{"product_id":"aune-audio-a17-headphone-amplifier","title":"Aune Audio A17 Headphone Amplifier","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Aune A17 is the flagship of Aune's amplifier line: a fully discrete, fully balanced Class A headphone amplifier that delivers up to 11,500mW into 32 ohms. Aune's own tagline for it is two words, \"drives anything,\" and the engineering underneath is what makes that a statement of fact rather than marketing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe A17 is built for the listener whose headphone collection has outgrown polite amplification: inefficient planar magnetics, 600 ohm dynamics, and everything between. It is a pure analog design with no DAC inside, taking RCA or balanced XLR from your source and anchoring both a headphone system and, through its preamp outputs, the speakers next to it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eClass A Power That Holds Nothing Back\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe output stage runs three pairs of power transistors in parallel per channel, which lowers output impedance to 1 ohm, sharpens transient response, and keeps a firm grip on difficult loads. At maximum gain the balanced output delivers 11,500mW into 32 ohms and 1,260mW into 300 ohms, with usable power all the way to 640mW into 600 ohms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNumbers like that put the hardest headphones in the store within reach: a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hifiman-susvara-flagship-headphones\" title=\"Hifiman Susvara Flagship Planar Magnetic Headphones | Headphones.com\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eHIFIMAN Susvara\u003c\/a\u003e gets the current it starves for elsewhere, and a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/sennheiser-hd-800-s-dynamic-headphones\" title=\"Sennheiser HD 800S Flagship Over-Ear Dynamic Headphones | Headphones.com\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSennheiser HD 800 S\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/sennheiser-hd-800-s-dynamic-headphones\" title=\"Sennheiser HD 800 S Headphones\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e runs on a fraction of what is available. Check any headphone against these tables with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/headphones-power-calculator\" title=\"Headphones.com's Headphone Power Calculator for calculating your exact needs for your headphones\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eheadphone power calculator\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/headphones-power-calculator\" title=\"Headphone power calculator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA Power Supply Split Like a Loudspeaker Amplifier\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClass A amplification turns supply voltage into dynamic range, and into heat. The A17 resolves that tension with a split architecture: the pre-amplification stage runs on higher voltage rails at plus and minus 20V for headroom and stage width, while the output stage runs at plus and minus 15V to keep heat in check without giving up drive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 100 watt toroidal transformer powers the analog section exclusively, backed by a filter capacitor bank totaling nearly 80,000uF. The display and control system draw from a separate supply, with control signals isolated through digital isolator chips so nothing from the digital side leaks into the music. The measured floor: under 7 microvolts of output noise and THD+N below 0.0005%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTwin JFETs In, a MUSES Chip on the Volume\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe input stage uses Aune's twin JFET arrangement in dual-transistor parallel configuration. JFETs share voltage-control behavior with vacuum tubes, which is where the A17 gets its natural, layered, warm character; running matched pairs keeps that character stable as the amplifier heats through a long session.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVolume runs through the JRC MUSES72323, a high-end R2R volume chip with 99 steps, synchronizing all four balanced channels to keep left-right imbalance out of the picture even at whisper levels. Headphone and preamp outputs keep independent volume logic, so switching between headphones and powered speakers never starts with a blast at the wrong level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFour Gains, Two Currents, Every Headphone Covered\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFour gain settings from 5.8dB to 13.5dB combine with two Class A current modes, A-L and A-H, to match the amplifier's operating point to the load. Sensitive in-ear monitors on G-1 sit on a background quieter than 7 microvolts; flagship over-ears on G-4 get the full output. The dual-color display shows current mode, gain, volume, and internal temperature at a glance, echoed by a second small display on the top panel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeat is managed the honest way, with mass and surface area: an ultra-thick pure aluminum chassis with a multi-tiered internal heatsink structure channels warmth away from the circuit and spreads it across the case. The A17 is built to run warm and stay stable through all-day Class A operation. Every function gets its own physical button, and an aluminum remote mirrors the front panel from the listening chair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow the A17 Compares\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithin Aune's line, the step up from the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/aune-audio-s17-pro-evo-headphone-amplifier\" title=\"Aune Audio S17 Pro EVO Headphone Amplifier\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eS17 Pro EVO\u003c\/a\u003e is substantial: eleven and a half watts balanced against seven and a half, a 100W toroidal against 50W, four times the filter capacitance, four gain settings against two, and the MUSES72323 running the volume. The S17 Pro EVO remains the smart buy for most systems; the A17 exists for the headphones that ask more than most systems can give.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt $2,399, the A17 competes with the established names in summit-level amplification and arrives with an argument they cannot all make: true Class A, fully discrete, with power reserves that end the question of what it can drive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAune's flagship fully discrete, fully balanced Class A headphone amplifier and preamp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUp to 11,500mW balanced output into 32 ohms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree pairs of output transistors in parallel per channel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwin JFET input stage in dual-transistor parallel configuration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSplit power supply: +\/-20V pre-amplification, +\/-15V output stage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e100W toroidal transformer dedicated to the analog section\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNearly 80,000uF of main filter capacitance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIsolated control power with digital isolator chips\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJRC MUSES72323 99-step R2R volume control across four channels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIndependent volume logic for headphone and preamp outputs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFour gain settings (5.8dB to 13.5dB) and two Class A current modes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOutput noise under 7uV; THD+N below 0.0005%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4-pin XLR, 4.4mm balanced, and 6.35mm headphone outputs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRCA and XLR inputs; RCA and XLR preamp outputs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDual-display interface with two-color status UI and temperature readout\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne-button-per-function controls with aluminum remote\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUltra-thick pure aluminum chassis with tiered internal heatsinks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3-layer internal shielding structure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHi-Res Audio certification\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical Specs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProduct Type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClass A headphone amplifier and preamplifier\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArchitecture\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFully discrete, fully balanced Class A\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInput Stage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTwin JFET, dual-transistor parallel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOutput Stage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThree parallel pairs of power transistors per channel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGain Settings\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eG-1 5.8dB \/ G-2 9.2dB \/ G-3 11.6dB \/ G-4 13.5dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClass A Current Modes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA-L \/ A-H, selectable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVolume Control\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJRC MUSES72323, 99-step R2R, four synchronized channels\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeadphone Outputs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4-pin XLR balanced, 4.4mm balanced, 6.35mm single-ended\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLine Inputs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRCA (10K ohm) and XLR (10K ohm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePreamp Outputs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRCA (200 ohm) and XLR (100 ohm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeadphone Output Impedance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 ohm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrequency Response\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20Hz - 80kHz, +\/-0.05dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTHD+N\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u0026lt;0.0005% at 1kHz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSNR\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u0026gt;115dB at 32 ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCrosstalk\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u0026lt; -100dB at 1kHz, 32 ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNoise Floor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u0026lt;7uV\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePower Supply\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100W toroidal transformer, ~80,000uF capacitor bank, split +\/-20V and +\/-15V rails\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePower Input\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIEC AC inlet with rear power switch\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDimensions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e290 x 345 x 130mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRemote\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRemote control included\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHeadphone Output Power (G-4, Maximum Gain)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLoad\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e6.35mm Single-Ended\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e4.4mm \/ XLR Balanced\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e32 ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2,820mW\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11,500mW\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e940mW\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3,720mW\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e630mW\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2,480mW\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e380mW\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1,520mW\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e320mW\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1,260mW\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e470 ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200mW\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e810mW\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600 ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e160mW\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e640mW\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's in the Box\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAune A17 headphone amplifier\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePower cord\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e6.35mm to 3.5mm adapter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemote control\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQuick start guide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Aune Audio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43019428298823,"sku":"AUNE-A17","price":2399.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1791\/0383\/files\/1_f2ec65f0-3764-4732-86b3-21e80cb5840b.jpg?v=1785368621","url":"https:\/\/headphones.com\/products\/aune-audio-a17-headphone-amplifier","provider":"Headphones.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}