Amp For Planar Headphones

You'll need an amp that can drive planar headphones with plenty of power. Planar headphones require higher power and voltage than dynamic headphones, which only need only a tiny amount of current.

Look for an amplifier that is within the recommended range of impedance for headphones. Most 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 an extremely powerful amplifier that can drive almost every planar headphone (and some dynamic headphones) on the market, regardless of their impedance and sensitivity. Its high-voltage and current output can give you a dynamic headroom that is an outstanding sound.

Planar magnetic planar headphones like speakers are almost exclusively resistive loads. They are, therefore, relatively easy to drive. They require a much higher level of drive than can be provided by the majority of receivers. For them to reach their 130dB SPL rating they require 4V5 or 10V5 input at 1mW. This is why class A solid state amps are a good choice for them.

The AP10H+ has an output transformer which boosts the voltage and has a volume matching resistance that is suitable for headphones in 85% of cases. The AP10H+ can deliver twice as much power to an earphone with a 32 ohm frequency. headphones.

Nirvana IV

If you love tubes with a warm sound profile, then the Nirvana IV is the one for you. This powerful amplifier can drive magnet Planar magnetic headphones effortlessly and comes with a range of output settings to accommodate most headphones with different impedances. It also comes with a high-end external power supply unit that provides constant current 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 can provide 6.5W of pure class A power. It is capable of driving high-impedance headphones and is capable of handling the HiFiMan SUSVARA open-back planar magnetic headphone with ease. Its bass performance is outstanding and has excellent dynamic depth. The Nirvana IV has a rich midrange, smooth highs, and a staggering amount of detail.

The amp is comparable to the Auris Ha-2SE and the Headonia amplifier, but it's better overall because it has more clarity and precision, as well as more balanced sound. When paired with the right headphone, it can reveal the hidden layers of music and is very enjoyable to listen to. Its balanced mode is especially impressive, as it adds warmth and smoothness to the sound that is difficult to discover in other headphone amplifiers.

Vacuum tube amplifiers are a favorite among headphone enthusiasts because they have a warm and enveloping sound that people appreciate. They aren't easy to operate and require a significant investment. In addition, they produce a lot of heat, so you should select one with a strong 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 enjoy the power of a tube amplifier but with a price that isn't too expensive. This amplifier can be used with a variety of headphone models, and is compatible with the most popular digital audio formats. Its output switch allows you to select from three gain settings that are suited to medium, low and high-impedance headphones. It also comes with a remote control and 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. It has a timeless design that is reminiscent of vintage tube equipment, despite its bizarre red paint job.

The IHA-1 is compatible with every headphone because it uses the 6SN7 dual triodes to drive headphones. It also has transformer coupling at both the inputs as well as the outputs. It's also compact and has an uncluttered signal path that does not have feedback loop.

The IHA-1 is a rich, harmonic 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 Acoustic music. It's also a great amplifier for country, pop and rock R&B tracks. However, it could be slightly warmer side for high-energy genres like EDM and Metal. Tube rolling can help you make up for the warmth.

The IHA-1 isn't an exception to this rule. In general, headphones with higher sensitiveness tend to be compatible with tube amplifiers. We tried it on a wide selection of headphones, including the Focal Clear HiFiMan HE-560 Grado RS-1, and Mr. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 created a rich and rounded sound, with a perspective that was astonishingly precise. It also gave an illusion of three-dimensional space.

The standard IHA-1 includes a pair of 6SN7 Russian tubes. It can be upgraded by $100 to a brand new RCA GZ34. The GZ34 has a warmer sound than the reissue 5Y3GT but it has a more natural and bassy sound. It also has a smooth bass response that's not too recessed to make the majority of listening experiences amazing and a breeze to wear.

The IHA-1's 3D 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 sonic landscape. Listening to "Nublado" from Sera Una Noche (MA Recordings 16/44.1) was like walking through a vast space with headphones.

Cayin HA-6A

This tube headphone amp from Cayin is marketed as an "Tube Rolling Paradise." It's a low-cost, portable amplifier that's surprisingly powerful. It can power headphones that are planar like the HiFiMan SUSVARA and sound great when used with dynamic headphones such as Audio-Technica's ATH A1000X. It's also extremely scalable, making it a good choice for music lovers with various listening preferences.

The HA-6A is a transformer-coupled device with matched outputs transformers to give a balanced output. The power supply has been fully regulated to reduce the ripple effect that is caused by voltage amplification. The circuitry is made by hand with the finest wires and point-to-point wielding, resulting in superior transparency and integrity of the signal. This amp has a top-quality, UV meter to display the levels of signal.

HA-6A features a switchable triode/ultralinear mode to offer a distinct sound experience based on your needs. If you want an enveloping, rich sound, you can use the EL34 tubes that have a medium output impedance in triode mode. If you want a fast and precise sound with plenty of power then you should use KT88 tubes set to ultra-linear with low output impedance.

The HA-6A is a tube with an option of rectification feature for those who prefer a neutral sound. This improves the overall sonic performance of the amplifier. This feature is perfect for those who love a wide range of music genres from classical and orchestral, Magnet planar to hip-hop, EDM and other electronic music.

The amp is also built with a huge, custom-designed output transformer that offers high-grade nickel plating. This ensures the amplifier is durable and robust. It also comes with an innovative current adjustment which can adjust the impedance of different headphones.