A Step-By Step Guide For Choosing Your Planar Headphone

Amp For Planar Headphones

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

Look for an amplifier that is within the recommended range of headphone impedance. This will be listed on the specifications sheet or on their website.

AP10H+

The NVA AP10H+ headphone amplifier is created and manufactured by hand in Great Britain. It is a powerful amplifier that can drive virtually any planar headphones (and some of the more dynamic ones) on the market regardless of their impedance or sensitivity. Its high-voltage and current output will also offer a high-quality dynamic headroom for an outstanding sound.


Planar magnetic headphones like speakers are almost exclusively resistive loads. They are therefore easy to drive. However, they require much more power than most receivers can produce. In order to achieve their 130dB SPL rating they require 4V5 or 10V5 input at 1mW. Class A solid state amplifiers are the ideal choice for them.

The AP10H+ comes with an output transformer that raises the voltage to a much greater degree, and has a volume matching resistor that is suitable for 95% of headphones. This enables the AP10H+ to deliver more than double the amount of power to the 32 ohms of dynamic headphones.

Nirvana IV

The Nirvana IV tube amp has an enveloping sound. This powerful amplifier can power magnetic headphones that are planar easily and has a variety of output options that can accommodate most headphone impedances. It also has a top-quality external power supply unit that delivers constant current to the amplifier. The amplifier was made in Serbia by Milomir Trosic, and it uses hand-made transformators that provide extraordinary musicality.

The Nirvana IV is a single-ended amplifier that produces 6.5W pure power in class A. It can drive high-impedance headphone and can handle the HiFiMan Susvara open-back planar magnet headphone with ease. Its bass performance and dynamic depth are excellent. The Nirvana IV has a rich midrange, smooth highs, and a dazzling amount of detail.

The amp is comparable to the Auris ha-2SE and Headonia amplifiers however, it's a superior one overall because it has more precise and balanced sound. best planar magnetic iem can uncover hidden layers of music when paired with the right headphone. It is also very enjoyable to listen to. Its balanced mode is especially impressive, adding a layer of texture and warmth that is difficult for other headphone amplifiers to achieve.

Many enthusiasts of headphones appreciate the warm sound of vacuum tube amplifiers. However, they can be difficult to use and require a significant investment. They also produce a lot of heat, so make sure you choose one with a strong cooling system. The Nirvana IV is a good choice for those who are discerning about their audiophiles as it can be customised with a range of different tubes.

The Cayin HA-6A is an excellent choice for anyone looking to experience the power of a tube amp with a small price tag. The amplifier is designed to work with a variety of headphone models and is compatible with most popular digital audio formats. The output switch lets you select between three gain settings suitable for headphones with medium, low or high impedance. It also includes the ability to control the remote and 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 bizarre red paint it has a classic appearance that evokes classic tube equipment.

The IHA-1 makes use of a pair of 6SN7 dual triodes to drive headphones. It also has transformer coupling at both inputs and outputs, making it compatible with almost any headphone. It's also very compact and has a clear signal path that doesn't have a feedback loop.

The IHA-1 has a rich, harmonic sound that we have found to be a hit with listeners who love a rich listening experience. It's a great choice for classical, alternative/indie, and Acoustic tracks. It's also a great amplifier for country, pop, rock, and R&B tracks. It can be a little warm for genres with lots of energy, such as EDM or Metal. It is possible to compensate for this by tube rolling.

The IHA-1 is not an exception to this rule. In general, headphones with greater sensitiveness tend to be compatible with tube amplifiers. We tested it using a broad variety of models for headphone including the Focal Clear HiFiMan HE-560, Grado RS-1, and Mr. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 delivered a full and rounded sound with astonishingly precise lateral imaging and a spatial sense that was truly enthralling.

The standard IHA-1 includes a pair 6SN7 Russian tubes. It can be upgraded for an additional $100 to a brand new RCA GZ34. The GZ34 is warmer than the 5Y3GT that was reissued and offers a more natural sound with plenty of bass. It also has a smooth tone that is recessed enough to make most listening experiences glorious and fatigue-free.

The IHA-1's amazing 3-D soundstage is particularly evident when paired with the Focal Utopia headphones. The heightened sense of spaciousness allowed the Focal's previously precise lateral imaging to expand outward and forward, creating a vast soundscape. Listening to "Nublado" from Sera Una Noche (MA Recordings 16/44.1) was like wandering through a vast space with your headphones.

Cayin HA-6A

This tube headphone amp by Cayin is billed as an "Tube Rolling Paradise." It's a budget, portable amplifier that's surprisingly powerful. It can drive planar headphones such as the HiFiMan SUSVARA with ease, and it also sounds great when paired with headphones that are dynamic, such as the Audio-Technica ATH 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 design with output transformers that are matched to provide true balanced output. The power supply is also fully regulated, which reduces the ripple impact of voltage amplification. The circuitry is designed by hand with premium wires and point-topoint wielding, resulting in superior transparency and signal integrity. This amp also comes with an ultra-high-quality UV meter that displays the signal's levels.

The HA-6A has the option of switching between triode and ultralinear modes to give you a different sound experience based on your needs. If you are looking for a deep, warm, and musical sound, you can use the EL34 tubes in triode mode with medium output impedance. If you're looking for a fast, detailed sound, with plenty of muscle and power, then choose KT88 tubes set to ultra-linear, with a low output impedance.

For those who prefer an unison sound, HA-6A has an optional tube rectification that enhances the overall sound quality of the amplifier. This feature is perfect for users who enjoy the wide variety of music genres, from classical and orchestral, to hip-hop, EDM and other electronic music.

The amp is also constructed with a large, custom-made output transformer, which features premium nickel plating. This makes the amplifier tough and robust. It also comes with an innovative current adjustment which can match the impedances of different headphones.

The Cayin Ha-6A, unlike the Schiit Vali 2+ has a little bit of tube bloom. The sound stage is also not as detailed or large. It has a much faster decay time, and a more neutral sound than the Vali 2. It has a forward midrange that has more detail and more bass, as compared to the Vali 2+. However, it does not have as much treble.

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Pub: 22 Mar 2024 02:15 UTC

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