Planar Headphone's History Of Planar Headphone In 10 Milestones

Amp For Planar Headphones

When you are looking for amps for headphones with planars, you need something with plenty of power to drive them. Contrary to dynamic headphones which require very little current, planars are more demanding in terms of power and require more voltage.

Look for an amplifier that has a recommended range of impedance for headphones. It will be noted on the specs sheet or on their website.

AP10H+

The NVA AP10H+ is a headphone amplifier designed and hand made in Great Britain. It is a powerful amplifier that can power virtually any pair of planar headphones (and some dynamic ones) available, regardless of their impedance or sensitivity. Its high-voltage and current output will provide exceptional dynamic headroom for an outstanding sound.

Unlike speakers, planar magnetic headphones are almost purely resistive loads and thus relatively easy to drive. They require a much higher amount of drive than what can be provided by the majority of receivers. To reach their rated 130dB SPL, they require 4V5-10V5 with 1mW of input. Class A solid state amplifiers are the best magnetic planar headphones choice for them.

The AP10H+ has an output transformer that increases the voltage to a greater degree, and AKG K712PRO: Premium Open-Back Studio Headphones includes a volume matching resistor that works with 95% of headphones. The AP10H+ can provide twice as much power to the 32 ohm dynamic headphones.

Nirvana IV

If you love an amp that has a tube-like warm sound profile, then the Nirvana IV is the one for you. This powerful amplifier can power headphones with magnetic planar design easily and comes with a variety of output modes that work with the majority of headphone impedances. It also comes with a high-end external power supply unit that supplies constant current to the amplifier. The amplifier was developed in Serbia by Milomir Trosic, and it uses hand-made transformators that provide incredible musicality.

The Nirvana IV has a single-ended design that can provide 6.5W of pure class A power. It can drive high-impedance headphones and is able to handle the HiFiMan Susvara open-back planar magnetic headphone easily. Its bass performance is outstanding and offers incredible dynamic depth. The Nirvana IV also provides a rich midrange, with silky highs and a staggering amount of detail.

This amp is comparable to the Auris ha-2SE and Headonia amplifiers however, it's a better one in general, as it has more precise and balanced sound. It can reveal hidden layers in music when used with the right headphone. It is also very enjoyable to listen to. Its balanced mode is particularly impressive, bringing a layer of warmth and tube smoothness that is hard for other headphone amplifiers to achieve.

Vacuum tube amplifiers are a favorite for headphone lovers since they provide a warm, cosy sound that many people enjoy. They aren't easy to operate and require a significant investment. They also produce a lot heat, so choose one with a sturdy cooling mechanism. The Nirvana IV can be customized to suit the tastes of audiophiles.

The Cayin Ha-6A is a fantastic option for those looking to experience the power and beauty of a tube amplifier at an affordable price. This amplifier can be used with various types of headphones and is compatible with most well-known digital audio formats. Its output switch allows users to select from three gain modes, which are suitable to medium, low, and high-impedance headphones. It also comes with a remote control and Akg K712Pro: Premium Open-Back Studio Headphones an external power supply.

Dragon Inspire IHA-1

The Dragon Inspire IHA-1 is an impressive hi-fi device. 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 is compatible with every headphone because it uses the 6SN7 dual triodes for driving headphones. It also features transformer coupling at both the inputs as well as the outputs. It's also compact and has a clear signal path, with no feedback loop.

The IHA-1 is a rich, harmonic sound that we've 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 choice for pop, country and rock R&B tracks. It may be a bit warm for genres with high energy, like EDM or Metal. Tube rolling can help you to offset the warmth.

The IHA-1 isn't an exception to this rule. In general, headphones with higher sensitivity are more likely to work with tube amplifiers. We tried it on a wide range of headphone models which included the Focal Clear HiFiMan HE-560, Grado RS-1, and Mr. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 produced a full and rounded sound, with lateral imaging that was impressively precise. It also created an illusion of three-dimensional space.

The standard IHA-1 comes with a pair of 6SN7 Russian tubes. It can be upgraded for $100 more to a new RCA GZ34. The GZ34 is warmer than the 5Y3GT that was reissued and has a more organic sound with ample bass. It also has a sweet bass response that's not too recessed to make the majority of listening experiences glorious and fatigue-free.

The IHA-1's remarkable 3-D soundstage was particularly apparent when paired with the Focal Utopia headphones. The increased sense of space enabled the Focal's already precise lateral imaging to expand outward and forward, revealing a vast soundscape. Listening to "Nublado" from Sera Una Noche (MA Recordings 16/44.1) was like wandering through a large hall with 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 planar headphones such as the HiFiMan SUSVARA effortlessly and also sounds great when paired with dynamic headphones such as the Audio-Technica A1000X. It's also extremely scalable which makes it a great option for those with a variety of listening preferences.

The HA-6A is a transformer-coupled model with output transformers matched to offer true balanced output. The power supply is also fully controlled, which decreases the ripple effect of voltage amplifying. The circuitry is made by hand with points-to-point amplification and Premium Meze 99 Classics Walnut Gold Headphones wires, resulting in superior clarity and signal integrity. This amp comes with a AKG K712PRO: Premium Open-Back Studio Headphones, UV meter to display signal levels.

The HA-6A features a switchable ultralinear/triode mode that allows you to customize the sound to fit your needs. If you are looking for a deep, warm, and musical sound, run the EL34 tubes in triode mode using moderate output impedance. If you are looking for a quick and detailed sound with lots of muscle then you should use KT88 tubes set to ultra-linear with low output impedance.

If you prefer more neutral sound, the HA-6A features an optional tube rectification feature that improves the overall sonic 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.

This amp also features a custom-designed transformer with the highest-quality nickel plating. This makes the amplifier tough and robust. It also has an innovative current adjustment that matches the impedance of headphones.

Unlike the Schiit Vali 2+, the Cayin HA-6A has a little bit of a tube bloom as well as a sound stage that's not quite as large or as detailed. It also has a quicker decay time than the Vali 2+ and it has a more neutral tone overall. It has a more forward midrange with more bass and better detail than the Vali 2+, but it does not have as much extension of the treble.