This amplifier was designed to be the ultimate
desktop amplifier having the same
footprint as an 8-1/2 x 11 sheet of paper.
We wanted to re-create the same experience
on the desktop as we have in the listening
room... which is to say we want the same
imaging and sound-stage performance with a
seductive beauty found only with tubes.
To achieve this goal a desktop amplifier
actually needs to be a listening-room
amplifier and be able to be used in either
place.
A major feature that makes this
amplifier unique is the way it creates its
own grain-free clean power with glow
tubes. By using the glow tubes in series
with the power supplies we get similar or
better performance to using a $6000 power
re-generator.
The end result is a serious listening room
amplifier that has been miniaturized to
fit on the desktop. A pretty
impressive accomplishment considering it
is a dual-mono single-ended design without
compromises.
- 6V6 single-ended design giving
around 5 watts
- Point-to-Point wiring with no
circuit boards
- Tube rectification for each channel
using 6CA4/EZ90
- Output-stage regulation using OA3's
- Input-stage regulation using OC2's
- Dual volume controls
- 8.5 inches x 11 inches x 5 inches
- Requires NO preamp
- Input for 2 sources
- Variable Line Level Output jacks
- Treble adjustment with bypass
- Adjustable feedback to control
presence
- Our Proprietary UFO wide-band output
transformers
- Easy to move around
- High-mass, powder-coated steel
chassis
- Solid hardwood base with wood
options
- Enhanced tube life
- Self-biasing - nothing to set or
adjust
- LO and HI impedance speaker switch
- Cryo-treated Beeswax caps
- Highest-grade internals
- Output tube compatibility
facilitates custom voicing
The audio circuit is a very minimalist
dual-mono single-ended design featuring
a volume control and input selector for
two sources.
The amplifier's overall gain is high
enough that during those times when you
don't have a real DAC hooked up it can
still sound good driven by something as
weak as a laptop's headphone jack.
There is also an adjustable treble-cut
with a bypass switch so that if you find
yourself streaming compressed MP3 music
while you're working, you can make it
more tolerable by reducing the very top
end where the results of jitter and
compression are most apparent.
The dual-mono design gives the amplifier
a separate power supply and even a
separate power switch for each channel.
Basically it's two monoblocks stuffed
into a single chassis. Dual- mono
enhances performance and makes
troubleshooting tube problems fast and
painless.
The Mini Torii is basically the most
exotic tube amp you can squeeze into a
package this small. Its sound and build
quality consistently exceed everyone's
expectations... which are already quite
high.
Mini-Torii Glow tubes
used to clean the incoming power.
Rear view in our
standard walnut base.
There
are a few options available for this
amplifier that can be selected from
within the shopping cart.
Select
Voltage: Choose the voltage for
your country. The appropriate power cord
will be selected for your location and
included with the amp.
Base style: The standard base is
dark walnut. Custom woods can be
selected for an up-charge. Exotic
woods would be anything not listed, like
for example; Zebrawood. Just write
the kind of wood you want in the
comments section when you place your
order.
Volume Control: You have a choice
of smooth-action volume controls which
allow for better adjustability or
20-position stepped attenuators which
allow for better transparency.
Knobs: There are three controls
on a Mini Torii... a left and right
volume and a treble-shunt. Below
are the knob choices for these controls.
Signal
Capacitors - Select
from film or foil capacitors.
Anniversary Mods - Type 1 and
Type 2. These are power supply
mods that use either film or foil
capacitors.
Everyone needs a
good reference, so the stock tube
complement that ships with this
amplifier is carefully tested and
voiced for the amplifier. Our factory
tube complement is of the highest
quality and ideal for those who wish
to not worry about tubes and just
enjoy the music.
TUBE ROLLING
(SKIP THIS SECTION
IF YOU'RE NOT INTO VOICING YOUR
AMP)
If you decide to
change the way this amp sounds despite
the fact that we ship it with
hand-picked top-quality tubes that we
like, that's OK.
You have the rather empowering
opportunity to experience the unique and
delicate signatures of a large variety
of tubes. In fact it almost becomes an
experience of listening to the tubes
themselves... not the amplifier.
To that effect...
All of these tubes shown
below will work in a Mini Torii - each
pair sounds a little different.
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1944
RCA Gray Glass 6Y6G
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1949
Raytheon 6V6GT
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1951
National Union 6V6GT
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1950
Sylvania Gray Glass 6Y6G
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1950
National Union 6V6GT
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1955
Sylvania JAN-CHS-6V6GTY
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1959
Tung-Sol 6L6WGB
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1960
Canada G.E. 6L6-GB
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1961
Raytheon 6V6GT
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1962
Ken-Rad 6V6GT
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1964
Sylvania 6V6GT
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1970
Sylvania 6L6G
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1972
RCA / Amperex 5881
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1979
Philips JAN-6L6-WGB
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1961
CBS-Hytron 6L6WGB
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CEI
6L6GB
5881
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International
6V6GTA
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Ken-Rad
Black Top 6Y6G
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Sylvania
Gray Glass 6Y6G
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Westinghouse
6V6GTA
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Tung-Sol
Type41 6K6
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RCA
6K6GT
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G.E.
6K6GT
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1940
RCA
Type 41 6K6
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Sylvania
6F6GT
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1961
G. E.
6F6 Metal
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USSR
6F6M-1
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Ken-Rad
6F6 Metal
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6L6
Black Plates
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Shuguang
6L6
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RCA
Metal 6L6
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RCA-Tung-Sol
6L6
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Amperex
EL37-6L6
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Ken-Rad
6L6 Metal
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USSR
6L6
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1957
G.E. Black Plate 6L6-HP
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G.E.
Double "00" Getter 6L6GC
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Tung-Sol
6L6
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G.E.
5881
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Sylvania
JAN-CHS 5932 Black
Plate
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There are large sonic
differences between the 6V6, 6Y6, 6K6,
6F6 and 6L6 output tubes in the Mini
Torii amplifier. The differences are
not unlike owning a completely
different amplifier with every change.
Mini Torii ships with an OA3 Voltage
Regulator tube for each channel. This is
the best performance of the four
available alternates. The
remaining three (OB3,OC3,OD3) can be
used to take the tube-rolling experience
to a deeper level. All four of these
voltage regulator tubes create a
different voltage for the output tubes
which changes the sound.
This amplifier is
hand-built in the USA by DECWARE /
High Fidelity Engineering Co. It comes
with a lifetime warranty to the
original owner. If you purchase one
second-hand and ever have questions or
technical problems we WILL be happy to
check it out for you and service it if
needed for a very reasonable rate.
We also
have a support
forum with many people who own
this amplifier whose experiences you may
benefit from.
Owner's
manual
You may read reviews on our
amps here.
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MINITORII - 2009 to
Oct 2012
Easily distinguished by the
gloss white chassis plate.
Original models used a 7-pin 6X4
rectifier tube that was later
changed to a 9- pin
current-production EZ90
rectifier tube.
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MINITORII-II
- New in Oct 2012
Also easy to recognize because
the finish has been upgraded
to black wrinkle.
Features user-adjustable
variable feedback.
Cryo-treated beeswax signal
caps are now used
throughout. New
high-mass steel chassis for
improved micro-phonics... adds
150% more mass!
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MINITORII-III -
New in Oct 2015
Installed UFO output
transformers for better
resolution and an impedance
switch that lets you hear your
speakers with both a HI and LO
impedance setting. An
ultra-serious upgrade to an
already incredible amp.
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This amplifier requires no
adjustments or maintenance other than
changing tubes every couple years. It's
a self-biasing design and dual mono
which means matched tubes are not
required.
Weight
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17
lbs. ea. |
Dimensions
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6.50"
H x 12.125" W x 9.125" D
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Circuit
type |
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Single-ended
Class A Pentode
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Power
output |
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3.9
watts RMS
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Input
voltage |
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1.0
volts for full output w/ 12AU7
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Noise
/ Hum |
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Too
low to hear |
Response
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20 Hz
~ 80 kHz |
Regulation
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OA3
and OC2 / tube voltage
regulation |
Rectification
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6CA4
tube rectification
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Output
tubes |
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6V6
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Signal
tube |
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12AU7
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Transformers
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Decware
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Biasing
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Self-Biasing
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AC
cord |
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Removable
power cord |
Consumption
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75
watts at full power
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Input
jacks |
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RCA
type 24K Gold / Teflon
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Output
jacks |
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5-way
binding-posts accept 12 gauge
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Speaker
dB/1w |
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90 dB
minimum / 94 dB is ideal
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Warranty
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Lifetime
to original owner
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Rear
connections
STEVE'S
DESIGN NOTES on the original 2009
amplifier.
Shown left with
an IPod to give you a sense of
scale.
The Mini Torii is small enough to fit on
your desk.
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