Amp For Planar Headphones
You want an amp that can drive planar headphones with plenty of power. Contrary to dynamic headphones which require a small amount of current, planars are much more power hungry and demand more voltage.
Find an amplifier that is compatible with a recommended range of impedance for headphones. This will be listed on the specs sheet or on their website.
AP10H+
The NVA AP10H+ headphone amplifier was built by hand in Great Britain. It is an extremely powerful amplifier that can drive almost any headphone planar (and some dynamic headphones) on the market regardless of their impedance and sensitivity. Its high current and voltage output will also provide an exceptional dynamic headroom that produces an impressive sound.
In contrast to speakers, planar magnet headphones are almost purely resistive loads, which makes them easy to drive. However, they require much more power than most receivers can achieve. To achieve their 130dB SPL, they need 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 which boosts the voltage and has a volume matching resistance that is suitable for headphones in 95% of cases. This enables the AP10H+ to provide more than twice the amount of power to a pair of 32 ohms dynamic headphones.
Nirvana IV
If you are looking for a tube amp with a warm sound profile, then the Nirvana IV is the one for you. This powerful amplifier can drive magnetic headphones that are planar easily and comes with a variety of output modes that work with the majority of headphone impedances. It also has a high-quality external power supply unit that supplies constant current to the amplifier. The amplifier is manufactured in Serbia by Milomir Trosic and uses hand-made transformers that provide exceptional musicality.
The Nirvana IV has a single-ended design that can provide 6.5W of pure class A power. It can drive a high-impedance headphone and can handle the HiFiMan Susvara open-back planar magnet headphone with ease. Its bass performance is excellent and offers great dynamic depth. The Nirvana IV also provides a rich midrange that is smooth with silky highs and a staggering amount of detail.
The amp is comparable to the Auris ha-2SE and Headonia amplifiers, but it's a better one in general because it has more balanced and precise sound. When paired with the right headphone, it can reveal the hidden layers of music, and is extremely enjoyable to listen to. Its balanced mode is particularly impressive, adding a layer of texture and warmth that is hard for other headphone amplifiers to achieve.
Many people who love headphones love the warm, rich sound of vacuum tube amplifiers. They aren't easy to operate and require a large investment. They also produce a lot heat, so choose one that has a robust cooling system. The Nirvana IV is a good option for discerning audiophiles, because it can be customised with a range of different tubes.
The Cayin Ha-6A is an excellent option for anyone who wants to experience the power and beauty of a tube amplifier for affordable cost. This amplifier is designed to work with a range of headphone types and is compatible with the majority of popular digital audio formats. The output switch lets you choose between three gain modes that work with headphones with medium, low or high impedance. 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 appearance that is reminiscent of vintage tube equipment, despite the bizarre red paint job.
The IHA-1 is compatible with every headphone because it uses a pair 6SN7 dual triodes for driving headphones. It also has transformer coupling at both the inputs and outputs. It's also compact and has an uncluttered signal path that does not have feedback loop.
We've found that the IHA-1 produces a rich and balanced sound that is sure to please those who want an immersive listening experience with a rich and enveloping music. It's a great choice for classical, indie/alternative, and Acoustic music. It's a great amplifier for pop country, R&B, and rock. However, how do planar magnetic headphones work could be a little warm side for high-energy genres such as EDM and Metal. You can make up for this by rolling the tube.
In general higher-sensitivity headphones usually be a good match for tube amplifiers and the IHA-1 is no different. We tested it with a wide variety of models for headphone, including the Focal Clear HiFiMan HE-560, Grado RS-1, and Mr. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 provided a full and smooth sound, with a lateral imaging that was impressively precise. It also created the illusion of three-dimensionality.
The standard IHA-1 comes with two Russian 6SN7 tubes. It can however be upgraded to an original RCA GZ34 tube for an additional $100. The GZ34 is warmer than the re-issue 5Y3GT and offers a more natural sound with plenty of bass. It also has a lovely response to the treble, which is recessed enough for the majority of listening experiences to be glorious and free of fatigue.
The IHA-1's 3-D soundstage becomes particularly evident when paired with the Focal headphones Utopia. The heightened sense of spaciousness allowed the Focal's already 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 walking through a large hall with headphones.
Cayin HA-6A
This tube headphone amp by Cayin is marketed as an "Tube Rolling Paradise." It's an affordable portable amplifier that's astonishingly powerful. It can drive headphones with a planar design like the HiFiMan SUSVARA and sound great when used with dynamic headphones like the Audio-Technica's ATH-A1000X. It's also highly adaptable making it a great choice for music lovers with a variety of listening preferences.
The HA-6A features a transformer-coupled design with output transformers that are matched to give a balanced output. The power supply is also fully controlled, which decreases the ripple impact of voltage amplifying. The circuitry is designed by hand with premium wires and point-topoint using, which results in superior transparency and integrity of the signal. This amp has a top-quality UV meter that can display the levels of signal.
The HA-6A comes with an option to switch between ultralinear and triode modes to give you a different audio experience based on your preferences. If you are looking for a deep warm, warm, and melodious sound, use the EL34 tubes in triode mode with medium output impedance. If you're looking for a fast and detailed sound with plenty of muscle, then use KT88 tubes set to ultra-linear and low output impedance.
The HA-6A is a tube with an option of rectification for those who prefer an unison sound. This enhances the overall sonic quality of the amplifier. This feature is perfect for those who appreciate the wide variety of music genres, from classical and orchestral to hip-hop, EDM and other electronic music.
This amp also features an enormous custom-designed transformer that has high-grade nickel plating. This makes the amplifier tough and robust. It also features an innovative current adjustment that will allow you to match the impedances of various headphones.
Unlike the Schiit Vali 2+, the Cayin HA-6A has a bit of a tube bloom and sound stage that isn't as large or as precise. It has a much faster decay time and more neutral sound than the Vali 2. It also has a forward-looking midrange, with more detail and a higher bass than the Vali 2+. However it does not have the same amount of treble.