Aune N5: accessible and refined

What is Aune N5

The N series from Aune was introduced very recently and can be considered one of the most affordable in the catalog and market, without sacrificing many of the technologies and audiophile attention that characterize the brand's products.

Aune N5 in particular is proposed as an accessible solution for those who want a network player, DAC, and streaming in a single device at an absolutely astonishing price.

The project is based on an architecture aimed at maximum quality, where every element has been selected with the goal of optimizing signal processing and minimizing interference, placing sound quality at the center of the scene.

N5 is distinguished by a compact container with futuristic shapes, which give it solidity and robustness. Dominating the front panel is the approximately 3” display where you can see the track playing, the volume level, and the main functions included.

On the left, a multifunction knob allows you to adjust the volume or navigate through the menus. A compact yet functional IR remote control is provided, although all operations can be performed via the iEAST app, available for both iOS and Android.

The hardware platform on which N5 is based is complex and well-balanced, combining an ESS ES9039Q2M D/A converter with an NXP Cortex-M7 processor, an Intel FPGA, and a Qualcomm QCC5125 Bluetooth chip, in short: the best available today. This structure allows for advanced management of digital streams, supported by the use of FIFO technology (First In First Out) and a dual internal PLL clock, solutions adopted to improve jitter control and ensure greater temporal stability of the signal.

The goal is to preserve data integrity throughout the entire processing chain, avoiding compromises that could affect the final output.

What are the performances?

N5 EVO, despite the price, is positioned in the high-end market. It is capable of handling PCM signals up to 32 bit and 768 kHz and DSD streams up to DSD512, allowing for the playback of today's available high-resolution audio formats without limitations.

These capabilities are complemented by support for Bluetooth aptX HD and LDAC codecs, enabling uncompromised wireless streaming.

N5 EVO is compatible with AirPlay 2, Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, Qobuz, and Amazon Music, this flexibility makes it a complete digital hub, capable of transforming a traditional hi-fi system into a connected system updated to contemporary listening needs, without sacrificing quality.

From a connectivity standpoint, N5, in addition to the radio part, and therefore WiFi and BT, offers optical outputs, coaxial, two USB for memory units, I2S on HDMI, and audio outputs both RCA and XLR, making it compatible with any amplification system, given the level of respectively 2.2V RMS for RCA and 4.4V for XLR.

N5 EVO also offers the possibility to connect an external clock via rear BNC, a clock that can be sourced from the same N series of the manufacturer, namely Aune N1C EVO with precision less than ±0.02 ppm.

Who is Aune Audio?

AUNE is an oriental manufacturer that has progressively established itself in the hi-fi and personal audio landscape thanks to a research-oriented approach. The brand was born in the mid-2000s, initially as an entity focused on the development of digital circuits and D/A converters, then expanding the catalog to include solid-state and hybrid amplifiers, balanced solutions, DACs with increasingly sophisticated architectures, and later, also planar magnetic headphones.

The X, S series, the newly born N, and the planar line, AUNE has increasingly targeted a more mature and aware audiophile audience, without abandoning the entry-level segment that decreed its success.

Technical features

• Inputs: WiFi 2.4G, BT 5.1, 2X USB Disc, Word Clock BNC 50Ω
• Outputs: 1X XLR, 1X RCA, 1X I2S, 1 coax, 1 opt
• Sample rate: up to 32/768, DSD512
• BT Codec: aptx.HD, LDAC
• Audio formats: DSD, APE, FLAC, WAV, MP3/WMA/AAC, ALAC/AIFF/CUE
• THD+N distortion: -141.6dB
• Jitter: 171.5ps
• Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz (+/-0.5dB)
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 109dB
• RCA/XLR output levels: 2.2/4.4 Vrms
• Power supply: 9V DC
• Dimensions: 160X208X63
• Weight: 1.8 kg

Package contents: 2 antennas, 1 remote control, 1 power supply.

Price: 429 euros

To buy N5 click here