Amp For Planar Headphones
When it comes to amps that are suitable for headphones designed for planar,
Headphone Planar you'll need something with plenty of power to power them. Planar headphones require higher power and voltage than dynamic headphones, which require a small amount of current.
Find an amplifier with a recommended range of impedance for headphones. The majority of amps will have this information on their spec sheet or website.
AP10H+
The NVA AP10H+ headphone amplifier was designed and made by hand in Great Britain. It is an extremely powerful amplifier that can power almost any
headphone planar (and some dynamic headphones) on the market, regardless of their impedance or sensitivity. Its high voltage output and current can also give you an outstanding dynamic headroom, which produces an impressive sound.
In contrast to speakers, planar magnet headphones are essentially resistive loads and thus relatively easy to drive. However, they require more power than most receivers can achieve. To achieve their rated 130dB SPL, they must have 4V5-10V5 at 1mW of input. Class A solid state amplifiers are the ideal option for them.
The AP10H+ features an output transformer that boosts the voltage and
Headphone Planar has a volume matching resistance that is suitable for headphones in 95percent of cases. This enables the AP10H+ to deliver more than twice the amount of power to a pair of 32 ohms dynamic headphones.
Nirvana IV
The Nirvana IV tube amp has an appealing warm sound profile. This powerful amplifier can power
planar magnetic loudspeakers magnetic headphones easily and has a variety of output options that can accommodate the majority of headphones' impedances. It also comes with a high-end external power supply unit that supplies constant current to the amplifier. The amplifier was designed in Serbia by Milomir Trosic and uses hand-made transformers that offer exceptional musicality.
The Nirvana IV has a single-ended design that can provide 6.5W of pure class A power. It can drive high-impedance headphone and is able to handle the HiFiMan Susvara planar magnet open-back headphone easily. The bass response and dynamic depth are excellent. The Nirvana IV also provides a rich midrange that is smooth with soft highs and an amazing amount of detail.
The amp is similar to the Auris ha-2SE and Headonia amplifiers however, it's a superior one in general, as it has more balanced and precise sound. When it's paired with the correct headphone, it can reveal the hidden layers of music and is a joy to listen to. Its balanced mode is 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 have a warm and enveloping sound that people appreciate. However, they can be difficult to use and require a substantial investment. They also produce a lot of heat, so choose one with a sturdy cooling system. The Nirvana IV can be customized to meet the preferences of audiophiles.
The Cayin Ha-6A is a great choice for anyone looking to experience the power and beauty of a tube amplifier for an affordable price. This amplifier can be used with a variety of headphone models and is compatible with the most well-known digital audio formats. Its output switch allows users to choose between three gain settings that are suited to medium, low and high-impedance headphones. It also includes a remote control as well as an external power supply.
Dragon Inspire IHA-1
The Dragon Inspire IHA-1 is an impressive hi-fi device. It was developed (and manufactured) by Dennis Had, founder Cary Audio. Its design is timeless that is reminiscent of classic tube equipment, despite the crazy red paint job.
The IHA-1 is compatible with every headphone because it uses the 6SN7 dual triodes for driving headphones. It also features transformer coupling at both inputs as well as outputs. It is also compact and has an unobstructed signal path, without a feedback loop.
The IHA-1 has a rich, harmonic sound that we have found to be appealing to listeners who love a rich listening experience. It's a great choice for classical, indie/alternative and Acoustic music. It's a great amplifier for pop, country, R&B, and rock. However, it can be a bit on the warmer side for genres with high energy like EDM and Metal. Tube rolling can help you to offset the warmth.
As a general rule higher-sensitivity headphones are likely to mate well with tube amplifiers and the IHA-1 is no exception. We tested the IHA-1 with various headphone models including the Focal HiFiMan HE-560, HiFiMan HE-560 and Grado RS-1. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 provided a rich, rounded sound with impressively precise lateral imaging as well as a spatial sense that was truly revelatory.
The standard IHA-1 comes with two Russian 6SN7 tubes. It is possible to upgrade it for an additional $100 to a brand new RCA GZ34. The GZ34 has a more warm sound than the reissue 5Y3GT but it has a more natural and bassy sound. It also has a lovely response to the treble, which is not too recessed to allow most listening experiences to be stunning and fatigue-free.
The IHA-1's 3-D soundstage becomes particularly apparent when it is paired with the Focal headphones Utopia. The heightened sense of spaciousness allowed the Focal's previously precise lateral imaging to expand outward and forward, revealing a vast soundscape. Listening to 'Nublado' from Sera Una Noche [MA Recordings, 16/44.1], for instance, was like being in a hall that just happened to include headphones.
Cayin HA-6A
This budget-friendly tube headphone amplifier from Cayin is a portable amp with an impressive power. It can drive planar headphones like the HiFiMan SUSVARA and also sound great when used with dynamic headphones like the Audio-Technica's ATH-A1000X. It's also extremely adaptable and is a good choice for music enthusiasts with different preferences in listening.
The HA-6A is a transformer-coupled model with output transformers that are matched to provide true balanced output. The power supply is fully controlled, which minimizes the ripple impact of voltage amplification. The circuit is designed by hand using point to point wielding and premium wires, resulting in better 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 an ultralinear/triode switchable mode that allows you to alter the sound to suit your preferences. If you want an enveloping, rich sound, you can use the EL34 tubes which have moderate output impedance when in triode mode. On the other hand, if desire a clear and precise sound with plenty of power, use a pair of KT88 tubes in ultra-linear mode, with a low output impedance.
The HA-6A comes with an option for tube rectification for those who prefer an unison sound. This improves the overall sonic quality of the amplifier. This feature is perfect for those who appreciate the wide variety of music genres, from classical and orchestral, to hip-hop, EDM and other electronic music.
This amp also features a large custom-made transformer with the highest-quality nickel plating. This ensures the amplifier is rugged and durable. It also features an innovative current adjustment that matches the impedance of various headphones.
Contrary to the Schiit Vali 2+, the Cayin HA-6A has a bit of a tube bloom as well as a sound stage that's not quite as large or as precise. It has a much faster decay time and a more neutral sound than the Vali 2. It also has a forward-looking midrange with more clarity and more bass as compared to the Vali 2+. However it doesn't have the same amount of treble.