Amp For Planar Headphones

When it comes to amps for headphones designed for planar, you'll need something with plenty of power to drive them. Contrary to dynamic headphones which require a small amount of power, planars are more demanding in terms of power and require more voltage.

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

AP10H+

The NVA AP10H+ headphone amplifier was built by hand in Great Britain. It is an amplifier with a lot of power that can drive almost any headphone planar (and some dynamic headphones) on the market, regardless of their impedance and sensitivity. Its high-voltage and current output will also give you a dynamic headroom that is an impressive sound.

In contrast to speakers, planar magnetic headphones are almost purely resistive loads, making them relatively easy to drive. However, they require more power than most receivers can produce. To reach their 130dB SPL, they require either 4V5 or 10V5 input at 1mW. This is why class A solid state amps are the best option for them.

The AP10H+ has an output transformer that boosts the voltage as well as a volume matching resistance that is suitable for headphones in 85% of cases. This enables the AP10H+ to deliver more than twice the amount of power to 32 ohms dynamic headphones.

Nirvana IV

If you love a tube amp with a warm sound signature then the Nirvana IV is the one for you. This powerful amplifier is capable of driving magnetic planar speakers headphones that are planar with ease and has a wide range of output settings to accommodate most headphones with different impedances. It has an external power supply unit of top quality that delivers constant currents to the amplifier. The amplifier was made in Serbia by Milomir Trosic, and it utilizes hand-crafted transformators that offer incredible musicality.

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 with ease. The bass response and dynamic range are superb. The Nirvana IV also provides a rich midrange, with soft highs and an amazing amount of detail.

The amp is similar to the Auris ha-2SE and Headonia amplifiers, but it's a better one in general, as it has a more balanced and precise sound. It can reveal hidden layers in music when paired with the correct headphone. It's also enjoyable to listen to. Its balanced mode is impressive, adding a layer of warmth and smoothness that's hard for other headphone amplifiers to achieve.

Many headphone enthusiasts enjoy the warm sound of vacuum tube amplifiers. However, they can be difficult to use and require a significant investment. In addition, they produce a lot of heat, so it is essential to select one with a strong 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 experience the power of a tube amplifier but with a price that isn't too expensive. The amplifier is compatible with various types of headphones and is compatible with most popular digital audio formats. The output switch lets you select between three gain settings that work with headphones that have medium, low and high impedance. It also includes the ability to control the remote and an external power supply.

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. And despite its crazy red paint it has a classic appearance that's reminiscent of classic tube gear.

The IHA-1 makes use of a pair of 6SN7 dual triodes to drive headphones. It also includes transformer coupling at both inputs and outputs which makes it compatible with nearly every headphone. It is also compact and has a clear signal path without feedback loop.

In our experience, the IHA-1 produces a full and acoustic sound that will appeal to those who want an immersive listening experience that is accompanied by lush music. It's a great choice for classical, indie/alternative and the acoustic genres. It's an excellent amp for pop country, R&B, and headphone planar rock. It may be a bit warm for genres that have lots of energy, such as EDM or Metal. You can make up for this with tube rolling.

As a general rule, higher-sensitivity headphones tend to be a good match for tube amplifiers, and the IHA-1 is no exception. 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 smooth sound, with side-to-side imaging that was remarkably precise. It also created an illusion of three-dimensional space.

The standard IHA-1 includes a pair of 6SN7 Russian tubes. It can however be upgraded to a NOS RCA GZ34 tube for an additional $100. The GZ34 is warmer than the 5Y3GT that was reissued and offers a more natural sound and has a lot of bass. It also has a smooth response to treble that is sufficiently recessed for most listening experiences to be stunning and fatigue-free.

The IHA-1's 3-D soundstage becomes particularly evident when paired with the Focal headphones Utopia. The Focal's already precise soundstage was able to expand outwards and forwards to reveal an expansive sonic landscape. Listening to the track 'Nublado' from Sera Una Noche [MA Recordings, 16/44.1], for instance, was like being in a hall that just happened to contain your headphones.

Cayin HA-6A

This tube headphone amplifier that is affordable from Cayin is a portable amp with a surprising amount of power. It can drive headphones that are planar like the HiFiMan SUSVARA effortlessly, and it also sounds great when used with dynamic headphones such as the Audio-Technica A1000X. It is also highly scalable and therefore a great option for music lovers with different listening preferences.

The HA-6A has a transformer-coupled construction with matched outputs transformers in order to ensure a balanced output. The power supply has also been completely controlled to limit the ripple effect that is caused by voltage amplifying. The circuitry is handcrafted with premium wires and point-topoint using, which results in superior transparency and integrity of the signal. This amp comes with a premium UV meter that can display signal levels.

The HA-6A comes with the option of switching between triode and ultralinear modes to offer a distinct sound experience based on your needs. If you're looking for an enveloping, rich sound, you can use the EL34 tubes that have a medium output impedance in triode mode. On the other hand, if want an exceptionally precise and fast sound with plenty of muscle you should use a pair KT88 tubes in ultra-linear mode and low output impedance.

For those who prefer an unison sound, the HA-6A features an optional tube rectification feature that improves the overall sound quality of the amplifier. This feature is perfect for users who enjoy the wide variety of music genres ranging from classical and orchestral to hip-hop EDM and other electronic music.

The amp is also constructed with a huge, custom-designed output transformer that features high-quality nickel plating. This makes the amplifier durable and durable. It also has an innovative current adjustment that will allow you to match the impedances of different headphones.

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