Auris Audio Minuet
Auris Audio Minuet, tube headphone amplifier
Driving headphones with tubes requires only a few milliwatts, and that is the territory this Serbian amplifier explores. Two small power pentodes, a driver tube, hand-wound output transformers: the recipe is rooted in old-school electronics, with no feedback loop to smooth the signal. The result is designed for warm, relaxed listening with wired hi-fi headphones connected to a good source.
NOS tubes of Yugoslav origin
The power stage is based on EL95 or PL95 pentodes, small power tubes from the NOS (new old stock, old tubes that have never been used) inventory of the Yugoslav company Ei. The choice makes sense for a Serbian amplifier: Ei manufactured its tubes in Niš, and these references are well suited to the modest power levels required by headphones. Upstream, a 12AU7 dual triode provides preamplification. This combination delivers the warm texture and fullness expected from tube electronics.
Ultra-linear and without feedback
Two design choices give the Minuet its character. The ultra-linear circuit connects the pentodes’ screen grid to an intermediate tap on the output transformer, halfway between triode operation (linear, low power) and pentode operation (more power, more distortion). It also does without global feedback, the loop that sends part of the output signal back to the input to correct deviations. Without it, the circuit can express itself more freely, at the cost of greater demands on component quality. The result gains in spontaneity and dynamics, with the characteristic colour of tubes.
Output transformers and impedance selector
Many tube headphone amplifiers do without transformers (OTL design); the Minuet makes the opposite choice. Its hand-wound double C-core output transformers match the high impedance of tubes to the much lower impedance of headphones. They are what make the front-panel impedance selector possible, with its two settings: 32 and 150 ohms. Choose the setting closest to the headphone impedance: low-impedance, planar or closed-back models on the 32-ohm setting; higher-impedance headphones, often open-back over-ear models, on the 150-ohm setting. A 250- or 300-ohm headphone should therefore be connected to this second setting.
Inputs, headphone outputs and VU meter
The Minuet accepts a source via balanced XLR connection or unbalanced RCA connection, allowing it to be connected to a DAC, a network player or any other source with a line output, depending on the available cabling. For headphones, two connectors share the front panel: a 4-pin XLR and a 6.35 mm stereo jack, to suit the cable termination. Volume is controlled by an ALPS potentiometer, renowned for its good channel tracking. An analogue VU meter completes the front panel and displays the power delivered in real time, providing a convenient reference for adjusting the level and seeing the amplifier at work.
Aluminium and leather side panels
The chassis is made of aluminium and its side panels are clad in leather, a visual signature Auris uses across its products. Handcrafted in Serbia, the Minuet is part of the brand’s range of tube headphone amplifiers. Its power supply and output transformers have been reinforced compared with previous Auris headphone amplifiers, for a fuller, richer sound.
Technical specifications
Overview
- Auris Audio Minuet tube headphone amplifier
- Handcrafted in Serbia
Design and architecture
- Ultra-linear topology, without feedback
- Power stage: NOS EL95 or PL95 Ei Yugoslavia tubes
- Preamplification stage: 12AU7 tube
- Hand-wound dual C-core output transformers
- Reinforced power supply compared with the brand’s previous headphone amplifiers
Connectivity
- Inputs
- Balanced XLR
- Unbalanced RCA
- Headphone outputs
- 4-pin balanced XLR
- 6.35 mm stereo jack
Settings and display
- Impedance selector: 32 Ω / 150 Ω
- ALPS volume potentiometer
- Analog VU meter for monitoring output power
Construction and finish
- Aluminum chassis
- Leather-clad side panels
Dimensions
- Length x Width x Height: 460 x 440 x 310 mm
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Le Minuet include a digital converter?
No. It is an analog headphone amplifier: it must be paired with a source featuring a line output, such as a converter (DAC), network player or CD player, connected via RCA or XLR.
Can it be used as a preamp for a power amplifier or active speakers?
Its outputs are the two headphone sockets: 4-pin XLR and 6.35 mm jack. The Minuet is a headphone amplifier, not a line preamplifier: its outputs power headphones, not another amplifier or active speakers.
Is the Minuet suitable for very sensitive in-ear headphones?
It is primarily intended for over-ear headphones. The 32-ohm setting targets low-impedance models, but very sensitive in-ear monitors may reveal the slight background noise of tube electronics and make fine volume adjustment less easy. A tube amplifier of this type is best enjoyed with headphones, rather than ultra-sensitive earphones.
Do tubes wear out, and can they be replaced?
Yes, tubes have a limited lifespan and can be replaced. The 12AU7, also known as the ECC82, is a common dual triode that is easy to find. EL95 and PL95 pentodes are rarer: originally, they are NOS tubes, meaning old stock that has never been used. It is best to plan for their replacement through a dealer who guarantees matched and tested units.
What is the difference between the 4-pin XLR output and the 6.35 mm jack?
Both lead to the same headphones; the choice depends on the termination of your cable. The 6.35 mm jack is the standard for wired hi-fi headphones. The 4-pin XLR socket accommodates headphones whose cable ends in this connector, commonly found on models supplied with what is known as balanced wiring.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
