Amp For Planar Headphones

When it comes to amps for headphones with planars, you need something that has plenty of power to power them. Contrary to dynamic headphones which require very little power, planars are more power hungry and demand more voltage.

Find an amplifier that is compatible with a recommended range of impedance for headphones. The majority of amps will have this information on their specifications sheet or on their website.

AP10H+

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

In contrast to speakers, planar magnetic headphones are almost purely resistive loads, making them relatively easy to drive. They require a greater level of drive than that which can be provided by the majority of receivers. For them to reach their 130dB SPL rating they require 4V5 or 10V5 input at 1mW. Class A solid state amplifiers are the best option for them.

The AP10H+ comes with an output transformer that boosts the voltage as well as a volume-matching resistance that is suitable for headphones in 95% of cases. The AP10H+ can provide twice as much power to the 32 ohm dynamic headphones.

Nirvana IV

If you're looking for an amp that has a tube-like warm sound, then the Nirvana IV is the one for you. This powerful amplifier can drive planar magnetic planar headphones headphones with ease and offers a variety of output settings to accommodate most headphone impedances. It comes with an external power supply unit that is of high quality that supplies constant currents to the amplifier. The amplifier is manufactured in Serbia by Milomir Trosic and uses hand-made transformers that produce exceptional sound.

The Nirvana IV has a single-ended design that delivers 6.5W of pure class A power. It is capable of driving high-impedance headphones and can handle the HiFiMan SUSVARA open-back planar magnetic headphone easily. Its bass performance is excellent and has excellent dynamic depth. The Nirvana IV has a rich midrange, smooth highs, and a staggering amount of detail.

The amp is similar to the Auris ha-2SE and Headonia amplifiers however, it's a better one in general because it has a more precise and balanced sound. It can uncover hidden layers of music when used with the right headphone. It is also very enjoyable to listen to. Its balanced mode is impressive, since it adds a layer of warmth and smoothness to the sound that's hard to find in other headphone amps.

Many people who love 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 of heat, so you should choose one that has a robust cooling system. The Nirvana IV can be customized to suit the tastes of audiophiles.

The Cayin Ha-6A is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to experience the power and aesthetics of a tube amplifier at a low price. This amp is designed to work with a range of headphones and is compatible with most popular digital audio formats. Its output switch allows users to choose from three gain modes, which are suited for 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 product. It was developed (and manufactured) by Dennis Had, founder Cary Audio. And despite its crazy red paint job it has a timeless look to it that evokes classic tube gear.

The IHA-1 is compatible with any headphone because it uses the 6SN7 dual triodes for driving headphones. It also features transformer coupling on both inputs as well as the outputs. It's also compact and has an unobstructed signal path, without feedback loop.

The IHA-1 has a rich, harmonic sound that we've found to be appealing to listeners who love a rich listening experience. It's a great option for classical, alternative/indie and acoustic tracks. It's an excellent amp for pop, country, R&B, and rock. It can be a bit warm for genres that have lots of energy, such as EDM or Metal. It is possible to compensate for this by tube rolling.

The IHA-1 is not an exception to this rule. In general, headphones with higher sensitivity are more likely to work 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 produced a full and rounded sound, with side-to-side imaging that was remarkably precise. It also gave an illusion of three-dimensional space.

The standard IHA-1 includes a pair of 6SN7 Russian tubes. It is possible to upgrade it for $100 more to a new RCA GZ34. The GZ34 has a more warm sound than the 5Y3GT that was reissued, but a more organic and bassy sound. It also has a smooth treble response that's recessed enough to make most listening experiences glorious and fatigue-free.

The IHA-1's 3-D soundstage is especially apparent when paired up with the Focal headphones Utopia. The increased sense of space allowed the Focal's previously precise lateral imaging to expand outward and forward, revealing a vast sonic landscape. Listening to 'Nublado' from Sera Una Noche [MA Recordings, 16/44.1], for instance, was like wandering around a huge hall that just happened to have your headphones in it.

Cayin HA-6A

This tube headphone amp by Cayin is billed as an "Tube Rolling Paradise." It's a low-cost, portable amplifier that's surprisingly powerful. It can power headphones that are planar like the HiFiMan SUSVARA and sound great when paired up with dynamic headphones such as Audio-Technica ATH-A1000X. It's also extremely scalable which makes it a great choice for music lovers with various listening preferences.

The HA-6A is a transformer-coupled design with output transformers matched to provide real balanced output. The power supply is fully controlled, which decreases the ripple effect of voltage amplification. The circuitry is hand-crafted with point-to-point wielding and high-quality wires, resulting in superior clarity and signal integrity. This amp also comes with an ultra-high-quality UV meter which displays the signal's levels.

The HA-6A has a switchable ultralinear/triode mode that lets you customize the sound to suit your preferences. If you're looking for a full, warm, and musical sound, you can use the EL34 tubes in triode mode with medium output impedance. On the other hand, if want an exceptionally fast and detailed sound with plenty of power you should use a pair KT88 tubes in ultra-linear mode with low output impedance.

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

This amp also comes with an enormous custom-designed transformer that has premium nickel plating. This ensures the amplifier is robust and Magnetic Planar Headphones durable. It also has an ingenious current adjustment that allows it to match the impedance of various headphones.

In contrast to the Schiit Vali 2+, the Cayin HA-6A has a bit of a tube-like bloom and sound stage that's not quite as large or as detailed. It also has a much quicker decay time than the Vali 2+ and a more neutral tone overall. It has a more forward midrange with more bass and better detail than the Vali 2+, but it doesn't have the same amount of treble extension.