Turntables — Auris Audio Auris Blues

The Blues is a belt-drive turntable from Auris Audio, built with a substantial precision-tuned sub-platter and an advanced isolation system, sold without a cartridge fitted. Auris Audio is a Central European manufacturer, and the Blues represents the brand's high-fidelity analogue source offering engineered specifically for superior sonic accuracy and long-term mechanical stability.

Key specs that matter

Two speeds are supported - 33.3 and 45rpm - with manual speed selection. Drive is by belt from a powerful synchronous motor with electronic control on the PCB, a design specifically chosen to reduce vibration and maintain constant speed regardless of mains voltage fluctuation; an optional EON external power supply further elevates speed-control accuracy for buyers wanting that additional refinement. The sub-platter design uses a substantial 10mm shaft delivering considerable inertia specifically aimed at eradicating wow and flutter. Bearing housing uses bronze construction paired with ball bearings sourced from the medical industry for minimal clearances and exceptional sound transmission. Depending on the specific configuration, either the T809 tonearm - engineered internally to dampen vibration for unparalleled clarity - or the newer W9 nine-inch tonearm, precision-manufactured on CNC machines with an ultra-thin 1mm carbon fibre wall, is fitted. A specially engineered counterweight uses a rubber thread for further vibration reduction, and height-adjustment capability lets a buyer bring the plinth to a perfectly horizontal position.

Sound and use context

Expect an extraordinary listening experience built specifically around stability and vibration reduction - Auris states the carbon fibre tonearm wall unveils subtle detail and nuance particularly well-suited to jazz recordings, with the substantial sub-platter inertia and precision bearing combination contributing directly to unparalleled audio fidelity.

Pairing

Since the Blues ships without a cartridge, a buyer needs to select and fit a moving-magnet or moving-coil cartridge separately, along with a compatible phono stage sized to that cartridge's specific output.

Alternatives

Auris Audio's Blues S variant comes pre-fitted with a Sumiko cartridge - either the Black Pearl or MP-100 depending on configuration - for buyers wanting a complete out-of-box package rather than sourcing a cartridge independently, worth considering instead if the added convenience of a factory-matched cartridge outweighs choosing one personally.