Amp For
driver planar Headphones
When it comes to amps that are suitable for headphones with planars, you need something with plenty of power to drive them. Planar headphones require more power and voltage than dynamic headphones, which require just a small amount of current.
Find an amplifier that is compatible with a recommended headphone impedance range. This can be found 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 drive almost any
headphone planar (and some dynamic headphones) on the market, regardless of their impedance or sensitivity. Its high voltage output and current will also provide a stunning dynamic headroom that produces an impressive sound.
Planar magnetic headphones, unlike speakers, are essentially resistive loads. They are therefore relatively easy to drive. They require a much higher amount of drive than what can be provided by the majority of receivers. For
Headphone Planar them to reach their 130dB SPL rating they require either 4V5 or 10V5 input at 1mW. Class A solid state amplifiers are the best choice for them.
The AP10H+ comes with an output transformer that increases the voltage and has a volume-matching resistance that is suitable for headphones in 95% of cases. This allows the AP10H+ to provide more than double the amount of power to 32 ohms dynamic headphones.
Nirvana IV
The Nirvana IV tube amp has an appealing warm sound profile. This powerful amplifier can drive magnetic headphones that are planar with ease and comes with a range of output modes to support 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 was developed in Serbia by Milomir Trosic, and it utilizes hand-crafted transformators that offer exceptional musicality.
The Nirvana IV has a single-ended design that delivers 6.5W of pure class A power. It is able to easily drive high-impedance headphones and is able to handle the HiFiMan SUSVARA planar open-back magnetic headphone effortlessly. The bass response and dynamic depth are outstanding. The Nirvana IV also provides a rich midrange, with soft highs and an amazing amount of detail.
The amp is comparable to the Auris Ha-2SE and Headonia amplifier but it's more effective overall due to its greater clarity and precision with a 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 particularly impressive, since it adds warmth and
headphone Planar smoothness to the sound that is difficult to find in other headphone amplifiers.
Vacuum tube amplifiers are very popular for headphone lovers since they provide a warm, cosy sound that many people enjoy. However, they are difficult to make use of and require a significant investment. They also produce a lot of heat, so you should choose 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 option for anyone who wants to enjoy the power of a tube amp but with a price that isn't too expensive. This amplifier can be used with various types of headphones, and it is compatible with most well-known digital audio formats. Its output switch allows you to choose from three gain settings that are suitable for medium, low, and high-impedance headphones. It also has a remote control as well as an external power supply.
Dragon Inspire IHA-1
The Dragon Inspire IHA-1 has serious hi-fi pedigree it was created by (and is manufactured under the watchful eye of) Dennis Had, founder of Cary Audio. It has a timeless appearance that is reminiscent of vintage tube equipment, despite its bizarre red paint job.
The IHA-1 uses a pair of 6SN7 dual triodes to drive headphones. It has transformer coupling at both inputs and outputs making it compatible with virtually any headphone. It's also small and has a smooth signal path, with no feedback loop.
The IHA-1 has a full and acoustic sound that we've found to be a hit with listeners who enjoy a lush listening experience. It's a great choice for classical, indie/alternative and the acoustic genres. It's a great amplifier for tracks in pop country, R&B, and rock. However, it could be slightly warmer side for genres with high energy like EDM and Metal. It is possible to compensate for this by tube rolling.
As a general rule higher-sensitivity headphones usually be a good match for tube amplifiers, and the IHA-1 is no different. We tested the IHA-1 using a variety of headphones, including the Focal HiFiMan HE-560, HiFiMan HE-560 and Grado RS-1. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 offered a full and rounded sound with astonishingly precise lateral imaging and a three-dimensional sense of space that was truly revelatory.
The standard IHA-1 includes a pair 6SN7 Russian tubes. However, it can be upgraded to an original RCA GZ34 tube for an additional $100. The GZ34 has a more warm sound than the 5Y3GT that was reissued, but it has a more natural and bassy sound. 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 fatigue-free.
The IHA-1's 3-D soundstage is particularly evident when paired with the Focal headphones Utopia. The Focal's already precise imaging was able to expand outwards and forwards and reveal a vast soundscape. Listening to 'Nublado' from Sera Una Noche [MA Recordings, 16/44.1], for instance, was akin to being in a hall that just happened contain your headphones.
Cayin HA-6A
The tube headphone amplifier from Cayin is marketed as a "Tube Rolling Paradise." It's an affordable portable amplifier that's astonishingly powerful. It's capable of driving headphones with a planar design, such as the HiFiMan SUSVARA with ease and is also great with dynamic headphones like the Audio-Technica ATH A1000X. It's also extremely adaptable, making it a great option for those who have diverse preferences for listening.
The HA-6A is a transformer-coupled model with matched output transformers that provide real balanced output. The power supply has been completely controlled to limit the ripple effect caused by voltage amplifying. The circuitry is made by hand using premium wires and point-to-point using, which results in superior transparency and signal integrity. This amp has a top-quality UV meter that displays the levels of signal.
The HA-6A comes with an ultralinear/triode switchable mode that lets you customize the sound to meet your needs. If you want a rich warm, warm, and melodious sound, run the EL34 tubes in triode mode with moderate output impedance. If you want a fast, detailed sound, with lots of muscle then you should use KT88 tubes set to ultra-linear, with a low output impedance.
HA-6A offers an optional tube rectification feature for those who prefer an unison sound. This enhances the overall sonic quality of the amplifier. This feature is ideal for those who listen to a wide range of genres, from hip-hop and EDM to classical and orchestral music.
This amp also comes with an enormous custom-designed transformer that has premium nickel plating. This ensures the amplifier is durable and robust. It also features an innovative current adjustment that matches the impedance of various headphones.
Unlike the Schiit Vali 2+, the Cayin HA-6A has a little bit of a tube-like bloom and sound stage that isn't as wide or as precise. It also has a much quicker decay time than the Vali 2+ and an overall more neutral tone. It has an advanced midrange that has more bass and better detail than the Vali 2+, but it doesn't have the same amount of extension of the treble.