Amp For Planar Headphones

When it comes to amps for headphones designed for planar, you'll need one with enough power to drive them. Unlike dynamic headphones that require a small amount of current, planars are much more demanding in terms of power and require more voltage.

Find an amplifier with a recommended range of impedance for headphones. This can be found on the specs sheet or on their website.

AP10H+

The NVA AP10H+ is a headphone amplifier developed and made by hand in Great Britain. It is a beast that can drive virtually all planar headphones (and some of the more dynamic ones) available, regardless of their impedance or sensitivity. Its high voltage and current output can provide exceptional dynamic headroom for impressive sound.

In contrast to speakers, planar closed back headphones magnetic headphones are almost purely resistive loads and thus relatively easy to drive. However, they require more power than most receivers can achieve. To achieve their 130dB SPL, they must have 4V5 to 10V5 at 1mW of input. Class A solid state amplifiers are the best option for them.

The AP10H+ features an output transformer that boosts the voltage to a much higher level, and it includes a volume matching resistor that works with the majority of headphones. The AP10H+ can provide twice as much power to a pair 32 ohm dynamic headphones.

Nirvana IV

The Nirvana IV tube amp has an enveloping sound. This powerful amplifier can drive planar headphone magnetic headphones easily and has a variety of output options that can accommodate most headphone impedances. It also comes with a high-end external power supply unit that provides constant current to the amplifier. The amplifier was developed in Serbia by Milomir Trosic, and it uses hand-made transformators that provide incredible musicality.

The Nirvana IV is a single-ended amplifier that delivers 6.5W pure class A power. It can drive high-impedance headphone and is capable to handle the HiFiMan Susvara planar magnet open-back headphone effortlessly. Its bass performance and dynamic depth are excellent. The Nirvana IV also provides a rich midrange, with silky highs and a staggering amount of detail.

This amp can be compared to the Auris Ha-2SE as well as the Headonia amplifier but it's more effective overall due to its greater clarity and precision, as well as more balanced sound. It can uncover hidden layers of music when paired with the correct headphone. It is also very enjoyable to listen to. Its balanced mode is impressive, adding a layer warmth and tube smoothness that is hard for other headphone amplifiers to match.

Many enthusiasts of headphones love the warm, rich sound of vacuum tube amplifiers. They aren't easy to operate and require a large investment. They also produce a lot heat, so make sure you choose one with a sturdy cooling mechanism. The Nirvana IV is a good option for discerning audiophiles, because it can be customized using a variety of different tubes.

The Cayin HA-6A is a good choice for anyone looking to enjoy the power of a tube amp but with a price that isn't too expensive. This amp can be used with a variety of headphone models, and is compatible with most popular digital audio formats. The output switch lets you select between three gain settings suitable for headphones with medium, low or high impedance. 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 created (and manufactured) by Dennis Had, founder Cary Audio. Its design is timeless that evokes classic tube equipment, despite the bizarre red paint job.

The IHA-1 is compatible with every headphone as it uses a pair 6SN7 dual triodes for driving headphones. It also has transformer coupling on both inputs and outputs. It's also quite compact and has a clear signal path that doesn't have a feedback loop.

We've found that the IHA-1 produces a full and acoustic sound that will appeal to those who want an immersive listening experience with a rich and enveloping music. It's a great option for classical, indie/alternative, and acoustic music. It's also a great choice for pop, country and rock R&B tracks. However, it can be slightly warmer side for high-energy genres such as EDM and Metal. You can compensate for this by tube rolling.

The IHA-1 isn't an exception to this rule. Sundara HiFiMAN: Immerse in High-Fidelity Headphone Excellence - browse around these guys, general, headphones that have higher sensitiveness tend to be compatible with tube amplifiers. We tested it using a broad range of headphone models which included the Focal Clear, HiFiMan HE-560, Grado RS-1, and Mr. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 provided a full and round sound, with a lateral imaging that was impressively precise. It also created the illusion of three-dimensionality.

The standard IHA-1 comes with two Russian 6SN7 tubes. It can however be upgraded to an original RCA GZ34 tube for an additional $100. The GZ34 has a more warm sound than the reissue 5Y3GT but has a more natural and bassy sound. It also has a sweet treble response that's recessed enough to make the majority of listening experiences amazing and a breeze to wear.

The IHA-1's impressive 3-D soundstage was particularly apparent when coupled with the Focal Utopia headphones. The more spacious sound allowed the Focal's previously precise lateral imaging to extend outward and forward, creating a vast sonic landscape. Listening to "Nublado" from Sera Una Noche (MA Recordings 16/44.1) was like walking through a large hall with headphones.

Cayin HA-6A

This tube headphone amp from Cayin is marketed as a "Tube Rolling Paradise." It's an affordable portable amplifier that's quite powerful. It can drive planar headphones such as the HiFiMan SUSVARA effortlessly and is also great with headphones that are dynamic, such as the Audio-Technica ATH A1000X. It is 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 that are matched to offer true balanced output. The power supply has been fully regulated to reduce the ripple effect caused by voltage amplifying. The circuitry is made by hand with the finest wires and point-to-point wielding, resulting in superior transparency and signal integrity. This amp also features an ultra-high-quality UV meter which displays signal levels.

The HA-6A comes with an ultralinear/triode switchable mode that lets you customize the sound to suit your preferences. If you want an authentic, warm sound, you can use the EL34 tubes that have moderate output impedance when in triode mode. If you're looking for a fast and precise sound with lots of muscle then you should use KT88 tubes set to ultra-linear, with a low output impedance.

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

The amp is also constructed with a large, custom-made output transformer that features high-quality nickel plating. This ensures that the amplifier is robust and durable. It also features an innovative current adjustment that matches the impedance of different headphones.

The Cayin Ha-6A unlike the Schiit Vali 2+ has a little bit of tube bloom. Its soundstage isn't as big or detailed. It also has a faster decay time than the Vali 2+ and it has a more neutral tone overall. It has an asymmetrical midrange, with better detail and sundara Hifiman: immerse in High-fidelity headphone Excellence more bass than the Vali 2+, but it doesn't have as much extension of the treble.