Amp For Planar Headphones

You want an amp that can power planar magnetic headphone headphones with plenty of power. Planar headphones require more voltage and power than dynamic headphones, which require just a small amount of current.

Look for an amp that has an impedance range that is recommended for headphone use. Most will have this listed on their spec sheet or on their website.

AP10H+

The NVA AP10H+ is a headphone amplifier designed and hand made in Great Britain. It is an amplifier with a lot of power that can power almost any headphone planar (and some dynamic headphones) available regardless of their impedance or sensitivity. Its high-voltage and current output will also give you a dynamic headroom that is an impressive sound.

In contrast to speakers, planar magnetic headphones are essentially resistive loads, which makes them easy to drive. However, they require more power than most receivers can achieve. In order to achieve their 130dB SPL rating they require 4V5 or 10V5 input at 1mW. This is why class A solid state amps are the best option for them.

The AP10H+ comes with an output transformer that boosts the voltage to a much greater degree, and comes with a volume-matching resistor that can be used with the majority of headphones. The AP10H+ can provide twice as much power to a pair 32 ohm dynamic headphones.

Nirvana IV

If you're looking for an amp that has a tube-like warm sound signature then the Nirvana IV is the one for you. This powerful amplifier is capable of driving driver planar magnetic headphones with ease and offers a variety of output settings to accommodate the majority of headphone impedances. It comes with an external power supply unit of top quality that supplies constant currents to the amplifier. The amplifier was developed in Serbia by Milomir Trosic, and it uses hand-made transformators that provide extraordinary musicality.

The Nirvana IV has a single-ended design that delivers 6.5W of pure class A power. It can drive a high-impedance headphone and can handle the HiFiMan Susvara planar magnet open-back headphone easily. Its bass performance is outstanding and has excellent dynamic depth. 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 amplifier but it's more effective overall due to its greater clarity and precision, as well as more balanced sound. When paired with the right headphones, it will reveal the hidden layers of music, and is very enjoyable to listen to. Its balanced mode is especially impressive, adding a layer texture and warmth that is difficult for other headphone amplifiers to match.

Many enthusiasts of headphones enjoy the warm sound of vacuum tube amplifiers. However, they can be difficult to use and require a substantial investment. They also generate a lot of heat, so choose one that has a robust cooling mechanism. The Nirvana IV can be customized to meet the preferences of audiophiles.

The Cayin Ha-6A is a great option for anyone who wants to experience the power and aesthetics of a tube amplifier at an affordable price. This amplifier can be used with many different headphone types and is compatible with most popular digital audio formats. The output switch lets you to choose between three gain modes, which are suited for low, medium and high-impedance headphone. It includes a remote as well as an external power source.

Dragon Inspire IHA-1

The Dragon Inspire IHA-1 is a serious hi-fi product. It was developed (and manufactured) by Dennis Had, founder Cary Audio. And despite its crazy red paint job it has a timeless appearance that's reminiscent of classic tube equipment.

The IHA-1 is compatible with every headphone since it utilizes a pair 6SN7 dual triodes to drive headphones. It also features transformer coupling on both inputs and outputs. It is also compact and has an unobstructed signal path, without any feedback loop.

The IHA-1 has a full, headphone planar harmonic sound that we've found to be a hit with those who appreciate a full listening experience. It's a great option for classical, indie/alternative and acoustic music. It's an excellent amp for Headphone Planar tracks in pop, country, R&B, and rock. It may be a bit warm for genres with lots of energy, like EDM or Metal. It is possible to compensate for this with tube rolling.

The IHA-1 isn't an exception to this rule. In general, headphones that have higher sensitivity are more likely to work with tube amplifiers. We tested the IHA-1 with a variety of headphone models, including the Focal, HiFiMan HE-560, and Grado RS-1. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 delivered a full and rounded sound with astonishingly precise lateral imaging as well as a three-dimensional sense of space that was truly enthralling.

The standard IHA-1 comes with two Russian 6SN7 tubes. However, it can be upgraded to an original RCA GZ34 tube for an extra $100. The GZ34 is warmer than the 5Y3GT that was reissued and has a more organic sound with plenty of bass. It also has a sweet response to treble that is recessed enough for the majority of listening experiences to be glorious and unflagging.

The IHA-1's 3D soundstage is especially apparent when paired up with the Focal headphones Utopia. The Focal's already precise imaging was able to expand outwards and forwards and reveal a vast soundscape. Listening to "Nublado" from Sera Una Noche (MA Recordings 16/44.1) was like walking through a vast hall with headphones.

Cayin HA-6A

This affordable tube headphone amplifier from Cayin is a portable amp with surprising power. It can drive headphones that are planar like the HiFiMan SUSVARA easily and also sounds great when used with headphones that are dynamic, such as the Audio-Technica ATH A1000X. It's also extremely scalable which makes it a great option for those with a variety of listening preferences.

The HA-6A is a transformer-coupled design with matched output transformers that give real balanced output. The power supply has also been completely controlled to limit the ripple effect caused by voltage amplification. The circuitry is made by hand with premium wires and point-topoint handling, resulting in greater clarity and signal integrity. This amp has a top-quality UV meter that can display signal levels.

The HA-6A comes with the option of switching between triode and ultralinear modes to provide a different sound experience depending on your requirements. If you're looking for a full warm, warm, and musical sound, run the EL34 tubes in triode mode with moderate output impedance. On the other hand, if you require a blazingly precise and fast sound with plenty of muscle you should use a pair KT88 tubes in ultra-linear mode, with a low output impedance.

The HA-6A is a tube with an option of rectification option for those who prefer a neutral sound. This improves the overall sonic performance of the amplifier. This feature is ideal for users who listen to a range of genres, from hip-hop and EDM to classical and orchestral music.

This amp also features a custom-designed transformer with premium nickel plating. This makes the amplifier rugged and robust. It also features an innovative current adjustment feature that will allow you to match the impedances of different headphones.

The Cayin Ha-6A unlike the Schiit Vali 2+ has some tube bloom. The soundstage isn't as detailed or large. It also has a much faster decay time than Vali 2+ and a more neutral tone overall. It also has a forward-looking midrange that has more detail and a higher bass than the Vali 2+. However, it does not have the same amount of treble.