Our Verdict
The Auris Audio HA-2SE is a really excellent sounding headphone tube amp. More than that it is an amp that I find myself wanting to use both on a recreational casual listening level as well as the times when I want to take a more studied approach. It has an enticingly quiet, balanced, and analog type sound with just a hint of wetness but nothing painfully slow. It is just so easy to listen.
Granted, the Formula S from Xi Audio is possibly the greater amp, it should be, it costs a lot more. However, like car buying, you go with your heart and the HA-2SE has plenty of character in its sound for that. Only the most demanding headphones are better left to the Formula S and V281’s weightier capabilities.
It also looks wonderful. Traditional tube amps have always had a certain style to it but nothing like this, nothing quite as art decor in looks as the HA-2SE. We can be a picky shallow lot us audiophiles at times. Yeah, we want great sound but we want the gear to look great also, well most of the time. The HA-2SE checks both of those boxes with commensurate ease.