5 Planar Headphone Tips From The Pros

Amp For planar magnetic iem Headphones

You'll need an amp that can drive planar headphones with plenty of power. Contrary to dynamic headphones which require a small amount of power, planars are more energy-intensive and require more voltage.

Find an amplifier that is compatible with an impedance range that is recommended for headphone use. Most will have this listed on their spec sheet or on their website.

AP10H+

The NVA AP10H+ is a headphone amplifier developed and made by hand in Great Britain. It is an extremely powerful amplifier that can be used to drive virtually any headphone planar, http://bitetheass.com/, (and some dynamic headphones) 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 impressive sound.

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

The AP10H+ has an output transformer that increases the voltage as well as a volume matching resistance that is suitable for headphones in 85% of cases. This enables the AP10H+ to deliver more than double the amount of power to the 32 ohms of dynamic headphones.

Nirvana IV

If you love tubes with a warm sound signature then the Nirvana IV is the one for you. This powerful amplifier can power planar magnetic headphones easily and comes with a variety of output modes that support most headphones with different impedances. It also comes with a high-end external power supply unit that provides constant current to the amplifier. The amplifier is made in Serbia by Milomir Trosic and uses hand-made transformers that produce exceptional sound.

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

This amp can be compared to the Auris Ha-2SE and the Headonia amplifier however, it's superior overall due to its greater clarity and precision as well as more 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 especially impressive, since it adds warmth and tube smoothness to the sound that is difficult to discover in other headphone amplifiers.

Vacuum tube amplifiers are a favorite with headphone lovers because they have a warm and enveloping sound that many people enjoy. They can be difficult to operate and require an extensive investment. They also generate a lot of heat, so you should select one with a strong cooling system. The Nirvana IV can be customized to suit the tastes of audiophiles.

The Cayin the HA-6A is a great alternative for those who want to feel the power of a tube amp but with a price that isn't too expensive. The amplifier is designed to work with a variety of headphone models and is compatible with the majority of popular digital audio formats. Its output switch allows you to select from three gain settings that are suitable to medium, low and high-impedance headphone. It also comes with a remote control and an external power supply.

Dragon Inspire IHA-1

The Dragon Inspire IHA-1 is a serious audio heritage it was created by (and is manufactured under the watchful eyes of) Dennis Had, founder of Cary Audio. In spite of its sexy red paint job, it has a timeless look to it that evokes classic tube gear.

The IHA-1 utilizes a pair dual triodes that are 6SN7 to drive headphones and has transformer coupling on both the inputs and outputs, making it compatible with nearly every headphone. It's also quite compact and has a clean signal path that doesn't have a feedback loop.

In our experience, the IHA-1 produces a full and acoustic sound that is sure to please listeners who like a full listening experience with lush music. It's an excellent choice for classical, alternative/indie and the acoustic genres. It's an excellent amp for tracks in pop country, R&B, and rock. However, it can be a bit on the warmer side for genres with high energy such as EDM and Metal. Tube rolling can help you make up for the warmth.

The IHA-1 is not an exception to this rule. In general, headphones with greater sensitivity are more likely to work with tube amplifiers. We tested the IHA-1 with various headphones, 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 and 3D space perception that was truly amazing.

The standard IHA-1 comes with two Russian 6SN7 tubes. It is possible to upgrade it by $100 to a new RCA GZ34. The GZ34 is warmer than the re-issue 5Y3GT and has a more organic sound with ample bass. It also has a sweet tone that is recessed enough to make listening enjoyable and stress-free.

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

Cayin HA-6A

This tube headphone amplifier that is affordable from Cayin is a portable amp with a surprising amount of power. It can drive headphones that are planar like the HiFiMan SUSVARA easily and is also great with headphones that are dynamic, such as the Audio-Technica ATH A1000X. It's also extremely adaptable and is a good option for those who have diverse preferences for listening.

The HA-6A is a transformer-coupled design with matched output transformers that offer real balanced output. The power supply is also fully regulated, which reduces the ripple effect of voltage amplification. The circuitry is made by hand using premium wires and point-to-point wielding, resulting in superior transparency and integrity of the signal. This amp features a high-grade, UV meter to display signal levels.

The HA-6A has an ultralinear/triode switchable mode that lets you customize the sound to suit your preferences. If you're looking for a warm, rich sound, you can use the EL34 tubes which have moderate output impedance when in triode mode. On the other hand, headphone planar if want an exceptionally clear and precise sound with plenty of power you should use a pair KT88 tubes in ultra-linear mode with low output impedance.

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

The amp also has a custom-designed transformer with premium nickel plating. This makes the amplifier durable and robust. It also has an innovative current adjustment feature that can match the impedances of various headphones.

The Cayin Ha-6A is different from the Schiit Vali 2+ has some tube bloom. Its sound stage is also not as large or detailed. It also has a faster decay time than Vali 2+ and a more neutral tone overall. 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.