Amp For Planar Headphones
When you are looking for amps for headphones designed for planar, you'll need something with plenty of power to power them. Unlike dynamic headphones that require very little current, planars are much more demanding in terms of power and require more voltage.
Look for an amp that has a recommended range of impedance for headphones. Most will have this information on their specifications 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 a beast that can drive almost any pair of planar headphones (and some of the more dynamic ones) on the market regardless of their sensitivity or impedance. Its high current and voltage output can also give you an outstanding dynamic headroom to create an impressive sound.
Planar magnetic headphones like speakers are essentially resistive loads. They are therefore easy to drive. However, they require higher levels of drive than the majority of receivers can provide. In planar headphones explained to achieve their 130dB SPL, they require either 4V5 or 10V5 input at 1mW. Class A solid state amplifiers are the ideal option for them.
The AP10H+ comes with an output transformer which boosts the voltage as well as a volume matching resistance that is suitable for headphones in 95percent of cases. The AP10H+ is able to deliver twice the power of a pair 32 ohm dynamic headphones.
Nirvana IV
The Nirvana IV tube amp has an appealing warm sound profile. This powerful amplifier can power planar magnetic headphones easily and has a variety of output modes that support the majority of headphone impedances. It also has a high-quality external power supply unit that provides constant current to the amplifier. The amplifier was made in Serbia by Milomir Trosic, and it makes use of hand-crafted transformators that give extraordinary musicality.
The Nirvana IV has a single-ended design that delivers 6.5W of pure class A power. It can easily drive high-impedance headphones and is able to handle the HiFiMan SUSVARA open-back planar magnetic headphone easily. Its bass and dynamic depth are outstanding. The Nirvana IV has a rich midrange, smooth highs and a dazzling amount of detail.
This amp is comparable to the Auris ha-2SE and Headonia amplifiers however, it's a better one in general, as it has more precise and balanced sound. When it's paired with the correct headphones, it will reveal hidden layers of music and is very enjoyable to listen to. Its balanced mode is particularly impressive, adding a layer warmth and smoothness that is difficult for other headphone amplifiers to achieve.
Many headphone enthusiasts enjoy the warm sound of vacuum tube amplifiers. They aren't easy to operate and require a large investment. Additionally, they generate plenty of heat, so it is important to choose one with a robust cooling system. The Nirvana IV is a good choice for those who are discerning about their audiophiles because it can be customised with a range of different tubes.
The Cayin the HA-6A is a great option for anyone who wants to enjoy the power of a tube amp at a low cost. 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 choose among three gain settings that work with headphones with low, medium and high impedance. It comes with a remote and an external power source.
Dragon Inspire IHA-1
The Dragon Inspire IHA-1 has serious hi-fi heritage It was designed by (and is manufactured under the watchful eye of) Dennis Had, founder of Cary Audio. And despite its crazy red paint it has a classic look to it that evokes classic tube gear.
The IHA-1 uses a pair of dual triodes that are 6SN7 to drive headphones. It also has transformer coupling at both outputs and inputs making it compatible with nearly any headphone. It's also small and has a smooth signal path with no feedback loop.
The IHA-1 is a rich, harmonic sound that we've found to be appealing to those who appreciate a full listening experience. It's a great choice for classical, alternative/indie and Acoustic tracks. It's also a great choice for country, pop, rock, and R&B tracks. It may be a bit warm for genres that have high energy, such as EDM or Metal. Tube rolling can help compensate for the warmth.
In general higher-sensitivity headphones usually mate well with tube amplifiers, and the IHA-1 is no exception. We tested the IHA-1 using various headphones, including the Focal, HiFiMan HE-560, and Grado RS-1. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 produced a full and round sound, with a side-to-side imaging that was remarkably precise. It also gave a sense of three-dimensional space.
The standard IHA-1 comes with a pair of 6SN7 Russian tubes. It is possible to upgrade it by $100 to a brand new RCA GZ34. The GZ34 is more warm than the 5Y3GT that was reissued however it has a more organic sound and has a lot of bass. It also has a sweet treble response that's 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 Focal's already precise imaging was able to expand forwards and outwards and reveal a vast sonic landscape. Listening to 'Nublado' by Sera Una Noche [MA Recordings, 16/44.1], for instance, was akin to walking around a vast hall that just happened include headphones.
Cayin HA-6A
This tube headphone amp from Cayin is billed as a "Tube Rolling Paradise." It's a low-cost portable amplifier that's astonishingly powerful. It can drive headphones with a planar design like the HiFiMan SUSVARA and sound great when used with dynamic headphones like the Audio-Technica's ATH-A1000X. It's also highly scalable, making it a good option for those who have different preferences in their music.
The HA-6A is a transformer-coupled device with matched outputs transformers to give a balanced output. The power supply has also been completely controlled to limit the ripple effect that is caused by voltage amplification. The circuitry is designed by hand with premium wires and point-topoint handling, resulting in greater transparency and integrity of the signal. This amp has a top-quality UV meter that displays signal levels.
The HA-6A has a switchable ultralinear/triode mode that lets you customize the sound to meet your needs. If you're looking for an authentic, warm sound, choose the EL34 tubes with a medium output impedance in triode mode. If you want a fast and detailed sound with plenty of power then you should use KT88 tubes set to ultra-linear, with a low output impedance.
The HA-6A comes with an option for tube rectification option for those who prefer an unison sound. This improves the overall sonic quality of the amplifier. This feature is ideal for users who listen to a variety of genres, ranging from hip-hop and EDM to classical and orchestral music.
This amp also features a large custom-made transformer with premium nickel plating. This ensures the amplifier is rugged and durable. It also has an innovative current adjustment that can match the impedances of various headphones.
The Cayin Ha-6A unlike the Schiit Vali 2+ has some tube bloom. The soundstage isn't as large or detailed. It also has a quicker decay time than the Vali 2+ and it has a more neutral tone overall. It also has a forward-looking midrange that has more detail and a higher bass in comparison to the Vali 2+. However it doesn't have the same amount of treble.