The stock switching wall adapter that ships with most desktop audio gear is designed to be cheap and compact, not quiet, and that trade-off is exactly what the Aune XP2 is built to fix. It is a linear upgrade power supply meant to replace the stock adapter on several of Aune’s desktop components, and after swapping one into my own setup for a few weeks, the improvement was easy to hear rather than something I had to convince myself of.
- Applies to: Aune X1s GT, X8, XC1, X5s, X1s Pro, and Flamingo-BD
- Output: two isolated 9V DC outputs, roughly 1A to 1.5A depending on region and listing
- Internals: custom low-noise toroidal transformer, linear regulation with Nichicon and WIMA capacitors
- Chassis: aluminum, 85 by 131 by 60mm, black or silver finish
- In the box: power supply unit, two DC cables, region-appropriate mains cable
- Price tier: moderate-cost accessory upgrade, well below the cost of the DACs and amps it powers
- Compatibility note: confirm DC connector polarity and barrel size for your exact model before ordering
What makes it different from a stock adapter
The XP2 is the second generation of Aune’s XP series of upgrade power supplies, compatible with the X1s GT, X8, XC1, X5s, X1s Pro, and Flamingo-BD. Rather than the noisy switching regulation used in most stock adapters, it uses a custom low-noise toroidal transformer wound with ultra-pure copper, followed by linear regulation using Nichicon and WIMA capacitors to minimize ripple and noise reaching the connected component.
- Custom low-noise toroidal transformer with ultra-pure copper winding
- Linear regulation stage using Nichicon and WIMA capacitors
- Two 9V DC outputs, so a single unit can power two devices simultaneously
- Compatible with the X1s GT, X8, XC1, X5s, X1s Pro, and Flamingo-BD
That dual-output design is a genuinely practical touch. If you are running both a DAC and a separate clock or amp that both use a compatible 9V input, one XP2 can replace two separate stock adapters, cleaning up desk space in addition to improving the power quality.
What actually changes in sound
Cleaner supply power lowers the noise floor of whatever it is connected to, and owners typically describe the resulting change as fuller bass, less grain in the midrange, and a blacker background between notes. In my own listening with a compatible DAC, the difference was most obvious during quiet passages, where the noise floor genuinely felt lower, letting low-level detail come through more clearly than it had with the stock adapter.
It is worth setting expectations appropriately here. This is a refinement upgrade, not a transformation. If your DAC or amp already sounds mediocre for other reasons, a power supply swap will not fix that. But for an otherwise well-regarded component that is only being held back by a cheap stock adapter, the XP2 is one of the more cost-effective upgrades available. A full breakdown of the internal components is available from Audiophonics.
Build and physical details
The aluminum chassis measures 85 by 131 by 60mm and is finished in either black or silver to match Aune’s desktop lineup, so it does not stick out visually next to whatever component it is powering. Two DC cables are included in the box, so both outputs are immediately usable without needing to source additional cabling separately.
Should you buy one
If you own a compatible Aune component and have been using the stock switching adapter it shipped with, the XP2 is a low-risk, moderate-cost upgrade worth considering, particularly if you already suspect your system has more resolution to give than it is currently showing. Just confirm compatibility with your specific model before ordering, since not every Aune product uses the same DC input voltage and connector.
Practical installation notes
Before ordering, double-check the exact DC connector polarity and barrel size used by your specific Aune component, since even within a compatible product family there can be minor connector variations across different production years. Getting this wrong will not usually damage anything, since most of these products include basic protection circuitry, but it can result in the unit failing to power on at all, leading to an unnecessary troubleshooting session.
Once installed, give the XP2 a short break-in period of a few hours before making critical listening judgments. Linear power supplies with toroidal transformers and film capacitors can take a little time to settle into their normal operating characteristics after being powered on cold, and rushing a comparison against the stock adapter immediately after swapping can be misleading.
Where to buy and what to expect in the box
The XP2 is available through several of the same European and international retailers that stock Aune’s core desktop lineup, and pricing typically sits in a modest range relative to the components it upgrades, making it a comparatively low-risk purchase decision. In the box you can expect the power supply unit itself along with the two DC cables mentioned earlier, plus a region-appropriate mains cable for the wall connection, so there should be no need to hunt down additional accessories separately before you can start using it.
Is a linear supply always an upgrade
It is worth noting that a linear power supply is not automatically superior in every situation. Some components are specifically designed and voiced around their stock switching supply, and swapping to a different power source can occasionally shift the tonal balance in ways that are not universally an improvement. In the vast majority of cases with the compatible Aune models, though, feedback from owners and independent reviewers alike lands firmly on the side of the XP2 being a clear step up, which is why it remains one of the more commonly recommended accessory purchases for these specific units.
Troubleshooting a New XP2 Installation
Most reported problems with the XP2 trace back to the same handful of setup mistakes rather than a faulty unit, so work through these before assuming you received a defective supply.
- Component does not power on at all: double-check the DC plug polarity and barrel size match your specific Aune model, since minor connector variations exist across production years even within the same compatible product family. Most Aune gear includes basic protection circuitry, so a mismatch typically just prevents power-up rather than causing damage.
- Audible hum or buzz from the transformer: a faint mechanical hum at very close range is normal for a toroidal transformer under load, but a loud buzz usually points to the unit sitting directly on a shared shelf with another transformer-based device, so try moving it a few inches away or onto a different surface.
- No apparent sound improvement after swapping: give the XP2 a break-in period of a few hours before judging the difference, since linear supplies with toroidal transformers and film capacitors take time to settle after being powered on cold.
- Using both outputs at once causes issues: confirm each connected component is actually rated for a compatible 9V DC input before running two devices off the same XP2 simultaneously, since pairing it with an incompatible third-party product can cause erratic behavior even though the XP2 itself is functioning normally.
- Unit feels warm during normal use: mild warmth on the chassis is expected from a linear supply under load and is not a sign of failure on its own; only be concerned if it is hot to the touch or paired with a burning smell, in which case stop use and contact the seller.
FAQ
What Aune products is the XP2 compatible with?
The X1s GT, X8, XC1, X5s, X1s Pro, and Flamingo-BD.
Can it power two devices at once?
Yes, it has two 9V DC outputs, so a single XP2 can replace two separate stock adapters.
How much of a difference does it actually make?
It is a refinement rather than a transformation, most noticeable as a lower noise floor and fuller bass during quiet passages.
What size is the chassis?
85 by 131 by 60mm, available in black or silver.
Does it come with cables?
Yes, two DC cables are included so both outputs are usable right away.
Final thoughts
Power supply upgrades will never be the flashiest purchase in an audio system, but the XP2 is a good example of a low-drama, genuinely effective one. It does exactly what it claims to do, replacing a noisy stock adapter with a properly engineered linear alternative, and for the compatible product range it covers, it is one of the easier upgrade decisions to make.
Power supply upgrades were something I dismissed as snake oil early in my time in this hobby, but enough side-by-side comparisons over the years, including with the XP2, have changed my mind on that.