM☕️from Toronto. I just picked up the Bryston BHA-1 headphone/ Preamplifier for my 60th birthday…and it’s changed how I actually relate to my music . A top tier amplifier is not to be underestimated in what it can do . ….Now, I’m looking for a similar quality DAC upgrade ..for my next birthday 🤣…and the AUNE’s look interesting. Great video .👍👍

Hi, on your webpage you’ve mentioned that u r working on something special with aune. Does it include a dac? Thank you in advance, I appreciate all the hard work you put in🙏

Thanks Much!

I've downsized and only left with Soloist 3XP (with the vivid v6 and super charger upgrade). How does it compare?

Well, that was a very thought provoking video, Sandu! Which leads me to ask you your opinion on something I can only guess at. None of my headphone gear will ever reach hi-end levels, and that's just fine by me. But I also don't want to simply throw my limited $$$ at a piece of gear which I will never be able to truly appreciate. That being said, if you were in my position, would my money be better spent on the Aune S9c all-in-one unit? Or do you believe I'd get to appreciate what the S17 PRO is capable of producing once it's matched up with a price appropriate dac? Once again, thanks for all the effort you put into your reviews!!

Hello Sandu, Incredible review!!! Extremely insightful as usual..😂 Would you put this S17 in the same category as a Ferrum Oor standalone (no Hypsos)?? Thisxwould be for a Susvara and possible Modhouse Tungsten application.

Hi, Sandu. Thx for sharing. Will it retain its sound signature when using as a pre in a stereo system?

Thanks for taking the time to review this product, i just received mine, i would like to use it as a preamplifier, do you know the setting for this, thanks.

Powerful, musical, dynamic, 'tubey'...made you want to keep listening to more and more music. Sounds very similar to the Xduoo TA-20 Plus you reviewed. Both balanced, both Class A. How close are they to each other would you say?

so what dac to pair with it? the s9c seems redundant since you pay "double" for its headphone section.

Hey Sandu, do you mind saying a bit about how these compare to the flux lab offerings? Thanks 😊

Thanks for the review. Does the S17 Pro have a fixed volume line out setting for feeding a volume controled integrated amp?

Hi Sandu (or anyone else), would you recommend the S17 if the sole genre I listen to is rock? Current setup: Gustard A26, Shure Aonic 50 cans (can’t quit these), and also HQplayer. I’m curious if the layering and dynamics would apply to noisy music.

Would love a review of the geshelli labs j2 4499ex from you❤‼️

Nice job thanks much

Hi Sandu, Nice review ! So this S17 Pro wins easily vs Chord Mojo 2?

Is The Aune S17 Pro an upgrade to the SMSL SP400? Or rather a sidegrade with a slightly warmer and more powerful sound presentation?

산두야 좋은 리뷰 고맙다.

Wanted to subscribe all over again

im seriously trying to buy the S17 pro ive probably watched thsis review 15 times lmao just looking for any hint to what i should do..so im mix engineer but i believe HIFI products are starting to be top tier options for critical listening. i mix only with Cans (audeze lcdx 2021 mainly) Thing is I want a home system and a to go system note ive have taken chord products out of this equation because the usb micro and the new usbc port on the mojo and or hugo 2 (micro usb) are not rugged enough I broke both the usb ports on my original mojo and mojo 2 (studio life is rough lol) i was thinking of the impressive fiio Q7 for mobile work! and the Aune S9c and S17pro for studio work! BUT i keep hearing that the Q7 can compete or even beat out with such a desktop stack like Aune has is this true? cause if so i would really only need the q7? i find this hard to believe! i have no way to test any of thesei truly rely on reviewers like yourself and constant research to make decisions! thanks for the hard work on the review!

06:45 yeah, I think you should change to a more linear and neutral amp and dac setup when you edit the audio for your videos, you voice is coming a little bit harsher and unnaturally screechy tbh. Anyways, great video, I was looking up for when you release thee review of this amp to see if I buy it, already saw Zeus review but he can be a little bit hit or miss in his recommendations in my experience, that's why I trust your opinion a little bit more.

How does compare to the Ferrum OOR?

Looking for a comparaison with trafomatic head 2 Please.

If it is the same footprint, can you put this on top of a Dac or a Dac on top of this? Or does it get too warm to stack them.

I bought aune 17 pro . There are problems with the volume control. Sometimes, when the volume is increased, the volume level decreases instead of increasing. Is this a warranty case?

Hi, Sandu! Thanks for your really informative and detailed reviews! I wonder if you could help me in decision-making. I have just obtained two headphones: HiFiMAN HE6SE v2 and SENNHEISER HD 6XX. Now looking for appropriate HP amp(s) for them. I’m considering Aune S17 Pro or (and) xDuoo TA-20 Plus (though there are few reviews of it yet) Maybe I could buy both of them(for planar and dynamic HP respectively) Maybe you have other suggestions. At the moment I have “outdated “ Yulong Audio SABRE DA8 II and decided to go separately (DAC and HP amp) Would appreciate your advice! Regards,Alex.

What are you thinking about this plus the Gustard R26?

Im wondering how this compares to my FluxLab FA-12 fully balanced amp. You have reviewed FluxLab FA-10 once time, can you say something about differences between those two or its too far in time?

How would s17 compare to mojo 2?

Hi Sandu, hi guys :) Does anyone know what’s the gain (High, BAL mode) of this amp in dB? Sometimes amp specs list big nominal output power figures but the gain doesn’t allow to take advantage of that. Thanks!

Is your evaluation the same when using the unit as a preamp alone?

Any equivalent exceptional pure dacs to pair with it in same price to performance ratio?

have u tryed matrix mini-i pro 4 ?

hi, may it be a good pairing with the Topping D70S? thx

Do you think it pair it well with the S9c and he1000se?

Gold award?

Want

What was the song on that intro? I was not expecting it to go so hard.

How are they compared to the gsx mini ? Thanks

What dac would you recommend with this one?

How does this amplifier compare to the S9C?

Is there a chance you might review the S10N or S10 Pro?

Man, how do the focal clear og sound on this? Ive been wanting to go either tube hybrid or full tube that supports low impedence. Pathos Aurium for hybrid or Fezz Audio Omega Lupi Evo - I wonder if this provides a massive improvement for a focal clear on a Burson Playmate 2.

great review as usual. such a shame that this amp has so many reported issues (on head-fi), main one being the temperature. its put me off buying at the moment. maybe Aune will get this sorted? it remains on my shortlist for now. would like to see reviews of Violectric V222 and the Flux Mentor

How is the synergy with the HD800S and the S17 ?

Has this not been superseded by the S9c Reference?

No reviewers or celebrities in headfi have decent gears to drive susvara, X9000 in a way to compare with the HE-1. How could you compare using entry mid range cabling, power, source, and mostly importantly cheap amp configuration to serve Sus to compare with much more costly HE-1. No comparabilties with that lame amps, and chains.

🔥🤜🤛

♥

Great headamp

I'm testing this amplifier right now. Dynamics 0, flat as a table sound, plus three spaces for balance. I do not recommend this amplifier. Try listening to Heed Canapm 2 and everything will become clear... Ridiculously weak amplifier.

Hey Sandu, sorry to ask this 2 months later but I was wondering if you would suggest this if my primary use case in IEMs? Most of the headphones I have are easy to drive but I do have some pretty sensitive IEMs. I'd hope not to need to use a DAC to lower the volume.