Amp For Planar Headphones

When it comes to amps for headphones designed for planar, you'll need one with enough power to power them. Unlike dynamic headphones that require a small amount of current, planars are more demanding in terms of power and require more voltage.

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

AP10H+

The NVA AP10H+ headphone amplifier was designed and made by hand in Great Britain. It is a beast that can power virtually all planar headphones (and some of the more dynamic ones) on the market regardless of their sensitivity or impedance. Its high voltage and current output can provide exceptional dynamic headroom for an impressive sound.

Planar magnetic headphones unlike speakers, are essentially resistive loads. They are, therefore, relatively easy to drive. They require a greater level of drive than can be achieved by the majority of receivers. In order to achieve their 130dB SPL rating they require either 4V5 or 10V5 input at 1mW. This is why solid state amplifiers in class A are the best planar headphones choice for them.

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

Nirvana IV

The Nirvana IV tube amp has an appealing warm sound profile. This powerful amplifier can drive planar magnetic headphones easily and offers a range of output modes that work with the majority of headphone impedances. It is equipped with an external power supply unit of top 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 can provide 6.5W of pure class A power. It is able to easily drive high-impedance headphones and can handle the HiFiMan SUSVARA open-back magnetic headphone effortlessly. Its bass performance is outstanding 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.

This amp can be compared to the Auris Ha-2SE as well as the Headonia amplifier but it's more effective overall since it offers more clarity and precision, as well as more balanced sound. When paired with the right headphones, it will reveal the hidden layers of music and is very enjoyable to listen to. Its balanced mode is impressive, as it adds warmth and tube smoothness to the sound, which is hard to discover in other headphone amplifiers.

Vacuum tube amplifiers are very popular among headphone enthusiasts because they provide a warm, cosy sound that many people enjoy. However, they can be difficult to make use of and require a significant investment. They also generate lots of heat, so it is important to select one with a strong cooling system. The Nirvana IV is a good option for discerning audiophiles, because it can be customized using a variety of different tubes.

The Cayin the HA-6A is a great alternative for those who want to experience the power of a tube amplifier at a low cost. This amplifier can be used with many different headphone types and is compatible with the most popular digital audio formats. The output switch lets you choose between three gain modes suitable for headphones with medium, low or high impedance. It also comes with a remote control and an external power supply.

Dragon Inspire IHA-1

The Dragon Inspire IHA-1 is an extremely high-end product. It was developed (and manufactured) by Dennis Had, founder Cary Audio. In spite of its sexy red paint job it has a classic design that is reminiscent of vintage 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 at both the inputs as well as outputs. It's also quite small and has a smooth signal path, with no feedback loop.

The IHA-1 is a rich, harmonic sound that we've discovered to be appealing to listeners who enjoy a lush listening experience. It's an excellent choice for classical, alternative/indie and the acoustic genres. It's also a great amp for country, pop and rock R&B tracks. It may be a bit warm for genres with a lot of energy, like EDM or Metal. Tube rolling can help you make up for the warmth.

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

The standard IHA-1 comes with a pair of 6SN7 Russian tubes. It can be upgraded for an additional $100 to a NOS RCA GZ34. The GZ34 is warmer than the re-issue 5Y3GT and What Are Planar Magnetic Drivers offers a more natural sound and has a lot of bass. It also has a sweet response to treble that is not too recessed to allow the majority of listening experiences to be awe-inspiring and free of fatigue.

The IHA-1's 3-D soundstage becomes particularly apparent when it is paired with the Focal headphones Utopia. The heightened sense of spaciousness enabled the Focal's already 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) was like a walk through a vast space with headphones.

Cayin HA-6A

This affordable tube headphone amplifier from Cayin is a portable amplifier with a surprising amount of power. It's capable of driving headphones that What Are Planar Magnetic Drivers planar like the HiFiMan SUSVARA easily, and it also sounds great when paired with headphones that are dynamic, such as the Audio-Technica ATH-A1000X. It's also highly adaptable making it a great choice for music lovers with various listening preferences.

The HA-6A has a transformer-coupled construction with matched outputs transformers to provide a true balanced output. The power supply is also fully controlled, which decreases the ripple impact of voltage amplifying. The circuitry is handcrafted using premium wires and point-to-point handling, resulting in greater clarity and signal integrity. This amp features a high-grade, UV meter to display signal levels.

The HA-6A comes with a switchable triode/ultralinear mode to offer a distinct sound experience based on your preferences. If you want a rich warm, warm, and musical sound, run the EL34 tubes in triode mode using medium output impedance. On the other hand, if require a blazingly precise and fast sound with plenty of power, use a pair of KT88 tubes in ultra-linear mode with low output impedance.

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

The amp is also constructed with a huge, custom-designed output transformer that offers high-grade nickel plating. This makes the amplifier tough and robust. It also features an innovative current adjustment that can match the impedances of various headphones.

Unlike the Schiit Vali 2+, the Cayin HA-6A has a bit of a tube bloom and soundstage that's not as large or as detailed. It also has a faster decay time than the Vali 2+ and it has a more neutral tone overall. It also has a forward-looking midrange that has more detail and more bass, in comparison to the Vali 2+. However it does not have the same amount of treble.