AYON AUDIO Auris Signature RCA tube preamp
Price guide - RRP $22,995
Special Price: $6,995
DESCRIPTION
Marketing on behalf of a fastidious client, this ia a rare opportunity to add a world-class tube preamp for ultimate realism to enhance your system.
Selling an Ayon Audio Auris II Signature RCA preamp, presented in excellent condition c/w original box etc. Sounds stunning!
This is Ayon's top-of-line Auris Signature RCA unbalanced version, it is a modular preamp that represents the highest standard of preamp based on 6H30 design. A full-featured class A single-ended & true balanced triode vacuum tube stereo preamplifier. Pure vacuum tube-circuit design with single gain stage and incorporates only one coupling capacitor at its output stage. It offers a holographic soundstage previously unavailable at this price class. The performance of the Auris is outstanding, transparent and vivid in its presentation. There is a huge space of the recording environment reproduced with uncanny realism. The purist 6H30 circuit topology is using zero dB negative feedback, no buffers and no followers or op amps are used anywhere in the signal path. Excellence in engineering, a special tube rectified power supply and super premium components selection provides a special magic to the reproduction of music.
I have the Ayon Auris II. It replaced a PS Audio BHK preamp. It was the single biggest improvement I have ever made to my system..... Kaarmstrong
Enjoy The Music - Best Sound" Ayon - RMAF High End Audio Show: Ayon Audio keep getting Best Of Sound at shows from not just us, but from other mags too and so once again they don't disappoint..... Steven R. Rochlin
AYON AUDIO AWARDED "BEST SOUND" WARSAW HIGH END SHOW 2019 AYON AUDIO AWARDED "BEST SOUND" MUNICH HIGH END SHOW 2019 AYON AUDIO AWARDED "BEST SOUND & AUDIO OASIS AWARD" AXPONA HIGH END SHOW 2018 AYON AUDIO AWARD "BEST SOUND, COST NO OBJECT" ABSOLUTE SOUND 2018 AYON AUDIO AWARDED "BEST SOUND" MUNICH HIGH END SHOW 2017 AYON AUDIO AWARDED "BEST SOUND" MUNICH HIGH END AUDIO 2016 AYON AUDIO AWARDED "BEST SOUND" MUNICH HIGH END AUDIO 2015
INTERESTING XLR / RCA ARTICAL:
Ayon Audio - RCA vs XLR (their actual philosophy)
Ayon’s position is very consistent across their amps and DACs: Single-ended (RCA) is the reference topology. Balanced (XLR) is situational—not inherently superior. This isn’t marketing spin—it comes directly from how they design tube circuits.
🧠 1. Core design belief: simplicity = better sound
Ayon prioritises:
Shortest signal path
Minimal active stages
No unnecessary phase splitting
In tube design, every extra stage:
- adds phase shift
- adds noise
- slightly blurs timing (microdynamics, transients)
👉 That directly conflicts with time-domain coherence + natural tone density, which is prioritised by discerning listeners with trained ears.
So in Ayon’s world:
RCA = direct signal path
XLR = added circuitry (unless truly balanced from input to output)
🔬 2. Why Ayon often prefers RCA (technically)
In most Ayon amps (including Auris-type designs):
The circuit is single-ended internally
XLR input requires:
- a phase splitter, or
- a transformer coupling stage
Both introduce:
- extra components
- potential timing smear
- subtle tonal shift
👉 Result:
RCA often sounds more “alive”, more continuous, more natural
🎧 3. What they hear(and what you would hear)
When comparing RCA vs XLR on Ayon gear, the typical differences:
RCA (their reference)
- Better harmonic density
- More natural decay on piano / strings
- Stronger sense of flow
- More “analogue-like”
XLR (when implemented on SE circuits)
- Slightly cleaner background
- Slightly tighter imaging
But often:
- less organic tone
- slightly flatter timbre
RCA usually wins.
⚖️ 4. When Ayon actually recommends XLR
They are not anti-balanced—they just use it when it’s the right tool.
XLR makes sense when:
- Long cable runs (>2–3m)
- High-noise environments
- Fully balanced system end-to-end
- Certain DAC outputs that are stronger via XLR
🔥 5. The non-obvious insight(this is key)
Balanced is often used for engineering convenience, not sonic superiority.
Many $50k–$150k systems quietly:
run DAC → tube amp via RCA
even when XLR is available
Because:
- fewer stages = better coherence
- fewer transformations = better realise
Bottom line (Ayon’s real stance)
Question - Ayon’s Answer
Is XLR better than RCA? ❌ No
Is RCA the reference? ✅ Yes (for tube circuits)
When use XLR?
Noise / long runs / true balanced chains ✅
Specifications
Tube Preamplifier Ayon Auris II Signature RCA
Class of Operation Pure Class A, Triode
Tube Complement: Line 4x 6H30
Key Features
Circuit Topology: Purist parallel single-ended 6H30
Output Impedance: Low output impedance
Line Gain: Switchable between 0dB and +6dB
Input and Output Connections
Connection Type
4x RCA Inputs
1x RCA Outputs
1x Balanced XLR Output
Class of Operation: Pure Class A
Maximum Output (at 1 kHz): ~20V rms
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: > 98 dB
Input Impedance: 100 KOhm
Frequency Response (Line): 5Hz – 125kHz / -3dB
Harmonic Distortion (at 1V): < 0.01%
Line Output Gain Switchable 0dB or +6dB
Dimensions 500W x 430D x 110H mm
Weight 19 kg
The Ayon Auris II unbalanced preamplifier is designed for high performance, offering flexibility and exceptional audio quali
Specifications subject to change without notice.
Please ensure you are familiar with our Terms & Conditions before making a purchase, thank you.