Amp For Planar Headphones

You need an amp that can drive planar headphones with plenty of power. planar magnetic iem headphones require more voltage and power than dynamic headphones, which require only a only a tiny amount of current.

Find an amplifier that is within the recommended range of headphone impedance. This can be found on the specs sheet or on their website.

AP10H+

The NVA AP10H+ headphone amplifier was built by hand in Great Britain. It is a powerful amplifier that can power almost any planar headphone (and some dynamic headphones) available, regardless of their impedance and sensitivity. Its high voltage output and current will also provide an exceptional dynamic headroom that produces an impressive sound.

Unlike speakers, planar magnetic headphones are almost purely resistive loads, making them relatively easy to drive. They require a greater level of drive than that which can be achieved by the majority of receivers. In order to achieve their 130dB SPL rating they need either 10V5 or head Phones 4V5 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 95percent of cases. The AP10H+ is able to deliver twice as much power to the 32 ohm dynamic headphones.

Nirvana IV

The Nirvana IV tube amp has a warm sound signature. This powerful amplifier is capable of driving planar magnetic headphones with ease and offers a variety of output settings to accommodate the majority of headphones with different impedances. It has an external power supply unit of high quality that supplies constant currents to the amplifier. The amplifier was designed 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 easily. Its bass performance is excellent and provides incredible dynamic depth. 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 the Headonia amplifier, but it's better overall due to its greater clarity and precision, as well as more balanced sound. It can uncover hidden layers of music when paired with the correct headphone. It's also enjoyable to listen to. Its balanced mode is impressive, bringing a layer of warmth and tube smoothness that is difficult for other headphone amplifiers to match.

Vacuum tube amplifiers are very popular with headphone lovers because they offer a warm sound that people appreciate. They can be difficult to operate and require a large investment. They also generate a lot of heat, so choose one with a sturdy cooling system. The Nirvana IV is a good option for audiophiles who are more discerning, since it is able to be customised with a range of different tubes.

The Cayin HA-6A is an excellent alternative for those who want to experience the power of a tube amp at a low cost. This amp is designed to work with a range of headphone types and is compatible with the majority of popular digital audio formats. Its output switch allows you to choose between three gain settings, which are suited for low, medium, and high-impedance headphones. It also includes a remote control and an external power supply.

Dragon Inspire IHA-1

The Dragon Inspire IHA-1 has serious audio heritage - it was designed by (and is produced under the watchful eye of) Dennis Had, founder of Cary Audio. It has a timeless design that is reminiscent of vintage tube equipment, despite the crazy red paint job.

The IHA-1 can be used with any headphone since it utilizes a pair 6SN7 dual triodes for driving headphones. It also features transformer coupling at both the inputs as well as outputs. It's also very small and has a smooth signal path, with no feedback loop.

In our experience, the IHA-1 produces a rich and harmonic sound that will appeal to listeners who like a full listening experience with lush music. It's a great option for classical, indie/alternative and the acoustic genres. It's also a great choice for pop, country, rock, and R&B tracks. It may be a bit warm for genres that have lots of energy, such as 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 tend to pair well with tube amplifiers. We tested it with a wide variety of models for headphone which included the Focal Clear, HiFiMan HE-560, head phones Grado RS-1, and Mr. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 produced a full and smooth sound, with side-to-side imaging that was remarkably precise. It also gave the illusion of three-dimensionality.

The standard IHA-1 comes with two Russian 6SN7 tubes. It is possible to upgrade it for an additional $100 to a NOS RCA GZ34. The GZ34 is more warm than the 5Y3GT that was reissued, but it offers a more natural sound with plenty of bass. It also has a lovely response to treble that is sufficiently recessed for most listening experiences to be stunning and unflagging.

The IHA-1's impressive 3-D soundstage is particularly evident when it was paired with the Focal Utopia headphones. The Focal's already precise image could expand forwards and outwards, revealing an expansive sonic landscape. Listening to "Nublado" from Sera Una Noche (MA Recordings 16/44.1) was like walking through a large hall with your headphones.

Cayin HA-6A

This tube headphone amp by Cayin is billed as an "Tube Rolling Paradise." It's an affordable portable amplifier that's quite powerful. It can drive planar headphones such as the HiFiMan SUSVARA with ease and is also great with dynamic headphones like the Audio-Technica A1000X. It's also highly adaptable and is a good option for those who have different preferences in listening.

The HA-6A is a transformer-coupled design with matched output transformers that offer true balanced output. The power supply has been completely controlled to limit the ripple effect caused by voltage amplification. The circuitry is handcrafted with the finest wires and point-to-point using, which results in superior clarity and signal integrity. This amp features a high-grade, UV meter to display the levels of signal.

The HA-6A has the option of switching between triode and ultralinear modes to give you a different sound experience depending on your requirements. If you're looking for a full warm, warm, and musical sound, use the EL34 tubes in triode mode using moderate output impedance. On the other hand, if require a blazingly precise and fast sound with plenty of power you should use a pair KT88 tubes in ultra-linear mode and low output impedance.

If you prefer more neutral sound, the HA-6A features an optional tube rectification that enhances the overall sound quality of the amplifier. This feature is perfect for people who listen to a range of genres, from hip-hop and EDM to classical and orchestral music.

The amp also has a large custom-made transformer with high-grade nickel plating. This ensures the amplifier is durable and robust. It also comes with an innovative current adjustment that can adjust the impedance of various headphones.

The Cayin Ha-6A unlike the Schiit Vali 2+ has a tiny bit of tube bloom. The soundstage isn't as detailed or large. It also has a much faster decay time than Vali 2+ and a more neutral tone overall. It has an asymmetrical midrange, with more bass and better detail than the Vali 2+, but it does not have as much extension of the treble.