REVIEW

Aune Audio M1P

Note that, as of Jan-26-2024, the latest firmware update is unreliable to the point of units not powering on.

A pure audio player. This is what Aune Audio aims for with their M1P. With a marketing reminiscent of the late 1990s, early 2000s Hi-Fi and CD players, how does the M1P fares against the competition, including a top-tier audio player from Sony?

The object — With a form factor similar yet thinner than the Sony NW-ZX300 and 507, the M1P is pretty much perfect and will fit your hand like a glove. Its leather case will help those who find it a tad too small/slippery.

The all black, lightweight, aluminium construction is good and the USB-C, 3.5, 2.5 and 4.4mm connectors are decent. The wheel, which is one only in shape, has nicely machined grooves reminiscent of volume knobs found on Hi-Fi equipments.

Functionalities & UI — The button layout is well done though some will take a few tries to get used to.

The UI is straightforward and does the job. There’s some surprising satisfaction at browsing through one’s music collection without artwork. As one of those who need to ‘connect’ with their player, the M1P very much delivers on that front although in an unusual way for this day and age — in that regard it fulfils the job of a pure audio player particularly well.

The main issue the M1P faces is the fact that one cannot use the USB cable to transfer music onto its micro SD card. One will have to remove the card, load the songs onto it and put it back in the player. To make matters worse, the card slot can be finicky and, if one uses the case, it has to be removed to access the card — someone clearly didn’t think things through here.

Moreover, the format the player use will require you to rename some of the file names in your music collection if you, like me, buy your music which often comes with an extensive file naming convention. Last but not least, the battery life is as advertised although, when not in use, depletes quickly after 2-3 days.

Sound — The M1P sounds natural in all positive ways — and does so whether one uses the single-ended or balanced outputs which Aune has implemented equally well, contrary to other manufacturers (staring at you A&K and Sony).

Expecting a cold, neutral, reference sound, my ears were welcomed by a naturally engaging and musical sound which is neither cold, nor warm, nor lacking in, well, anything really.

In terms of filters, I used the player’s DAC default filter listed by ESS for their ES9038Q2M: Adodizing, Fast Roll-Off, Linear Phase Filter (see post #158 for more) — which is not the M1P’s default filter.

Comparison — Albeit we’re talking about two very different devices from a convenience, form-factor, weight and price standpoint; the Aune M1P competes with the Sony NW-WM1AM2 from a pure sound standpoint — which speaks volumes.

Via the Grado SR325x, single-ended — The M1P has slightly more depths, details and better dynamics all the while remaining an extremely analog, natural, listen.
The Sony has a slightly bigger soundstage and more low-end body as well as a slightly more analogue/realistic decay. It is more ‘delicate’ on some tracks which will make it sound more analog/realistic than the Aune yet this can similarity make it sound a tad too laid back on some other tracks. ‘Minute’ differences here.

Via the Fir VxV, balanced — Balanced is clearly a much better implemented output than single-ended on the WM1AM2 and Aune seems to have avoided the A&K / Sony route and properly implemented both single-ended and balanced outputs.
Balanced, the Sony edges the Aune with better depths, details and dynamics, all the while maintaining composure and being less forward than the Aune. The WM1AM2 sound now also breathes more and feels less focused than the M1P in comparison. Again, ‘minute’ differences here.

Via the Nightjar Acoustics Singularity, balanced (28-01-2024 edit) — Significant difference were noted in favour of the WM1AM2 paired with the Nightjar Acoustics Singularity where more details, space and an overall analog sound could be heard. The M1p still held its own yet, contrary to the aforementioned pairing, here the differences were obvious.

Files used: CD-quality FLAC bought from Qobuz

Conclusion — If one is willing to go through the workflow of loading songs on a micro SD card and renaming a few files along the way and doesn’t need to do this every day/too often; the Aune M1P is an absolute no brainer for anyone after top-tier sound for an unmatched price.

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