Aune Yuki SE: Portable DAC that doubles as a headphone amplifier

The Yuki SE stands out from typical portable headphone amplifiers because, instead of having a fixed gain chip like most, it features a 16-transistor gain stage divided across 4...

Aune Yuki SE
Aune Yuki SE

Aune Yuki SE is a compact digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that also functions as a headphone amplifier, featuring a discrete gain stage. It utilizes the ES9280AC Pro chip, enabling signal conversion up to PCM 32-bit 765 kHz and DSD512. The device incorporates 16 transistors across four channels, providing an output power of 90 mW at 30 Ω, all while ensuring remarkably low noise levels and minimal harmonic distortion.

Aune Yuki SE

Unlike most portable headphone amplifiers, which use integrated designs where the gain chip is fixed, the Yuki SE uses a 16-transistor gain stage split between 4 channels, giving the Aune much more freedom to fine-tune the final sound.

Aune Yuki SE

The Yuki SE uses a special dual-layer printed circuit board that separates the digital input stage from the analog amplifier stage. This attention to detail allows the Yuki SE to achieve a noise level of only 2.9 µV and a harmonic distortion level of 0.00050%.

Aune Yuki SE

Moreover, in addition to the amplifier stage, the other components included in the Yuki SE are not inferior to it in quality. The digital/analog conversion stage is based on the ES9280AC Pro chip, which allows it to process signals up to PCM 32bit 768kHz and DSD512. In addition, to ensure optimal performance, the Yuki SE is equipped with an internal femtosecond oscillator based on two AS318 low-jitter crystal oscillators. Finally, the device’s power supply is based on multiple DC signal control, including

Aune Yuki SE

Aune Yuki SE Features:

  • Product Type: Portable DAC/Headphone Amplifier
  • DAC chip: ES9280AC Pro
  • Gain: 16x transistors
  • Input: USB-C
  • Outputs: 1x 3.5mm single-ended jack/1x 4.4mm balanced jack
  • Supported sampling rates: PCM up to 32 bit 768 kHz/Native DSD up to DSD512 Single-ended Jack 3.5MM HEADPHONE OUTPUT Output level: 2Vrms
  • Noise threshold: 2.9 µV
  • Total Harmonic Distortion and Noise (THD+N): 0.00050%
  • Output Power: 90mW @ 30Ω BALANCED JACK 4.4MM HEADPHONE OUTPUT Output Level: 4Vrms
  • Noise threshold: 3.9 µV
  • Total Harmonic Distortion and Noise (THD+N): 0.00060%
  • Output power: 160 mW @ 30 Ω
  • Dimensions: 24 x 53.5 x 13mm
  • Color: purple