Amp For Planar Headphones

When it comes to amps that are suitable for headphones with planars, you need something with plenty of power to power them. Contrary to dynamic headphones which require only a tiny amount of current, planars are much more power hungry and demand more voltage.

Find an amplifier with a recommended range of impedance for headphones. This will be listed on the spec sheet or their website.

AP10H+

The NVA AP10H+ is a headphone amplifier developed and hand made in Great Britain. It is an extremely powerful amplifier that can be used to drive virtually any planar headphone (and some dynamic headphones) available, regardless of their impedance and sensitivity. Its high current and voltage output will also provide an exceptional dynamic headroom to create an amazing sound.

Planar magnetic headphones unlike speakers, are almost entirely resistive loads. They are therefore relatively easy to drive. They require a higher amount of drive than what can be produced by most receivers. To reach their rated 130dB SPL, they must have 4V5-10V5 at 1mW of input. Class A solid state amplifiers are the best choice for them.

The AP10H+ has an output transformer that boosts the power to a higher level, and it comes with a volume-matching resistor that can be used with 95% of headphones. The AP10H+ is able to deliver twice as much power to an earphone with a 32 ohm frequency. headphones.

Nirvana IV

If you are 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 planar magnetic headphones with ease and comes with a range of output settings to accommodate most headphones with different impedances. It is equipped with an external power supply unit of top quality that delivers constant currents to the amplifier. The amplifier is made 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 can drive high-impedance headphones and is able to handle the HiFiMan Susvara open-back planar magnetic planar speakers (http://littleyaksa.yodev.net) headphone easily. Its bass and dynamic depth are outstanding. The Nirvana IV also provides a rich midrange that is smooth with silky highs and a staggering amount of detail.

The amp is comparable to the Auris ha-2SE and Headonia amplifiers however, it's a superior one in general, as it has more precise and balanced sound. When paired with the right headphone, it can reveal hidden layers of music and is a joy to listen to. Its balanced mode is especially impressive, adding a layer of warmth and tube smoothness that is difficult for other headphone amplifiers to match.

Many enthusiasts of headphones appreciate the warm sound of vacuum tube amplifiers. They can be difficult to operate and require a significant investment. In addition, they produce lots of heat, so you should choose one with a robust cooling system. The Nirvana IV can be customized to suit the tastes of audiophiles.

The Cayin HA-6A is an excellent option for anyone who wants to feel the power of a tube amplifier at a low cost. The amplifier is designed to work with a variety of headphones and is compatible with most popular digital audio formats. Its output switch allows users to choose from three gain settings that are suited for low, medium and high-impedance headphones. It also has a remote control and an external power supply.

Dragon Inspire IHA-1

The Dragon Inspire IHA-1 has serious audio heritage - it was designed by (and is manufactured under the watchful eyes of) Dennis Had, founder of Cary Audio. And despite its crazy red paint, it has a timeless design that evokes classic tube equipment.

The IHA-1 uses a pair of dual triodes that are 6SN7 to drive headphones. It also includes transformer coupling at 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.

In our experience, the IHA-1 produces a full and acoustic sound that will please listeners who prefer an immersive listening experience with lush music. It's a great choice for classical, magnetic Planar Speakers alternative/indie and acoustic tracks. It's also a great amp for pop, magnetic planar Speakers country rock, R&B tracks. However, it's a bit on the warm side for high-energy genres such as EDM and Metal. Tube rolling can help you make up for the warmth.

The IHA-1 is not an exception to this rule. In general, headphones with greater sensitiveness tend to be compatible with tube amplifiers. We tested it with 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 delivered a full and rounded sound with astonishingly precise lateral imaging as well as a three-dimensional sense of space that was truly amazing.

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

The IHA-1's remarkable 3-D soundstage was evident when paired with the Focal Utopia headphones. The more spacious sound enabled the Focal's already precise lateral imaging to expand outward and forward, creating a vast soundscape. Listening to the track 'Nublado' from Sera Una Noche [MA Recordings, 16/44.1], for instance, was akin to walking around a vast hall that happened to have your headphones in it.

Cayin HA-6A

This budget-friendly tube headphone amplifier from Cayin is a portable amp with a surprising amount of power. It can drive headphones with a planar magnetic iem design like the HiFiMan SUSVARA and sound great when used with dynamic headphones like the Audio-Technica ATH-A1000X. It's also extremely scalable, making it a good choice for music lovers with a variety of listening preferences.

The HA-6A has a transformer-coupled construction with output transformers that are matched to give a balanced output. The power supply has been fully regulated to reduce the ripple effect that is 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 features a high-grade, UV meter to display the signal strength.

The HA-6A comes with a switchable ultralinear/triode mode that allows you to customize the sound to suit your needs. If you're looking for a warm, rich sound, choose the EL34 tubes which have an output impedance of medium in triode mode. If you are looking for a quick, detailed sound, with plenty of power and power, then choose KT88 tubes set to ultra-linear, with a low output impedance.

For those who prefer more neutral sound, the HA-6A features an option of tube rectification that improves the overall sound 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.

This amp is also designed with a large, custom-made output transformer that offers high-grade nickel plating. This makes the amplifier rugged and durable. It also features an innovative current adjustment which 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 large or detailed. It also has a much faster decay time than Vali 2+ and an overall more neutral tone. It has an advanced midrange that has better detail and more bass than the Vali 2+, but it does not have as much extension in the treble.