Amp For Planar Headphones
When you are looking for amps for
Planar Magnetic iem planar headphones, you want something with plenty of power to drive them. Planar headphones require more power and voltage than dynamic headphones, which require only a only a tiny amount of current.
Look for an amplifier that comes with a recommended headphone impedance range. The majority of amps will have this information on their specifications sheet or on their website.
AP10H+
The NVA AP10H+ headphone amplifier is designed and made by hand in Great Britain. It is a powerful amplifier that can drive almost any planar headphone (and some dynamic headphones) on the market regardless of their impedance and sensitivity. Its high current and voltage output can also give you an outstanding dynamic headroom that produces an impressive sound.
Unlike speakers,
planar magnetic closed back headphones magnetic headphones are almost purely resistive loads, making them relatively easy to drive. They require a much higher amount of drive than what can be achieved by the majority of receivers. To reach their 130dB SPL rating, they need either 10V5 or 4V5 input at 1mW. This is why class A solid state amps are a good choice for them.
The AP10H+ has an output transformer that boosts the voltage to a much greater degree, and has a volume matching resistor that works with the majority of headphones. This allows the AP10H+ to deliver more than twice the power to 32 ohms dynamic headphones.
Nirvana IV
The Nirvana IV tube amp has an enveloping sound. This powerful amplifier can power magnetic headphones that are planar easily and has a variety of output options that can accommodate most headphones with different impedances. It has an external power supply unit of top quality that supplies 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 can provide 6.5W of pure class A power. It can drive high-impedance headphones and is capable to handle the HiFiMan Susvara open-back
planar magnetic iem magnetic headphone easily. Its bass quality is superb and has incredible dynamic depth. The Nirvana IV has a rich mid-range, smooth highs and a dazzling amount of detail.
This amp can be compared to the Auris Ha-2SE and Headonia amplifier but it's more effective overall due to its greater clarity and precision, as well as more balanced sound. When used with the right headphones, it will reveal the hidden layers of music and is very enjoyable to listen to. Its balanced mode is especially impressive, adding a layer of texture and warmth that is hard for other headphone amplifiers to match.
Many people who love headphones appreciate the warm sound of vacuum tube amplifiers. 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 choose one with a robust cooling system. The Nirvana IV can be customized to meet the needs of audiophiles.
The Cayin HA-6A is an excellent choice for anyone looking to experience the power of a tube amp but with a price that isn't too expensive. This amp is designed to work with a variety of headphone models and is compatible with all popular digital audio formats. The output switch lets you select among three gain settings that are suitable for
headphones planar that have medium, low and high impedance. It includes a remote as well as an external power source.
Dragon Inspire IHA-1
The Dragon Inspire IHA-1 is an impressive hi-fi device. It was created (and manufactured) by Dennis Had, founder Cary Audio. It has a timeless appearance that is reminiscent of vintage tube equipment, despite the crazy red paint job.
The IHA-1 can be used with any headphone because it uses the 6SN7 dual triodes for driving headphones. It also features transformer coupling on both inputs as well as outputs. It is also small and has a clear signal path without feedback loop.
The IHA-1 has a rich and acoustic sound that we have found to be appealing to listeners who love a rich listening experience. It's an excellent choice for classical, indie/alternative, and Acoustic music. It's also a great amplifier for pop, country and rock R&B tracks. It can be a little warm for genres with a lot of energy, like EDM or Metal. Tube rolling can help you make up for the warmth.
In general higher-sensitivity headphones usually mate well with tube amplifiers, and the IHA-1 is no exception. We tested it using a broad 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, rounded sound with impressively precise lateral imaging and a spatial sense that was truly enthralling.
The standard IHA-1 comes with two Russian 6SN7 tubes. It is possible to upgrade it for $100 more to a NOS RCA GZ34. The GZ34 is more warm than the re-issue 5Y3GT, but it has a more organic sound with ample bass. It also has a sweet tone that is recessed enough to make the majority of listening experiences glorious and fatigue-free.
The IHA-1's 3-D soundstage is particularly evident when paired with the Focal headphones Utopia. The increased sense of space allowed 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 like being in a hall that happened to contain your headphones.
Cayin HA-6A
This tube headphone amp by Cayin is billed as an "Tube Rolling Paradise." It's a budget portable amplifier that's astonishingly powerful. It's capable of driving headphones that are planar like the HiFiMan SUSVARA effortlessly, and it also sounds great when paired with dynamic headphones such as the Audio-Technica A1000X. It's also extremely adaptable, making it a great option for music lovers with different preferences in listening.
The HA-6A is a transformer-coupled model with output transformers that are matched to offer real balanced output. The power supply has been fully controlled to minimize the ripple effect caused by voltage amplifying. The circuitry is made by hand with point to point wielding and premium wires, resulting in superior quality and integrity of the signal as well as transparency. This amp features a high-grade UV meter that displays the signal strength.
The HA-6A comes with an ultralinear/triode switchable mode that allows you to alter the sound to suit your preferences. If you want an authentic, warm sound, choose the EL34 tubes that have moderate output impedance when in triode mode. On the other hand, if you require a blazingly clear and precise sound with plenty of muscle make use of a pair of KT88 tubes in ultra-linear mode and low output impedance.
For those who prefer more neutral sound, the HA-6A comes with an optional tube rectification feature that improves the overall sonic quality of the amplifier. This feature is ideal for those who love a wide range of music genres, from classical and orchestral to hip-hop, EDM and other electronic music.
The amp is also built with a huge, custom-designed output transformer that features high-quality nickel plating. This makes the amplifier rugged and durable. It also has an innovative current adjustment that matches the impedance of headphones.
The Cayin Ha-6A unlike the Schiit Vali 2+ has a tiny bit of tube bloom. The sound stage is also not as large or detailed. It also has a much faster decay time than Vali 2+ and it has a more neutral tone overall. It has an asymmetrical midrange, with more bass and detail than the Vali 2+, but it does not have the same amount of extension in the treble.
