Amp For Planar Headphones

You want an amp that can drive planar headphones with plenty of power. Contrary to dynamic headphones which require a small amount of current, planars are much more power hungry and demand more voltage.

Find an amplifier with a recommended range of headphone impedance. The majority of amps will have this information on their specifications sheet or on their website.

AP10H+

The NVA AP10H+ is a headphone amplifier that was designed and made by hand in Great Britain. It is a powerhouse that can power virtually any pair of planar headphones (and some dynamic ones) available, regardless of their impedance or sensitivity. Its high voltage output and current will also provide a stunning dynamic headroom, which produces an amazing sound.

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

The AP10H+ has an output transformer that raises the voltage to a much higher level, and it includes a volume matching resistor that is suitable for 95% of headphones. The AP10H+ can deliver twice as much power to a pair 32 ohm dynamic headphones.

Nirvana IV

The Nirvana IV tube amp has a warm sound signature. This powerful amplifier can drive planar magnetic headphones with ease and has a wide range of output settings to accommodate most headphones with different impedances. It also comes with a high-end external power supply unit that delivers constant current to the amplifier. The amplifier is manufactured in Serbia by Milomir Trosic and uses hand-made transformers that provide exceptional musicality.

The Nirvana IV is a single-ended amplifier that can deliver 6.5W pure power in class A. It can easily drive high-impedance headphones and is able to handle the HiFiMan SUSVARA planar open-back magnetic headphone effortlessly. Its bass quality is superb and offers great dynamic depth. The Nirvana IV also provides a rich midrange that is smooth with smooth highs and an impressive amount of detail.

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

Vacuum tube amplifiers are very popular for headphone lovers since they offer a warm sound that people appreciate. They aren't easy to operate and require an extensive 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 using a variety of different tubes.

The Cayin HA-6A is a good alternative for those who want to experience the power of a tube amp but with a price that isn't too expensive. This amplifier is designed to work with a range of headphones and is compatible with the majority of popular digital audio formats. Its output switch allows you to choose between three gain modes, planar Magnetic iem which are suited to medium, low and high-impedance headphone. It also has a remote control as well as an external power supply.

Dragon Inspire IHA-1

The Dragon Inspire IHA-1 is a serious hi-fi pedigree - it was designed by (and is manufactured under the watchful eyes of) Dennis Had, founder of Cary Audio. It has a timeless appearance that is reminiscent of classic tube equipment, despite its bizarre red paint job.

The IHA-1 is compatible with any headphone as it uses a pair 6SN7 dual triodes for driving headphones. It also has transformer coupling on both inputs as well as outputs. It's also very compact and has a clear signal path with no feedback loop.

In our experience, the IHA-1 produces a full and acoustic sound that is sure to please those who want an immersive listening experience with lush music. It's a great choice for classical, indie/alternative and acoustic music. It's also a great amplifier for pop, country and rock R&B tracks. However, it's a little warm side for high-energy genres like EDM and Metal. You can make up for this with tube rolling.

The IHA-1 is not an exception to this rule. In general, headphones with higher sensitiveness tend to be compatible with tube amplifiers. We tested it with a wide selection of headphones, including the Focal Clear HiFiMan HE-560, Grado RS-1, and Mr. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 provided a full and round sound, with lateral imaging that was impressively precise. It also gave a sense of three-dimensional space.

The standard IHA-1 comes with a pair of Russian 6SN7 tubes. It is possible to upgrade it by $100 to a NOS RCA GZ34. The GZ34 has a warmer tone than the 5Y3GT that was reissued, but it has a more natural and bassy sound. It also has a lovely response to the treble that is sufficiently recessed for the majority of listening experiences to be glorious and free of fatigue.

The IHA-1's amazing 3-D soundstage is particularly evident when it was paired with the Focal Utopia headphones. The Focal's already precise soundstage could expand forwards and outwards, revealing an expansive soundscape. Listening to 'Nublado' from Sera Una Noche [MA Recordings, 16/44.1], for instance, was akin to being in a hall that just happened to contain your headphones.

Cayin HA-6A

The tube headphone amplifier from Cayin is marketed as a "Tube Rolling Paradise." It's a budget, portable amplifier that's surprisingly powerful. It's capable of driving planar Magnetic iem headphones such as the HiFiMan SUSVARA with ease, and it is also great with dynamic headphones like the Audio-Technica ATH A1000X. It's also extremely scalable which makes it a great choice for music lovers who have different preferences in their music.

The HA-6A features a transformer-coupled design with matched outputs transformers in order to ensure a balanced output. The power supply is fully controlled, which decreases the ripple effect of voltage amplifying. The circuit is designed by hand using point-to-point wielding and premium wires, which results in better quality and integrity of the signal as well as transparency. This amp features a high-grade UV meter that displays signal levels.

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

For those who prefer more neutral sound, HA-6A has an optional tube rectification feature that improves the overall sonic quality of the amplifier. This feature is perfect for users who listen to a range of genres, ranging from hip-hop and EDM to classical and orchestral music.

The amp also has an enormous custom-designed transformer that has premium nickel plating. This makes the amplifier durable and robust. It also features an innovative current adjustment that can match the impedance of headphones.

The Cayin Ha-6A unlike the Schiit Vali 2+ has a tiny bit of tube bloom. Its soundstage isn't as detailed or large. It has a quicker decay time and Planar Magnetic Iem more neutral sound than the Vali 2. It has an asymmetrical midrange, with more bass and better detail than the Vali 2+, but it doesn't have the same amount of extension in the treble.