Aurièges
All Names:
Aurièges
Aurièges - L
Aurièges Equalizer Amplifier
Categories:
Pre Amplifier
Stereo
Dual-chassis
Phono Only
Production Years:
2001 - Present
Ok, this one about broke me. There are three different product lines referred to as 'Aurièges.' Two of these lines have had at least 2 variants apiece and the production timelines for all 3 overlap. Throw in people posting pictures on social media of the first design from product line 1 and saying its the last design from product line 3. Then, images of an Aurièges I don't even think exists get posted... Lets just say if you see errors below it'll be a while before they get sorted out.
The first Aurièges appeared in the third quarter 2001 as an entry-level phono-equalizer pre-amplifier, pretty much a replacement for the Claret which had been discontinued in 2000. The Aurièges phono-equalizer pre-amplifier will go through two or possibly three variants and survive until today (2026).
The second product is a line-stage-only pre amplifier. It appeared in 2006 and the faceplate indicates it has a Phono input. It does not. It was available through 2019 in at least two chassis versions and multiple variants.
Lastly, a phono-only "Aurieges Equalizer Amplifier" appears around 2009, utilizing a form factor almost identical to the 2001, full-featured pre amplifier product. You may see images of that 2001 Aurièges chassis represented as this latter phono-only model on the internet in places.
All this leads to great confusion in online discussions. Specifications are presented for Aurièges version 'A','B' and/or 'C' when people are asking about version 'D'. It's likely I got some things wrong as well, let me know if you see any errors below.
Shindo Aurièges Pre Amplifier, dual chassis, circa 2001
Shindo Aurièges Pre Amplifier, dual chassis, circa 2001
Name:
Aurièges
Categories:
Pre Amplifier
Stereo
Dual-chassis
Years Produced:
2001 - 2008
MSRP:
The first Aurièges was introduced third quarter 2001 as the entry-level phono equalizer (pre amplifier), replacing the Claret which had been discontinued in 2000. This Aurièges is stereo, full function pre amplifier with separate power and pre-amplifier chassis connected by a 17" umbilical cable.
Description, Shindo Laboratory website, 2001
Superb sound imaging is a hallmark of our preamp lineup, delivering high-quality sound at a reasonable price. We have incorporated a touch of luxury with a separate power supply design. We highly recommend this unit to anyone who enjoys listening to CDs. This is Aurièges.
Precise imaging is the key to a rich sense of concert-hall presence, and it is a fundamental tenet of our consistent sound philosophy. Our new Aurièges model features a design that is both simple and luxurious, incorporating elements such as a separate power supply unit.
Specifications, Shindo Laboratory website 2002
• Input Sensitivity / Impedance Phono Input (MM): 3mV / 50kΩ (RCA jacks)
• Other Inputs: AUX, TV, CD (RCA jacks)
• Distortion: 0.04% THD
• S/N Ratio: 120dB
• Line stage: Non-NFB
• Frequency Response: 10Hz–50kHz
• Output Level / Impedance: 10V / 5kΩ (RCA jacks)
• Power Consumption: 100V–40W
• Power Supply: AC100V, 50/60Hz
• Dimensions Power Supply Unit: W285 x H80 x D285 mm
• Dimensions Equalizer & Line Unit: W285 x H80 x D300 mm
• Weight: 6.6kg (1 pair)
Additional Details:
• 1 x phono Moving Magnet input , RCA pin jack
• 3 x line level inputs, RCA pin jack ( but four line level input positions indicated on the front plate)
Power Chassis
• Power via 6X4 rectifier tube, oil filled capacitor for smoothing additional
• Heater voltages via silicon rectifier bridge
• Copper clad Denki E-core mains transformer
• 17" power umbilical, captive to power supply unit
Preamp Chassis
• Star-ground design
• Tubes Complement
• 2 x Siemens ECF 80 (Pentode Side: phono signal, Triode Side: Volume
• 2 x PCL86 (Triode Side: Volume, Beam-power side: Output jacks)
• Uses a 250k ohm Alps potentiometer (rather than the usual Tokyo Cosmos)
Shindo Aurièges Pre Amplifier, single chassis, circa 2009
Shindo Aurièges Pre Amplifier, single chassis, circa 2009
Name:
Aurièges
Categories:
Pre Amplifier
Stereo
Single Chassis
Years Produced:
2009 - Present
MSRP:
In 2009 the dual-chassis Aurièges is replaced with a single chassis design. The proscenium art Shindo was using for tube windows at the time is copied onto the solid front.
A Note: There is at least one image of an Aurièges full pre amplifier from around this time in a case resembling the 2006 Aurièges-L variant (single, small chassis form factor, see the entry below). This may have been a prototype or a small-run batch I missed. I'd like to know more about it if anyone is volunteering information.
Description:
None available
Official Technical Specifications, Shindo Laboratory website 2013:
• Input Sensitivity/Impedance: 3mV / 50kΩ
• One phono moving-magnet input, RCA
• Other Inputs: CD, FM, TV (RCA pin jacks)
• S/N Ratio: 120dB (Non-NFB input stage)
• Frequency Response: 10Hz – 50,000Hz
• Output: RCA pin jacks
• Power Consumption: 40W
• Power Supply: AC100V, 50/60Hz
• Dimensions: W390 × H115 × D240 mm
• Weight: 5.5kg
Additional Details:
Shindo Aurièges-L Line Stage Pre Amplifier circa 2006
Shindo Aurièges-L Line Stage Pre Amplifier circa 2006
Shindo Aurièges-L Line Stage Pre Amplifier circa 2009
Name:
Aurièges - L
Categories:
Pre Amplifier
Stereo
Single Chassis
Line Stage Only
Years Produced:
2006 - 2010 (est)
MSRP:
The first Aurièges - L is a low form factor, single chassis line-stage amplifier with no phono inputs. Introduced in 2006 there appear to have been at least two design variants and production of the low form factor runs as faceplates, knobs and rocker switches vary slightly between units.
Although the front and back panels have labels marked "Phono" there are no phono inputs.
Description:
None available
Technical Specifications, Shindo Laboratory website 2006:
• Input Sensitivity/Impedance: Phono MM (pin jack) 100KΩ. When using equalizer amplifier.
• Other Inputs: AUX. FM. TV. CD. (pin jack) 100KΩ.
• S/N Ratio: 120dB / Line section non-NFB
• Frequency Response: 10Hz - 50KHz
• Output Level/Impedance: 10V/5KΩ (pin jack)
• Power Consumption: 100V-80W
• Power Supply: AC100V, 50/60 Hz
• Dimensions: W 275 × H 80 × D 300 mm.
• Weight: 4.2 kg
Additional Details:
• Volcano-cone LEDs, through-plate
• Non-captive IEC power cord
• Knobs vary
• Rocker switch may vary
Shindo Aurièges-L Line Stage Pre Amplifier circa 2012
Shindo Aurièges-L Line Stage Pre Amplifier, tall version, year unknown
Shindo Aurièges-L Line Stage Pre Amplifier circa 2011
Name:
Aurièges - L
Categories:
Pre Amplifier
Stereo
Single Chassis
Line Stage
Years Produced:
2011 (est) - 2019 (est)
MSRP:
The second Aurièges-L design is a higher form factor chassis. The internal differences between this version and the last are unknown.
Although it looks a bit like the latest full-pre amplifier version of Aurièges it can be recognized by the vertically stacked knobs. Again, multiple knob variants appear with the flat variety indicating some of these were made in 2011.
Description:
None available
Official Technical Specifications, Shindo Laboratory website 2011:
• Input sensitivity/impedance: 100kΩ
• Inputs: CD, FM, TV (RCA pin jack)
• S/N Ratio: 120dB, No NFB at input.
• Frequency Response: 10Hz - 50,000Hz
• Output: RCA pin jack.
• Power Consumption: 50W.
• Power Supply: AC100V, 50/60 Hz.
• Dimensions: W 265 × H 110 × D 260mm .
• Weight: 5kg.
Additional Details:
Shindo Aurièges Phono Equalizer Amplifier, 2009
Shindo Aurièges Equalizer Amplifier, 2009
Shindo Aurièges Phono Equalizer Amplifier, 2009
Name:
Aurièges Equalizer Amplifier
Categories:
Pre Amplifier
Phono Only
Stereo
Dual Chassis
Years Produced:
2009
MSRP:
$7895 (US, 2015)
This is a two-chassis, phono focused preamplifier. It utilizes the two-unit chassis from the 2001 Aurieges but careful viewers will note switch\LED change and the faceplate screws. This unit has no line inputs, only dual moving-coil inputs, one Stereo and one Mono. It could be ordered with the internal step-up transformer(s) disconnected to allow use with moving magnet cartridges or an external SUT.
This is another limited-edition run with reportedly less than 12 units being imported in into the United States.
Description:
None available
Official Technical Specifications, Shindo Laboratory website 2011:
• Input sensitivity/impedance: 100kΩ
• Inputs: CD, FM, TV (RCA pin jack)
• S/N Ratio: 120dB, No NFB at input.
• Frequency Response: 10Hz - 50,000Hz
• Output: RCA pin jack.
• Power Consumption: 50W.
• Power Supply: AC100V, 50/60 Hz.
• Dimensions: W 265 × H 110 × D 260mm .
• Weight: 5kg.
Additional Details:
• Mono and Stereo switchable
• EQ switchable: RIAA, Columbia, and 78 curves
• 3 x custom-wound Lundahl step-up transformers
• Mono input : 59dB gain
• Stereo input (Stereo gain with step-up transformer disconnected: 39.9dB)
• Output
Can be ordered with SUT(s) disconnected, allowing for MM or use of an external SUT ; measured gain of 39.9dB via the stereo jacks Without the SUT
• Stereo Input gain:
• Mono Input gain: 59dB
• Stereo Gain with internal transformer disconnected: 39dB
Power Supply unit:
• 6X4 rectifier tube, oil filled capacitor for smoothing additional
• Heater voltages via silicon rectifier bridge
• Copper clad Denki E-core mains transformer
• 17" power umbilical, captive to power supply unit
• Rocker switch power
• LED power indicator (through plate)
Preamplifier unit:
• Tubes:
2 x Telefunken EF83 pentodes
Phono input to the signal grid
2 x Sylvania 6072 dual-triodes