Amp For Planar Headphones

When it comes to amps for headphones with planars, you need something with plenty of power to power them. Planar headphones require higher power and voltage than dynamic headphones, which only need only a tiny amount of current.

Look for an amplifier that has a recommended range of headphone impedance. This will be listed on the spec sheet or their website.

AP10H+

The NVA AP10H+ headphone amplifier was created and manufactured by hand in Great Britain. It is a powerful amplifier that can be used to drive virtually any planar headphone (and some dynamic headphones) available regardless of their impedance or sensitivity. Its high voltage and current output will give you a dynamic headroom that is an outstanding sound.

planar magnetic technology magnetic planar speakers headphones unlike speakers, magnetic planar are almost entirely resistive loads. They are, therefore, relatively easy to drive. However, they require higher levels of drive than most receivers can achieve. To achieve their 130dB SPL, they need 4V5-10V5 at 1mW of input. Class A solid state amplifiers are the best option for them.

The AP10H+ has an output transformer that raises the power to a greater degree, and comes with a volume-matching resistor that works with 95percent of headphones. This allows the AP10H+ to deliver more than double the amount of power to the 32 ohms of dynamic headphones.

Nirvana IV

The Nirvana IV tube amp has a warm sound signature. This powerful amplifier can power headphones with magnetic planar design easily and magnetic planar has a variety of output modes that work with the majority of headphone impedances. It also has a top-quality external power supply unit that supplies constant current to the amplifier. The amplifier was designed in Serbia by Milomir Trosic, and it uses hand-made transformators that provide incredible musicality.

The Nirvana IV is a single-ended amplifier that produces 6.5W pure power of class A. It is capable of driving high-impedance headphones and is able to handle the HiFiMan SUSVARA open-back planar magnetic headphone effortlessly. Its bass performance and dynamic depth are outstanding. The Nirvana IV has a rich mid-range, smooth highs and a staggering amount of detail.

The amp is comparable to the Auris ha-2SE and Headonia amplifiers however, it's a better one in general, as it has a more balanced and precise sound. It can reveal hidden layers in music when paired with the correct headphone. It is also very enjoyable to listen. Its balanced mode is impressive, since it adds a layer of warmth and tube smoothness to the sound that is difficult to discover in other headphone amplifiers.

Many headphone enthusiasts enjoy the warm sound of vacuum tube amplifiers. They can be difficult to operate and require a large investment. Additionally, they generate lots of heat, so it is important to choose one with a robust cooling system. The Nirvana IV is a good choice for those who are discerning about their audiophiles as it can be customized with a variety of different tubes.

The Cayin Ha-6A is an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy the power and elegance of a tube amplifier at affordable cost. This amp can be used with many different headphone types and it is compatible with most popular digital audio formats. The output switch lets you choose among three gain settings that work with headphones with medium, low or high impedance. It also includes a remote control and an external power supply.

Dragon Inspire IHA-1

The Dragon Inspire IHA-1 is a serious hi-fi product. It was created (and manufactured) by Dennis Had, founder Cary Audio. In spite of its sexy red paint scheme, it has a timeless appearance that is reminiscent of vintage tube gear.

The IHA-1 makes use of a pair of 6SN7 dual triodes to power headphones and includes transformer coupling on both outputs and inputs making it compatible with almost any headphone. It is also small and has a clear signal path without any feedback loop.

We've found that the IHA-1 produces a full and balanced sound that will please listeners who like a full listening experience that is accompanied by lush music. It's a great choice for classical, alternative/indie and Acoustic tracks. It's a great amp for tracks in pop country, R&B, and rock. However, it's slightly warmer side for genres with high energy such as EDM and Metal. Tube rolling can help to offset the warmth.

The IHA-1 isn't an exception to this rule. In general, headphones with greater sensitiveness tend to be compatible with tube amplifiers. We tried it on a wide variety of models for headphone including the Focal Clear, HiFiMan HE-560, Grado RS-1, and Mr. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 provided a rich, rounded sound with impressively precise lateral imaging as well as a three-dimensional sense of space that was truly enthralling.

The standard IHA-1 comes with a pair of 6SN7 Russian tubes. It can be upgraded for $100 more to a brand new RCA GZ34. The GZ34 has a warmer tone than the 5Y3GT that was reissued, but a more organic and bassy sound. It also has a lovely response to the treble that is not too recessed to allow the majority of listening experiences to be stunning and free of fatigue.

The IHA-1's 3-D soundstage is particularly evident when paired with the Focal headphones Utopia. The Focal's already precise image was able to expand outwards and forwards and reveal a vast soundscape. Listening to the track 'Nublado' from Sera Una Noche [MA Recordings, 16/44.1], for instance, was like being in a hall that just happened to have your headphones in it.

Cayin HA-6A

This budget-friendly tube headphone amplifier from Cayin is a portable amplifier with surprising power. It can drive planar headphones like the HiFiMan SUSVARA and sound great when paired up with dynamic headphones, such as the Audio-Technica's ATH-A1000X. It's also highly adaptable and is a good choice for music enthusiasts with diverse preferences for listening.

The HA-6A is a transformer-coupled model with output transformers matched to give true balanced output. The power supply is fully controlled, which minimizes the ripple impact of voltage amplifying. The circuitry is designed by hand using premium wires and point-to-point handling, resulting in greater clarity and signal integrity. This amp also features an ultra-high-quality UV meter which shows the signal level.

HA-6A features an option to switch between ultralinear and triode modes to provide a different sound experience depending on your preferences. If you want a rich warm, warm, and melodious sound, use the EL34 tubes in triode mode with medium output impedance. If you want a fast and precise sound with lots of muscle and power, then choose KT88 tubes set to ultra-linear with low output impedance.

HA-6A offers an optional tube rectification feature for those who prefer an unison sound. This enhances the overall sonic performance of the amplifier. This feature is ideal for people who listen to a wide range of genres, from hip-hop and EDM to classical and orchestral music.

This amp also features a large custom-made transformer with high-grade nickel plating. This makes sure that the amplifier is robust and durable. It also has an innovative current adjustment which can match the impedances of various headphones.

The Cayin Ha-6A, unlike the Schiit Vali 2+ has a little bit of tube bloom. The sound stage is also not as detailed or large. It also has a much quicker decay time than the Vali 2+ and a more neutral tone overall. It has a forward midrange, with more detail and more bass, than the Vali 2+. However it doesn't have the same amount of treble.