The Most Successful Planar Headphone Experts Have Been Doing Three Things

Amp For Planar Headphones

You'll need an amp that can drive planar headphones with plenty of power. Unlike dynamic headphones that require a small amount of power, planars are more power hungry and demand more voltage.

Find an amplifier that is compatible with a recommended range of impedance for headphones. This can be found on the specifications sheet or on their website.

AP10H+

The NVA AP10H+ is a headphone amplifier that was designed and hand made in Great Britain. It is a beast that can drive virtually any planar headphones (and some of the more dynamic ones) available, regardless of their sensitivity or impedance. Its high voltage and current output will provide exceptional dynamic headroom for impressive sound.

Unlike speakers, planar magnetic headphones are essentially resistive loads and thus relatively easy to drive. They require a higher level of drive than can be achieved by the majority of receivers. For them to reach their 130dB SPL, they require 4V5 or 10V5 input at 1mW. This is why solid state amplifiers in class A are the best option for them.

The AP10H+ has an output transformer that raises the power to a greater level, and it has a volume matching resistor that can be used with 95percent of headphones. This allows the AP10H+ to deliver more than twice the power to a pair of 32 ohms dynamic headphones.

Nirvana IV

The Nirvana IV tube amp has a warm sound signature. This powerful amplifier can power magnetic headphones that are planar easily and comes with a variety of output options that can accommodate the majority of headphones' impedances. It is equipped with an external power supply unit of top quality that delivers constant currents to the amplifier. The amplifier was designed in Serbia by Milomir Trosic and uses hand-made transformers that provide exceptional musicality.

magnetic planar speakers has a single-ended design that can deliver 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 easily. Its bass performance is excellent and offers incredible dynamic depth. The Nirvana IV also provides a rich midrange that is smooth with soft highs and an amazing amount of detail.

The amp is comparable to the Auris Ha-2SE and Headonia amplifier but it's more effective overall because it has more clarity and precision with a more balanced sound. When it's paired with the correct headphones, it will reveal hidden layers of music and is a joy to listen to. Its balanced mode is particularly impressive, bringing a layer of warmth and smoothness that's hard for other headphone amplifiers to match.

Vacuum tube amplifiers are popular with headphone lovers because they have a warm and enveloping sound that many people enjoy. However, they can be difficult to make use of and require a significant investment. In addition, they produce 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 since it is able to be customized with a variety of different tubes.

The Cayin HA-6A is an excellent alternative for those who want to feel the power of a tube amplifier at a low cost. This amplifier is designed to work with a range of headphone models and is compatible with all popular digital audio formats. The output switch lets you to select from three gain settings, which are suitable for medium, low and high-impedance headphones. It includes a remote as well as an external power source.

Dragon Inspire IHA-1

The Dragon Inspire IHA-1 has serious hi-fi pedigree it was created by (and is manufactured under the watchful eye of) Dennis Had, founder of Cary Audio. It has a timeless appearance that is reminiscent of classic tube equipment, despite the crazy red paint job.

The IHA-1 is compatible with every headphone because it uses a pair 6SN7 dual triodes to drive headphones. It also has transformer coupling at both inputs as well as the outputs. It's also very compact and has a clean signal path, with no feedback loop.

In our experience, the IHA-1 produces a rich and balanced sound that will appeal to listeners who prefer an immersive listening experience with lush music. It's a great option for classical, alternative/indie and the acoustic genres. It's a great amplifier for pop, country, R&B, and rock. However, it's slightly warmer side for high-energy genres such as EDM and Metal. It is possible to compensate for this with tube rolling.

As a rule higher-sensitivity headphones usually be a good match for tube amplifiers and the IHA-1 is no different. We tested the IHA-1 with various headphone models, including the Focal, HiFiMan HE-560, and Grado RS-1. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 produced a full and smooth sound, with side-to-side imaging that was remarkably precise. It also gave an illusion of three-dimensional space.

The standard IHA-1 comes with a pair of 6SN7 Russian tubes. It can however be upgraded to an original RCA GZ34 tube for an extra $100. The GZ34 has a more warm sound than the 5Y3GT that was reissued, but has a more natural and bassy sound. It also has a lovely response to the treble that is recessed enough for the majority of listening experiences to be stunning and fatigue-free.

The IHA-1's amazing 3-D soundstage was particularly apparent when paired with the Focal Utopia headphones. The Focal's already precise imaging was able to expand forwards and outwards to reveal an expansive soundscape. Listening to the track 'Nublado' from 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 amplifier that is affordable from Cayin is a portable amp with an impressive power. It's capable of driving headphones with a planar design, such as the HiFiMan SUSVARA effortlessly and is also great with dynamic headphones such as the Audio-Technica ATH-A1000X. It's also highly adaptable making it a great choice for music lovers with various listening preferences.

The HA-6A has a transformer-coupled construction with output transformers that are matched to ensure a balanced output. The power supply has been fully regulated to reduce the ripple effect resulting from voltage amplification. The circuitry is handcrafted using premium wires and point-to-point using, which results in superior transparency and integrity of the signal. This amp comes with a premium UV meter that can display the signal strength.

The HA-6A comes with a switchable ultralinear/triode mode that allows you to customize the sound to fit your needs. If you want an authentic, warm sound, use the EL34 tubes with an output impedance of medium in triode mode. If you're looking for a fast and precise sound with plenty of power, then 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 enhances the overall sonic performance of the amplifier. This feature is perfect for users who enjoy a wide range of music genres, from classical and orchestral to hip-hop, EDM and other electronic music.

This amp is also designed with a large, custom-made output transformer that features high-quality nickel plating. This makes the amplifier durable and robust. It also features an innovative current adjustment feature that will allow you to match the impedances of various headphones.

In contrast to the Schiit Vali 2+, the Cayin HA-6A has a little bit of a tube-like bloom and sound stage that's not quite as large or as detailed. It has a quicker 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 as compared to the Vali 2+. However, it does not have as much treble.

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Pub: 21 Mar 2024 17:40 UTC

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