Amp For Planar Headphones

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

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

AP10H+

The NVA AP10H+ headphone amplifier is built by hand Sennheiser HD 600: Immerse in Hi-Fi Audio Great Britain. It is an extremely powerful amplifier that can be used to drive virtually every planar headphone (and some dynamic headphones) on the market, regardless of their impedance or sensitivity. Its high voltage and current output will also give you a dynamic headroom that is impressive sound.

Unlike speakers, planar magnetic headphones are essentially resistive loads and thus relatively easy to drive. However, they require much more power than most receivers can achieve. To achieve their rated 130dB SPL, they require 4V5 to 10V5 at 1mW of input. This is why solid state amplifiers in class A are the best option for them.

The AP10H+ comes with an output transformer that boosts the voltage to a much greater degree, and has a volume matching resistor that can be used with 95% of headphones. The AP10H+ can deliver twice the power of the 32 ohm dynamic headphones.

Nirvana IV

If you are looking for a tube amp with a warm sound profile, Magnetic Planar speakers then the Nirvana IV is the one for you. This powerful amplifier can drive planar magnetic planar speakers (link webpage) headphones effortlessly and has a wide range of output modes to support the majority of headphones with different impedances. It has an external power supply unit of high quality that delivers constant currents to the amplifier. The amplifier was designed in Serbia by Milomir Trosic and uses hand-made transformers that offer exceptional musicality.

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

This amp can be compared 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. It can uncover hidden layers of music when paired with the right headphone. It is also very enjoyable to listen. Its balanced mode is particularly impressive, since it adds a layer of warmth and smoothness to the sound, which is hard to discover in other headphone amplifiers.

Vacuum tube amplifiers are popular among headphone enthusiasts because they offer a warm sound that people appreciate. They aren't easy to operate and require a large investment. In addition, they produce plenty of heat, so you should choose one with a robust cooling system. The Nirvana IV is a good option for audiophiles who are more discerning, as it can be customized with a variety of different tubes.

The Cayin HA-6A is a good option for anyone who wants to experience the power of a tube amp at a low cost. The amplifier is compatible with many different headphone types and is compatible with the most popular digital audio formats. The output switch lets you select between three gain settings that are suitable for headphones with low, medium and high impedance. It also has the ability to control the remote and an external power supply.

Dragon Inspire IHA-1

The Dragon Inspire IHA-1 has serious hi-fi pedigree it was created by (and is manufactured under the watchful eye of) Dennis Had, founder of Cary Audio. And despite its bizarre red paint scheme it has a classic appearance that's reminiscent of classic tube gear.

The IHA-1 utilizes a pair dual triodes that are 6SN7 to drive headphones and has transformer coupling on both outputs and inputs which makes it compatible with almost any headphone. It's also compact and has a clear signal path with no feedback loop.

The IHA-1 has a full and acoustic sound that we've discovered to be appealing to listeners who enjoy a lush listening experience. It's a great choice for classical, indie/alternative and the acoustic genres. It's a great amplifier for pop, country, R&B, and rock. However, it could be a bit on the warm side for high-energy genres such as EDM and Metal. Tube rolling can help you compensate for the warmth.

In general higher-sensitivity headphones are likely to mate well with tube amplifiers and the IHA-1 is no exception. We tested the IHA-1 on various headphone models, including the Focal, HiFiMan HE-560 and Grado RS-1. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 offered a full round sound, with an impressively precise lateral imaging as well as a three-dimensional sense of space that was truly revelatory.

The standard IHA-1 comes with a pair of Russian 6SN7 tubes. However, it can be upgraded to an original RCA GZ34 tube for an additional $100. The GZ34 is more warm than the 5Y3GT that was reissued, but it has a more natural sound with plenty of bass. It also has a sweet response to the treble that is sufficiently recessed for most listening experiences to be glorious and free of fatigue.

The IHA-1's 3-D soundstage is especially apparent when paired up with the Focal headphones Utopia. The more spacious sound enabled the Focal's already precise lateral imaging to expand outward and forward, revealing an expansive soundscape. Listening to "Nublado" from Sera Una Noche (MA Recordings 16/44.1) was like wandering through a vast space with your headphones.

Cayin HA-6A

The tube headphone amplifier from Cayin is advertised as an "Tube Rolling Paradise." It's an affordable, portable amplifier that's surprisingly powerful. It can drive headphones that are planar like the HiFiMan SUSVARA with ease, and it is also great with headphones that are dynamic, such as the Audio-Technica ATH A1000X. It's also extremely scalable and therefore a great option for music lovers with different preferences in listening.

The HA-6A is a transformer-coupled device with matched outputs transformers in order to provide a true balanced output. The power supply has been completely controlled to limit the ripple effect resulting from voltage amplifying. The circuit is designed by hand using point to point wielding and high-quality wires, resulting in superior signal integrity and transparency. This amp also comes with an ultra-high-quality UV meter which displays the signal's levels.

HA-6A features a switchable triode/ultralinear mode to provide a different sound experience based on your needs. If you're looking for an enveloping, rich sound, choose the EL34 tubes that have moderate output impedance when in triode mode. If you are looking for a quick and precise sound with plenty of muscle and power, then choose KT88 tubes set to ultra-linear with low output impedance.

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

The amp is also constructed with a large, Magnetic Planar speakers custom-made output transformer that offers high-grade nickel plating. This makes the amplifier rugged and durable. It also features an innovative current adjustment that can adjust the impedance of various headphones.

In contrast to the Schiit Vali 2+, the Cayin HA-6A has a bit of a tube bloom as well as a sound stage that isn't as wide or as precise. It also has a quicker decay time than the Vali 2+ and an overall more neutral tone. It has an asymmetrical midrange, with more bass and better detail than the Vali 2+, but it does not have the same amount of treble extension.