Evaluate the Aune M1S and xDuoo X10

amazon evaluate the Aune M1S and xDuoo X10 reviews Open box and design

The Aune M1S uses the ESS9018K2M DAC chip, the mobile version of the famous DAC chip from ESS Technology. This chip gives M1S maximum 32bit / 384kHz decode capability as well as DSD64 and DSD128. The xDuoo X10 also uses one of the most popular DAC chips today, the AKM4490, which decodes up to 24bit / 192kHz with DSD64 and DSD128.

Two simple boxed music players are available to save money to consumers. The M1s are housed in only a simple black paper box, as is traditional in the company. Inside the box of the M1s, the only accessory is a microUSB charging / data cable. With the xDuoo X10, the accessory is fuller and richer, consisting of two stickers, a microUSB, a mini optical cable and an IC 3.5 mm cable.

Unfortunately, Aune’s accessories are always so simple, so at least it should be accompanied by a sticker.

In terms of design, the appearance of the M1S makes a good impression whether on the photo or when hand held. The machine has a shell made of cast aluminum monolith. This aluminum is very different from the predecessor of the Aune M2. Fineness of the material as well as the coating is better, giving a high-grade feel. As for the Xduoo X10, when looking at the company’s advertising graphics, I think that this DAP pattern is too bad, but when hand-held, the opposite is the design personality.

Both machines give battery life of about 10 hours, according to the manufacturer’s specifications. This is a popular battery life for high quality players.

The xDuoo X10 has 2 memory card slots that support each 128GB card. So, in total you can expand the maximum capacity of 256GB to store high quality music that is very heavy. The Aune M1S only supports a maximum of 128GB memory card slot. Both machines have no internal memory. Experience shows that the two machines have a fast read and update list of music, not slow and lag as some old music player or model as Fiio X1 Gen 2 recently.

User interface and user experience

The XDuoo X10 is equipped with a rounded circular wheel. The feeling of rotation is sure, accurate and will probably have good durability. The X10’s buttons are full, easy operation.

The XDuoo X10 is equipped with a 2-inch color display, while the Aune M1S features a 2.4-inch monochrome display. The X10’s interface is also detailed, full-featured and intuitive. The X10 allows you to browse music by tag, can display cover songs, full volume lock mode, … especially DSD gain mode to increase the volume of the DSD tracks. This feature is very useful because DSD tracks usually have a smaller volume than regular music, and when you load a mixed playlist, you will get a smaller size.

Meanwhile, Aune M1s still has a simple interface like Aune M2 but improved a bit better, no more features, just browse files and folders can not read music tag. However, the use of M1S is much easier and simpler than the Aune M2.

The two machines are equipped with line out and 2 gain levels. The M1S uses the same line out port and headphone port, so be careful not to plug the headset in the line out mode because the volume level is very high. The M1S takes advantage of the 2.5mm Balance headset, although it’s only mid-range, but comes with a standard balance as high end models. Xduoo X10 has an extra optical output port so you can use it with DAC or audio.

where can you get a Aune M1S online

Aune M1S High Resolution Music Player 32BIT/384K DSD 128 Balanced Portable Loseless Hifi DSD DAP Music Player MP3: Buy it now

AUNE M1S 32BIT/384KHZ DSD128 3.5MM/2.5MM BALANCED HIFI AUDIOPHILE LOSSLESS PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYER: Buy it now

Aune “M1s” 32bit DSD Balanced (2.5mm jack) Portable Music Player【Japan Domestic genuine products】: Buy it now

Sound quality

I using the 64 Audio A6, Oriveti Basic and Oriveti New Primacy as headphones reference. The source of the music used is lossless music and DSD for testing.

First of all, the Aune M1S has three levels of gain (low, mid, high), but at all three levels of gain, there is no sound level like the Xduoo X10. In general, the Aune M1S does not have the same amp like the predecessor of the Aune M2, but it will still be suitable for most in-ear or earbuds. The amp power of the M1S can also improve a bit when using 2.5mm (180mW versus 100mW) port balance.

Two machines have clean background sound. Listening to low-sensitivity in-ear earphones as mentioned above, they do not hear noise or hiss in the background. This is a noteworthy point for those of you using in-ear, especially when compared to Aune M2, the M1S has a much cleaner background.

First, I compare these two machines when using the same 3.5mm single end port. In general, M1S or X10 are fairly neutral tone. However, the X10 tends to be a bit brighter. Easily recognized through the Fire Your Gun (AC / DC) rock music. The cymbal sounds brighter, sharper. For the overall details in this section, both machines are almost equal. Both of them have pretty good acoustics.

On the mid range, the M1S has a slightly mid-range than the mid-range X10. On the bass strips, the X10 also offers less bass strings, though neither of the two is significantly lacking in bass. where can you get a xDuoo X10 online

XDUOO X10 Hi-Fi Loseless HD Format Ultra-low Distortion Support DSD 24Bit/192K Digital Music MP3 Player – Lightwish: Buy it now

Xduoo X10 HIFI DSD Lossless Music MP3 Player: Buy it now

XDUOO X10 Hi-Fi Loseless HD Format Ultra-low Distortion Support DSD 24Bit/192K Digital Music MP3 Player with Case: Buy it now

In general, when using the same 3.5mm port, the two machines have almost the same sound quality despite the two different audio trends.

The game was overturned when the Aune M1S tester with the 2.5mm Balance port was paired with the OCC Satin Audio Sapphire. If with some other models of music player, using Balance output may not be very different (this depends on the design of each machine), with M1S, 2.5mm audio output is very different.

M1S ‘s sound is still the same trend, but is raised to a different level. Most noticeable is that the sound field is widened, louder, and the sound of the instrument separates the layer better. M1S bass is also deep and compact. The detail increases considerably, especially in the treb strip. At the same time, the pull of the M1S also increased slightly due to the properties of Balance port, but not too much, to pull heavy fullsize ears we still need the power source stronger.

With the M1S on the 2.5mm port, the sound of the Aune M1S clearly outperformed the Xduoo X10. And even when compared in the price range of $250 at the present time, it is difficult to have music player that sound better than the Aune M1S. The M1S is really a very worthwhile buy at $250. if all you care about is sound. Although the X10 is inferior to the M1S at the 2.5mm port, the X10 has a better sound quality than the common.