Amp For Planar Headphones
When you are looking for amps for headphones designed for planar, you'll need something with plenty of power to drive them. Planar headphones require more voltage and power than dynamic headphones, which require only a just a small amount of current.
Look for an amp that has an impedance range that is recommended for headphone use. This will be listed on the specs sheet or on their website.
AP10H+
The NVA AP10H+ is a headphone amplifier that was designed and manufactured by hand in Great Britain. It is an amplifier with a lot of power that can power almost any planar headphone (and some dynamic headphones) on the market, regardless of their impedance or sensitivity. Its high-voltage and current output can give you a dynamic headroom that is an outstanding sound.
Planar magnetic headphones unlike speakers, are almost exclusively resistive loads. They are therefore easy to drive. They require a greater level of drive than can be provided by the majority of receivers. To reach their rated 130dB SPL, they need 4V5 to 10V5 at 1mW of input. This is why solid state amplifiers of class A are the best choice for them.
The AP10H+ has an output transformer that increases the power to a higher level, and it includes a volume matching resistor that works with 95% of headphones. The AP10H+ can provide twice as much power to a pair 32 ohm dynamic headphones.
Nirvana IV
The Nirvana IV tube amp has an enveloping sound. This powerful amplifier can power headphones with magnetic planar design easily and offers a range of output options that can accommodate the majority of headphones with different impedances. It also has a top-quality external power supply unit that provides constant current to the amplifier. The amplifier is manufactured in Serbia by Milomir Trosic and uses hand-made transformers that offer exceptional musicality.
The Nirvana IV is a single-ended amplifier that produces 6.5W pure power in class A. It is capable of driving high-impedance headphones and can handle the HiFiMan SUSVARA planar open-back magnetic headphone easily. Its bass quality is superb and provides great 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 as well as the Headonia amplifier, but it's better overall because it has more clarity and precision, as well as more balanced sound. When it's paired with the correct headphones, it will reveal the hidden layers of music and is extremely enjoyable to listen to. Its balanced mode is particularly impressive, adding a layer of texture and warmth that is hard for other headphone amplifiers to achieve.
Vacuum tube amplifiers are a favorite among headphone enthusiasts because they have a warm and enveloping sound that many people enjoy. They aren't easy to operate and require a large investment. In addition, they produce plenty of heat, so it is important to select one with a strong cooling system. The Nirvana IV can be customized to meet the preferences of audiophiles.
The Cayin HA-6A is a good option for anyone who wants to experience the power of a tube amp but with a price that isn't too expensive. The amplifier is designed to work with a range of headphone types and is compatible with all popular digital audio formats. The output switch lets you to select from three gain settings, which are suited to medium, low and high-impedance headphones. It also comes with a remote control as well as an external power supply.
Dragon Inspire IHA-1
The Dragon Inspire IHA-1 is a serious audio heritage it was created by (and is produced under the watchful eye of) Dennis Had, founder of Cary Audio. In spite of its sexy red paint scheme it has a timeless design that is reminiscent of vintage tube gear.
The IHA-1 utilizes a pair 6SN7 dual triodes to drive headphones. It also features transformer coupling at both inputs and outputs which makes it compatible with almost any headphone. It's also compact and has an uncluttered signal path that does not have feedback loop.
In our experience, the IHA-1 produces a full and acoustic sound that will appeal to those who want an immersive listening experience with lush music. It's a great option for classical, indie/alternative, and Acoustic music. It's a great amplifier for pop country, R&B, and rock. However, it's a little warmer side for genres with high energy such as EDM and Metal. magnetic earphones is possible to compensate for this with tube rolling.
The IHA-1 isn't an exception to this rule. In general, headphones with higher sensitivity are more likely to work with tube amplifiers. We tested the IHA-1 with a variety of headphones, including the Focal, HiFiMan HE-560, and Grado RS-1. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 provided a rich round sound, with an impressively precise lateral imaging as well as a three-dimensional sense of space that was truly enthralling.
The standard IHA-1 comes with a pair of Russian 6SN7 tubes. However, it is able to be upgraded to an original RCA GZ34 tube for an additional $100. The GZ34 is more warm than the re-issue 5Y3GT however it has a more natural sound and has a lot of bass. It also has a sweet tone that is recessed enough to make most listening experiences enjoyable and stress-free.
The IHA-1's 3-D soundstage becomes particularly apparent when it is paired with the Focal headphones Utopia. The increased sense of space allowed the Focal's previously precise lateral imaging to expand outward and forward, revealing an expansive soundscape. Listening to "Nublado" from Sera Una Noche (MA Recordings 16/44.1) was like wandering through a vast space with headphones.
Cayin HA-6A
This tube headphone amp from Cayin is advertised as an "Tube Rolling Paradise." It's an affordable portable amplifier that's quite powerful. It can power headphones that are planar like the HiFiMan SUSVARA and sound fantastic when paired with dynamic headphones like the Audio-Technica ATH-A1000X. It's also highly scalable making it a great option for those with a variety of listening preferences.
The HA-6A is a transformer-coupled model with matched output transformers that provide true balanced output. The power supply has been fully regulated to reduce the ripple effect resulting from voltage amplifying. The circuitry is made by hand with the finest wires and point-to-point using, which results in superior clarity and signal integrity. This amp comes with a premium UV meter that displays signal levels.
The HA-6A features a switchable ultralinear/triode mode that lets you customize the sound to meet your needs. If you want an authentic, warm sound, use the EL34 tubes that have a medium output impedance in triode mode. On the other hand, if desire a fast and detailed sound with plenty of muscle, use a pair of KT88 tubes in ultra-linear mode, with a low output impedance.
If you prefer more neutral sound, the HA-6A comes with an optional tube rectification feature that enhances the overall sound quality of the amplifier. This feature is perfect for users who listen to a wide range of genres, ranging from hip-hop and EDM to classical and orchestral music.
The amp is also constructed with a huge, custom-designed output transformer that offers high-grade nickel plating. This makes the amplifier rugged and robust. It also has an innovative current adjustment that will allow you to match the impedances of different headphones.
In contrast to the Schiit Vali 2+, the Cayin HA-6A has a little bit of a tube bloom and soundstage that's not as wide or as precise. It has a faster decay time and a more neutral sound than the Vali 2. It also has a forward-looking midrange that has more detail and a higher bass than the Vali 2+. However it does not have as much treble.