Notes

15 Interesting Facts About Planar Headphone That You Never Knew
Amp For Planar Headphones

When it comes to amps that are suitable for headphones with planars, you need one with enough power to drive them. In contrast to dynamic headphones, which require a small amount of current, planars are much more demanding in terms of power and require more voltage.

Look for an amplifier that is within the recommended range of impedance for headphones. Most will have this information on their spec sheet or website.

AP10H+

The NVA AP10H+ is a headphone amplifier developed and made by hand in Great Britain. It is a powerful amplifier that can drive virtually any pair of planar headphones (and some of the more dynamic ones) available, regardless of their impedance or sensitivity. Its high voltage output and current will also provide a stunning dynamic headroom that produces an impressive sound.

Planar magnetic headphones like speakers are almost exclusively resistive loads. They are therefore easy to drive. However, they require much higher levels of drive than most receivers can achieve. To achieve their rated 130dB SPL, they need 4V5-10V5 with 1mW of input. Class A solid state amplifiers are the best choice for them.

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

Nirvana IV

If you're looking for tubes with a warm sound, then the Nirvana IV is the one for you. This powerful amplifier can drive headphones with magnetic planar design easily and comes with a variety of output modes that work with most headphone impedances. It has an external power supply unit that is of high quality that supplies constant currents to the amplifier. The amplifier was developed in Serbia by Milomir Trosic, and it makes use of hand-crafted transformators that give incredible musicality.

The Nirvana IV has a single-ended design that delivers 6.5W of pure class A power. It is able to easily drive high-impedance headphones and is able to handle the HiFiMan SUSVARA planar open-back magnetic headphone easily. The bass response and dynamic depth are excellent. The Nirvana IV has a rich midrange, smooth highs, and an impressive amount detail.

This amp can be compared to the Auris Ha-2SE and the Headonia amplifier, but it's better overall since it offers more clarity and precision as well as more balanced sound. It can reveal hidden layers in music when paired with the right headphone. It is also very enjoyable to listen to. Its balanced mode is particularly impressive, bringing a layer of warmth and smoothness that is difficult for other headphone amplifiers to achieve.

Vacuum tube amplifiers are a favorite among headphone enthusiasts because they have a warm and enveloping sound that people appreciate. They can be difficult to operate and require a large investment. They also produce a lot heat, so you should choose one with a strong cooling mechanism. The Nirvana IV is a good option for discerning audiophiles, since it is able to be customized with a variety of different tubes.

The Cayin Ha-6A is a great option for anyone who wants to enjoy the power and elegance of a tube amplifier for a low price. This amp can be used with a variety of headphone models, and it is compatible with most popular digital audio formats. The output switch lets you to choose between three gain settings that are suitable for low, medium and high-impedance headphones. It comes with a remote and an external power source.

Dragon Inspire IHA-1

The Dragon Inspire IHA-1 is a serious hi-fi product. It was created (and manufactured) by Dennis Had, founder Cary Audio. It has a timeless design that evokes classic tube equipment, despite its bizarre red paint job.

The IHA-1 utilizes a pair 6SN7 dual triodes to power headphones. It has transformer coupling on both the inputs and outputs, making it compatible with virtually any headphone. It is also compact and has a clear signal path without any feedback loop.

The IHA-1 has a rich and acoustic sound that we've discovered to be appealing to those who appreciate a full listening experience. It's a great choice for classical, indie/alternative, and the acoustic genres. It's also a great choice for country, pop, rock, and R&B tracks. However, it can be slightly warm side for high-energy genres such as EDM and Metal. It is possible to compensate for this with tube rolling.

The IHA-1 is not an exception to this rule. In general, headphones with higher sensitivity are more likely to work with tube amplifiers. We tested the IHA-1 on a variety of headphone models including the Focal, HiFiMan HE-560 and Grado RS-1. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 delivered a full, rounded sound with impressively precise lateral imaging and three-dimensional sense of space that was truly enthralling.

The standard IHA-1 comes with a pair of 6SN7 Russian tubes. It can however be upgraded to a NOS RCA GZ34 tube for an extra $100. The GZ34 has a warmer tone than the 5Y3GT that was reissued, but it has a more natural and bassy sound. It also has a sweet response to the treble that is not too recessed to allow the majority of listening experiences to be stunning and fatigue-free.

The IHA-1's impressive 3-D soundstage was particularly apparent when paired with the Focal Utopia headphones. The Focal's already precise soundstage was able to expand outwards and forwards, revealing an expansive sonic landscape. Listening to the track 'Nublado' from Sera Una Noche [MA Recordings, 16/44.1], for instance, was akin to wandering around a huge hall that happened to have your headphones in it.


Cayin HA-6A

This budget-friendly tube headphone amplifier from Cayin is a portable amplifier with surprising power. It's capable of driving headphones with a planar design, such as the HiFiMan SUSVARA effortlessly, and it also sounds great when paired with headphones that are dynamic, such as the Audio-Technica ATH-A1000X. It's also highly adaptable which makes it a great option for those with various listening preferences.

The HA-6A is a transformer-coupled device with output transformers that are matched to provide a true balanced output. The power supply has also been fully controlled to minimize the ripple effect caused by voltage amplifying. The circuitry is made by hand with premium wires and point-topoint wielding, resulting in superior transparency and signal integrity. This amp features a high-grade UV meter that displays signal levels.

The HA-6A comes with an ultralinear/triode mode switchable that allows you to alter the sound to suit your preferences. If you're looking for an enveloping, rich sound, choose the EL34 tubes that have an output impedance of medium in triode mode. If you're looking for a fast and detailed sound with plenty of power then you should use KT88 tubes set to ultra-linear, with a low output impedance.

For those who prefer a more neutral sound, the HA-6A features an optional tube rectification feature that improves the overall sonic quality of the amplifier. This feature is perfect for users who listen to a variety of genres, ranging from hip-hop and EDM to classical and orchestral music.

The amp is also built with a huge, custom-designed output transformer, which features premium nickel plating. This ensures that the amplifier is rugged and durable. It also features an innovative current adjustment that will allow you to match the impedances of various headphones.

The Cayin Ha-6A is different from the Schiit Vali 2+ has a tiny bit of tube bloom. planar magnetic vs dynamic isn't as detailed or large. It has a quicker decay time and more neutral sound than the Vali 2. It also has a forward-looking midrange, with more detail and more bass, than the Vali 2+. However it doesn't have as much treble.

Website: https://www.headphonesshop.uk/categories/planar-magnetic-headphones