Design & Build quality
Design and build-wise this undeniably is an Auris Audio amplifier. The use of leather (brown and black are available) and wood is wonderful and it gives the amp a high-end look and feel.
The HA2-SF now comes with a glass, removable front panel to shield of the tube section. The ECC99 tubes run really hot, so it’s more of a precaution then it is a design choice. But you can of course simply not use the glass “panel” for aesthetic reasons. The HA2-SF looks a lot like the latest version of the Nirvana actually (though I personally prefer the old Nirvana styling).
From the aluminum case to the buttons, the connectors, the VU-meters and the switches on top and on the back: everything feels premium on the HA2-SF. For the price it’s selling for we wouldn’t have accepted any lesser quality either
Design wise I am sure this is an amp that will please many headphone enthusiasts. A nice, slick design which is easy to use, a not too large footprint and mesmerizing VU meters on the front. A luxurious look and feel, what’s not to like?
Well, for me there’s one thing. You see, Auris Audio decided to put orange LEDs under each of the tubes to enhance the tube glow effect as many people simply like that. I love tube glow but I never appreciated fake tube glow, but ok, you might like seeing the bright orange tube glow at night. It’s a detail, but I did quickly wanted to let you know about this design feature.
Amp layout
Unlike the original amp, there is no action on the bottom of the amp anymore. You’ll only find four grey and sturdy feet that perfectly rest the Auris Audio HA2-SF on your desk. The front plate of the amp is a lot more exciting.
There we find the VU-meter on the left and right with in between (from left to right) the balanced XLR-output, the 6.3mm single ended output, the remote control receiver and the power button. On top of the amp you have all the controls, with on the left the impedance selector (low, medium, high). In the middle you have the volume control and on the right the input selector (3 inputs, Balanced XLR being n° 1).
Just above these selectors you have the glass panel protecting you from the tubes. The tube section is nicely symmetrical with the ECC82 (V1) in the middle. On the back you from left to right find the balanced XLR-input, two RCA inputs, the RCA Pre-Out, the gain switch (low/high) and the proprietary connector for the PSU.
It’s easy, it’s simple but it works incredibly well.
Specs
Tubes: ECC82 x 1 , ECC 99 x 4
Amplifier Configuration: Single Ended
Input Sensitivity: 1Vrms
Power output: max 2 W
Output Impedance: 32Ω – 600Ω
Analog Inputs: 3 x Lines ( 2 x RCA / 1x XLR )
Analog Outputs : 1 x XLR / 6.3 mm Phono Jack
PRE Output: 1 x RCA
Dimensions WxLxH (mm): 300 x 350 x 210
Weight (kg): 9
Power supply dimensions: 144 x 204 x 74 (W x L x H in mm)
Power supply weight (kg): 3
Remote control: Optional
Sound
Sound – Intro
So far Auris Audio has managed to release all fully different sounding amplifiers, and that’s a good thing. Their signatures go from warmer (HA2-SE), to powerful (Nirvana), to absolute precision and sublime dynamics (Headonia).
If you expect the HA2-SF to sound like the original SE version, than I have to disappoint you. We’ll compare both amps later on but the sound signature here isn’t as warm and lush. For this part on sound we used a series of different sources such as the Flux Lab Acoustics Atlas, the Technics SU-G700 and the Violectric DHA V590. The HA2-SF is fully balanced, so do try to profit from this. In the next chapter we’ll describe the sound with a series of popular headphones, both in balanced as in single ended mode.
According to Auris’ designer, the HA2-SF has a natural sound, layered from the top to the bottom. No loss of details, perfect clarity, precision and airiness. The mid range has sensational performance with vocals, the clarity and transparency are all delivered flawlessly. Treble extension seems to always soar and feels endless. Bass had both slam and texture and the extension is excellent, detailed and when called for, it delivers a thunder in producing the sound. The HA-2SF is an amplifier that provides real enjoyment of listening to and playing your favorite music.
Let’s see how accurate that actually is!
Sound- General
The Auris Audio HA2-SF ’s tuning is right in between solid state neutrality and the warm tube sound. Where the original HA-2SE had a warmer and softer delivery, you in the newest version get increased clarity, more precision, better dynamics and improved PRaT. Basically it’s a higher end sounding/tuned amplifier, and that’s immediately noticeable from track one.
You get a very natural sound with very good detail retrieval and the delivery is smooth and slightly warm (and that helps with the perception of the naturalness)
You get a realistic amount of air and spaciousness and the separation is spot on. The extension both in notes as in sound stage width is good. The depth and layering are ok, but compared to the Headonia/Nirvana are still improvable.
What I really love about the HA2-SF are the dynamics. They sometimes even impress me more as with the Nirvana, so that means they’re exceptionally good. The HA2-SF with all headphones is dead silent and you’ll hear a pitch black, perfectly silent background.
The HA2-SF has a sense of power in the delivery that is very addictive. The energy level is not too soft or “in your face” as it can sometimes be with the Nirvana, but here it sits perfectly right and it creates something which I like to call the “ok, one more song” effect.
Body-wise the HA2-SF is still a fuller sounding amplifier, and that goes from the bass up to the highs. It’s not the heavy thick kind of tuning, but it’s the engaging yet still natural kind. Together with the right amount of body comes the impact, and this part is very impressive. It’s not that it’s overpowering but when needed and called upon, the HA2-SF will deliver and impress.
So yes, the tuning is quite different from Auris’ other amplifiers. And looking at their amp lineup, I would put the HA2-SF closer to the Nirvana as it’s to the Euterpe. It’s that good.
The part on sound continues on the third page. Use the jumps below or just simply click here.
Marcello
Hi Lieven,
Have you tried the pre-out section? Can you comment on that?
Phil M
dear Sir,
may i ask if the output tube ECC99 belong to Pentode tubes? are these ECC99 connect in Triode mode just like the formal amp HA-2SE ? Thank you for clarifications.
Best regards,
-phil
P.S. Auris haven’t reply my email
Lieven
Hi, it’s a twin/dual triode
http://www.r-type.org/exhib/abn0173.htm
MAsa
Hi Lieven,
Is it possible to try a setup with Rosson Audio Design’s RAD-0?
I would like to hear the difference in preference between balanced and single ended.
Lieven
Hey! I just spent about 4h listening to this combo. To be honest, it’s not the very best. It’s missing clarity, tightness punch and energy in both SE and balanced. It’s a very soft sound, it’s not bad, but it makes me miss what the RAD-0 does so well. It’s not a headphone I would use with this amp, but it could completely be your thing. The difference between SE and balanced isn’t very big with this headphone, only in regards to power (somewhat)
MAsa
Hi,
Thank you so much for your kindness.
I actually own this combo and wanted to know what other people thought of it.
Maybe this isn’t the right place to talk about it, but if you would be so kind as to tell me, which amplifiers do you feel are appropriate for the RAD-0?
Lieven
Hi Masa, you can find those in the RAD-O review:
https://www.headfonia.com/rosson-audio-design-rad-0-review/3/
MAsa
Hi,Lieven
I’ve read that article many times, but I’ve lost track of it.
Thanks!
I’m most interested in EuforiaAE.
kerry
Have you/would you try this with ZMF Verite open? Seems like this combo would be a natural.
Thanks. Great review.
Anirudh
Your review cinched it for me. Planning to pair the SF with Verite Opens. Have you tried pairing it with a Susvara or an AB1266? What are your thoughts?
Cheers!
Lieven
Susvara yes! It’s good but he Susvara really shines with the HEadonia and Nirvana more.
Jin
does this means that Susvara and 1266 sounds bad woth HA-2SF ?? or meaning sounds as they should nothing exceptional :D. because i want to buy it for my susvara and 1266 …… thank you for the wonderful review!!!
Lieven
To make the Susvara sound best, I feel you should look at the higher up models, yes
Max
Hi Lieven,
Thanks very much for your beautiful review.
If go with Meze Empyrean, which one should I choose, Hs2 SF or Euforia AE? Thanks very much.
Best,
Max
Lieven
I think the AE is the one to get
Gary
I’m looking to buy the Susvara and will feed it with a Chord TT2/MSC combo. I also want to listen to my Utopias and LCD-4s. What amp do you recommend?
Lieven
solid state: Niimbus US4+ / Ferrum OOR
Tubes: Feliks Euforia AE + Auris HEadonia 2A3 + Feliks Envy
Peter
Hello. Thanks for the Great review. I’m wondering if the following would be an upgrade to the JJ amplifier tubes.
https://www.vivatubes.com/true-nos-matched-quad-soviet-russia-gold-grid-6n6p-6h6p-ecc99-vacuum-tubes/
My headphones are hifiman he1000 SE which you talked about first when you started talking about combinations. Do you have suggestions for changing the preamplifier tube to increase the compatibility with the HP 1000 SE ?
Thanks!
Lieven
Honestly, I wouldn’t bother. Better change the input tube, look for a NOS CV491
Peter McConnel
Thanks!
tony
bonjour,
étant possesseur d’un Auris HA2 SF avec commutateur à l’arrière pour modifier le gain, et d’un casque HEDDphone,
j’ai pu faire l’essais du casque Meze Empyrean, alors oui l’on gagne en séparation en précision un grave plus facile à gérer, ,.. je ne dirais pas que c’est un mauvais casque, ceux qui m’a surpris est la scène sonore plus réduite qu’avec le casque HEDD, le casque HEDD a une surface émissive plus importante, il est un peut terne c’est vrais, j’écoute en priorité du classique, j’ai besoin d’avoir cette ouverture dans le bas medium, un peut comme mon précèdent LCD 4 Audeze,
auriez vous SVP un casque ou deux à me conseiller, qui s’adapterait à l’ampli Auris,
en restant dans le budget du HEDD,
merci par avance pour vos recherches,
Tony
Jan
Hello, you write that the VU meters move with any headphone. Mine do not, just slightly vibrate at the very beginning of the scale. I have He1000se, topping dx7 pro in dac mode, regarding to volume I barely surpass the first quarter. Did your VU meters move with HE1000se? Silly question, but if they don’t, they are useless. The sound is amazing, anyway. Thanks, Jan.
Lieven
Do you have a V1 or a V2 with the switch on the back? The V1 unfortunately barely moves with normal headhpones