Amp For Planar Headphones
When it comes to amps that are suitable for headphones designed for planar, you’ll need something that has plenty of power to drive them. Planar headphones require more power and voltage than dynamic headphones, which require only a a small amount of current.
Look for an amp that is compatible with an impedance range that is recommended for headphone use. This will be listed on the spec sheet or their website.
AP10H+
The NVA AP10H+ headphone amplifier was designed and made by hand in Great Britain. It is a powerhouse that can drive almost any planar headphones (and some dynamic ones) available, regardless of their sensitivity or impedance. Its high voltage and current output will also give you a dynamic headroom that is an impressive sound.
Planar magnetic headphones like speakers are almost entirely resistive loads. They are, therefore, relatively easy to drive. They require a higher level of drive than that which 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 solid state amplifiers in class A are the Best Magnetic Planar Headphones (http://Www.Kuangjiab.Com) choice for them.
The AP10H+ comes with an output transformer that boosts the voltage to a higher level, and it has a volume matching resistor that can be used with the majority of headphones. This allows the AP10H+ to deliver more than double the amount of power to 32 ohms 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 has a variety of output modes that work with most headphone 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 uses hand-made transformators that provide exceptional musicality.
The Nirvana IV has a single-ended design that delivers 6.5W of pure class A power. It can drive high-impedance headphones and can handle the HiFiMan Susvara closed-back planar magnetic headphones magnet open-back headphone effortlessly. Its bass quality is superb and has excellent dynamic depth. 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, but it’s a better one overall because it has a more precise and balanced sound. It can reveal hidden layers in music when used with the correct headphone. It’s also enjoyable to listen to. Its balanced mode is particularly impressive, adding a layer warmth and smoothness that is hard for other headphone amplifiers to match.
Vacuum tube amplifiers are popular for headphone lovers since they provide a warm, cosy sound that a lot of people love. They aren’t easy to operate and require a large investment. They also produce a lot heat, so make sure you choose one with a sturdy cooling system. The Nirvana IV is a good choice for those who are discerning about their audiophiles since it is able to be customised with a range of different tubes.
The Cayin Ha-6A is a great option for anyone who wants to experience the power and beauty of a tube amp at affordable cost. This amp is designed to work with a variety of headphones and is compatible with the majority of popular digital audio formats. The output switch lets you select between three gain settings suitable for headphones that have medium, low and high impedance. It also includes a remote control as well as 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. And despite its crazy red paint scheme, it has a timeless appearance that’s reminiscent of classic tube equipment.
The IHA-1 is compatible with any 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 is also compact and has an uncluttered signal path that does not have a feedback loop.
In our experience, the IHA-1 produces a full and harmonic sound that will please listeners who prefer an immersive listening experience with a rich and enveloping music. It’s an excellent choice for classical, indie/alternative, and the acoustic genres. It’s also a great amplifier for pop, country rock, R&B tracks. However, it’s slightly warmer side for Best Magnetic Planar Headphones high-energy genres such as EDM and Metal. You can make up for this with tube rolling.
The IHA-1 is not an exception to this rule. In general, headphones with higher sensitivity tend to pair well with tube amplifiers. We tested it with a wide variety of models for headphone, including the Focal Clear, HiFiMan HE-560, Grado RS-1, and Mr. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 created a rich and round sound, with a lateral imaging that was impressively precise. It also gave an illusion of three-dimensional space.
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 is more warm than the 5Y3GT that was reissued however it has a more organic sound with ample bass. It also has a lovely bass response that’s not too recessed to make most listening experiences enjoyable and stress-free.
The IHA-1’s remarkable 3-D soundstage was particularly apparent when paired with the Focal Utopia headphones. The Focal’s already precise image was able to expand forwards and outwards, revealing an expansive soundscape. Listening to «Nublado» from Sera Una Noche (MA Recordings 16/44.1) was like wandering through a large hall with your headphones.
Cayin HA-6A
This tube headphone amplifier that is affordable from Cayin is a portable amplifier with an impressive power. It’s capable of driving headphones with a planar design, such as the HiFiMan SUSVARA easily, and it is also great with dynamic headphones such as the Audio-Technica A1000X. It’s also extremely scalable making it a great choice for music lovers who have different preferences in their music.
The HA-6A is a transformer-coupled model with matched output transformers that provide true balanced output. The power supply is fully controlled, which minimizes the ripple impact of voltage amplifying. The circuitry is hand-crafted with point to point wielding and high-quality wires, resulting in better quality and integrity of the signal as well as transparency. This amp also features an ultra-high-quality UV meter which displays signal levels.
The HA-6A has an ultralinear/triode mode switchable that allows you to alter the sound to meet your preferences. If you want a rich warm, warm, and melodious sound, use the EL34 tubes in triode mode, with moderate output impedance. On the other hand, if want an exceptionally precise and fast sound with plenty of muscle you should use a pair KT88 tubes in ultra-linear mode with low output impedance.
HA-6A offers an optional tube rectification feature for those who prefer an unison sound. This enhances the overall sound quality of the amplifier. This feature is ideal for those who love a wide range of music genres from classical and orchestral, to hip-hop, EDM and other electronic music.
The amp also has a large custom-made transformer with premium nickel plating. This makes the amplifier durable and durable. It also has an innovative current adjustment that matches the impedance of different headphones.
Contrary to the Schiit Vali 2+, the Cayin HA-6A has a little bit of a tube-like bloom and soundstage that’s not as big or as detailed. 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 detail than the Vali 2+, but it does not have the same amount of extension of the treble.