Nirvana - Desktop Headphone Amplifier
From idea to reality
Great success of the predecessors, the HA-2 and the Headonia - a TOTAL reference tube amp, inspired Auris team to develop another tube amp, which is going to be extremely powerful.
The Auris Audio Nirvana is one of those amps that performs great with every single headphones you throw at it, from the most easy driving - dynamic to the hardest, planar magnetic, and the other way round. The range of supported headphone impendances is huge - from 32 to 600 Ohm. Apart from the fact that it's maybe too powerful, there absolutely isn't a single thing you don't like about the amplifier. It looks stunning and the separate power supply gives it an extra classy look. The external PSU, which delivers the best possible constant power (no AC) to the amp section - the safest choice when trying to achieve an audiophile performance.
If you are looking for a musical instrument to deliver maximum performance or you are seeking or lusting for, a product that will make you feel as if you are in heaven, look no further than the Auris Nirvana.
Sound
Nirvana proves that bass performance from headphones can match the quality and the quantity of bass-via-massive-woofers. No loss of details, perfect clarity, precision and airiness with all the headphones plugged into it. In the matter of sound, Nirvana represents a blend of Auris Ha2 and Headonia amplifier, in the way that it takes the best of both. Balanced mode reveales many hidden layers of music and the reproduction becomes slightly more detailed.
It sounds like you're in heaven with a dynamic, wide and very well layered sound with a good amount of warmth and tube smoothness. The Nirvana gets sound (and looks) just right and it simply is impossible not to like.
Technology
In technological terms, Nirvana qualities are reflected in:
Carefully selected and pre-tested tubes - should last for 10.000 hours. It is powered by iconic EL34 by Electro Harmonix, a most common pentode found in British amplifiers. The drive tube is ECC82 by Tung- Sol, popular in audio world as low-noise tube for most popular amplifiers circuits.
Transformers - manually wound on double C core and manufactured in-house in compliance with strictly defined requirements.
High quality components - branded Mundorf, Rubicon, Wima etc...
Design
Nirvana features a classic retro design with wooden plates on top and at the bottom, with black leather finishing in between.
It is a two-piece stylish design with external PSU, attached to the main amplifier via high quality 1m long umbilical cord.
Two transformers on the top of the amp are noticeable with a glass protection for tubes
Tubes are inserted into easily-accessible sockets on the top
Two backlit VU meters and two headphone outputs ( 4-pin XLR + 6,3mm stereo )
Three dials/selectors on the top panel, for output impedance, volume and inputs
Two pairs of RCA inputs with a pair of 3-pin XLR and a power input on the back panel
PSU is made of aluminium chassis with a cord wrapped with a proper strain relief
Supported input voltage selector 110V/220 V