Headphones amplifiers — Auris Audio Nirvana VI

The Nirvana VI is a valve headphone amplifier and line preamplifier from Auris Audio, the Serbian manufacturer established in 2013. It follows the earlier Nirvana, whose EL34 output valves have given way to 6CA7 power pentodes, and the output transformers were upgraded along the way. The model was announced in February 2025 at a US price of USD 6,150, and the list price later stood at USD 6,499. In the Auris range it sits between the compact Lyre and the 300B-based Headonia.

Key specs that matter

Auris fits one ECC82 double triode and two 6CA7 pentodes of the PS Vane Art Series, and the circuit is described as single-ended. Maximum output reaches 4 W. The output impedance can be set to 32, 80, 150, 300 or 600 ohm, which covers headphones across that whole range. Input sensitivity is 1 V, and the preamplifier output supplies up to 4.5 V. Sources connect through one balanced XLR and two RCA line inputs, headphones plug into a 4-pin XLR or a 6.3 mm stereo jack, and the pre-out uses one pair of RCA sockets. The amplifier measures 310 x 420 x 250 mm and weighs 14.7 kg.

Engineering and use context

Auris winds each output transformer by hand in Serbia, using high-purity copper wire produced under its own supervision, and gives every transformer several secondary windings. These windings work together with the impedance switch to suit the load presented by different headphones. A large OLED display on the front shows VU level bars, a counter of operating hours for the valves and a timer for the total life of the unit, which helps the owner judge when a set of tubes is due for replacement. Three front controls handle output impedance, volume and input choice. Volume is set by a motorised potentiometer that also offers a mute function, and a remote control reaches all of the main functions. The aluminium chassis carries artificial leather side panels and rests on vulcanised rubber feet that reduce mechanical vibration.

Pairing

With its power reserve and the full range of impedance taps, the Nirvana VI is intended for both dynamic and planar magnetic headphones. The input sensitivity matches the line level of common DACs and streaming players. Via the pre-out the amplifier also feeds a stereo power amplifier or powered monitors, so the motorised volume and remote serve a loudspeaker system too.

Alternatives

The Auris Audio Headonia 300B is the single-ended triode headphone amplifier of the brand, using two 300B output valves for 7 W per channel.