Amp For Planar Headphones
You want an amp that can drive planar headphones with plenty of power. Planar headphones require higher power and voltage than dynamic headphones, which require only a tiny amount of current.
Find an amplifier that is compatible with a recommended range of impedance for headphones. Most will have this listed on their spec sheet or on their website.
AP10H+
The NVA AP10H+ headphone amplifier was built by hand in Great Britain. It is a powerhouse that can drive virtually any pair of planar headphones (and some of the more dynamic ones) available, regardless of their sensitivity or impedance. Its high voltage output and current will also provide an exceptional dynamic headroom that produces an amazing sound.
Planar magnetic headphones unlike speakers, are essentially resistive loads. They are therefore relatively easy to drive. They require a much higher amount of drive than what can be provided by the majority of receivers. To achieve their 130dB SPL, they must have 4V5 to 10V5 at 1mW of input. This is why solid state amplifiers of class A are the best option for them.
The AP10H+ has an output transformer that boosts the voltage and a volume matching resistance that is suitable for headphones in 95% of cases. This enables 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 an appealing warm sound profile. This powerful amplifier is capable of driving planar magnetic headphones effortlessly and has a wide range of output options to accommodate most headphones with different impedances. It is equipped with an external power supply unit that is of high quality that supplies constant currents to the amplifier. The amplifier was designed in Serbia by Milomir Trosic, and it utilizes hand-crafted transformators that offer extraordinary musicality.
The Nirvana IV is a single-ended amplifier that can deliver 6.5W pure power in class A. It can easily drive high-impedance headphones and can handle the HiFiMan SUSVARA open-back magnetic headphone with ease. The bass response and dynamic depth are excellent. The Nirvana IV also provides a rich midrange, with soft highs and an amazing amount of detail.
This amp is comparable to the Auris ha-2SE and Headonia amplifiers however, it's a superior one in general because it has a more balanced and precise sound. It can reveal hidden layers in music when used with the correct headphone. It is also very enjoyable to listen. Its balanced mode is especially impressive, bringing a layer of warmth and tube smoothness that is hard for other headphone amplifiers to achieve.
Many headphone enthusiasts love the warm, rich 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 you should choose one with a sturdy cooling system. The Nirvana IV can be customized to meet the preferences of audiophiles.
The Cayin the HA-6A is a great alternative for those who want to experience the power of a tube amplifier but with a price that isn't too expensive. This amp is designed to work with a range of headphone models and is compatible with most popular digital audio formats. The output switch lets you choose among three gain settings suitable for headphones that have medium, low and high impedance. It comes with a remote and an external power source.
Dragon Inspire IHA-1
The Dragon Inspire IHA-1 is a high-end hi-fi heritage It was designed by (and is manufactured under the watchful eye of) Dennis Had, founder of Cary Audio. It has a timeless design that evokes classic tube equipment, despite the bizarre red paint job.
The IHA-1 is compatible with every headphone since it utilizes the 6SN7 dual triodes for driving headphones. It also has transformer coupling at both inputs as well as outputs. It's also very compact and has a clear signal path with no feedback loop.
In our experience, the IHA-1 produces a full and balanced sound that will please listeners who prefer an immersive listening experience with a rich and enveloping music. It's a great choice for classical, alternative/indie, and acoustic tracks. It's also a great amp for country, pop and rock R&B tracks. It can be a bit warm for genres with a lot of energy, like EDM or Metal. Tube rolling can help make up for the warmth.
The IHA-1 isn't an exception to this rule. In general, headphones with higher sensitivity tend to pair well with tube amplifiers. We tested the IHA-1 on various headphone models including the Focal, HiFiMan HE-560, and Grado RS-1. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 provided a rich round sound, with an impressively precise lateral imaging as well as a spatial sense that was truly amazing.
The standard IHA-1 includes 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 sound than the 5Y3GT reissue, but has a more natural and bassy sound. It also has a sweet tone that is recessed enough to make the majority of listening experiences glorious and fatigue-free.
The IHA-1's impressive 3-D soundstage was particularly apparent when it was paired with the Focal Utopia headphones. The increased sense of space allowed the Focal's previously precise lateral imaging to extend outward and forward, revealing a vast soundscape. Listening to the track 'Nublado' from Sera Una Noche [MA Recordings, 16/44.1], for instance, was like walking around a vast hall that happened to include headphones.
Cayin HA-6A
This tube headphone amp by Cayin is billed as an "Tube Rolling Paradise." headphone planar 's a budget portable amplifier that's quite powerful. It can power headphones that are planar like the HiFiMan SUSVARA and also sound fantastic when paired with dynamic headphones, such as the Audio-Technica ATH-A1000X. It is also highly adaptable, making it a great option for those who have different listening preferences.
The HA-6A is a transformer-coupled design with output transformers matched to provide true balanced output. The power supply is also fully controlled, which minimizes the ripple impact of voltage amplifying. The circuitry is handcrafted with premium wires and point-topoint handling, resulting in greater transparency and integrity of the signal. This amp also comes with an ultra-high-quality UV meter that displays the signal's levels.
The HA-6A has an ultralinear/triode switchable mode that allows you to alter the sound to meet your preferences. If you're looking for an authentic, warm sound, use the EL34 tubes with moderate output impedance when in triode mode. On the other hand, if you desire a fast and detailed sound with plenty of muscle you should use a pair KT88 tubes in ultra-linear mode and low output impedance.
The HA-6A comes with an option for tube rectification option for those who prefer a neutral sound. This improves the overall sound quality of the amplifier. This feature is perfect for users who listen to a variety of genres, from hip-hop and EDM to classical and orchestral music.
This amp also comes with a large custom-made transformer with high-grade nickel plating. This ensures that the amplifier is rugged and durable. It also features an innovative current adjustment feature that can match the impedances of different headphones.
The Cayin Ha-6A, unlike the Schiit Vali 2+ has some tube bloom. Its soundstage isn't as large or detailed. It also has a quicker decay time than the Vali 2+ and an overall more neutral tone. It has a more forward midrange with more bass and better detail than the Vali 2+, but it doesn't have the same amount of treble extension.