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Amp For how do planar magnetic headphones work Headphones

When it comes to amps for headphones designed for planar, you'll need something with plenty of power to drive them. In contrast 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 headphone impedance range. It will be noted on the specifications sheet or on their website.

AP10H+

The NVA AP10H+ headphone amplifier was built by hand in Great Britain. It is an amplifier with a lot of power that can power almost any headphone planar (and some dynamic headphones) on the market regardless of their impedance or sensitivity. Its high voltage and current output can offer a high-quality dynamic headroom for an impressive sound.

In contrast to speakers, planar magnetic planar headphones are essentially resistive loads, making them relatively easy to drive. They require a greater amount of drive than what can be achieved by the majority of receivers. To achieve their rated 130dB SPL, they must have 4V5 to 10V5 at 1mW of input. This is why class A solid state amps are the best choice for them.

The AP10H+ has an output transformer that raises the power to a greater degree, and has a volume matching resistor that can be used with the majority of headphones. The AP10H+ can deliver twice as much power to the 32 ohm dynamic headphones.

Nirvana IV

If you are looking for tubes with a warm sound, then the Nirvana IV is the one for you. This powerful amplifier is capable of driving magnetic headphones that are planar with ease and has a wide range of output options to accommodate the majority of headphones with different impedances. It is equipped with an external power supply unit of top quality that supplies constant currents to the amplifier. The amplifier was made in Serbia by Milomir Trosic, and it utilizes hand-crafted transformators that offer exceptional musicality.

The Nirvana IV has a single-ended design that delivers 6.5W of pure class A power. It is capable of driving high-impedance headphones and is able to handle the HiFiMan SUSVARA open-back planar magnetic headphone easily. Its bass performance is excellent and provides incredible dynamic depth. The Nirvana IV also provides a rich midrange with smooth highs and an impressive 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 uncover hidden layers of music when used with the right headphone. It is also very enjoyable to listen to. Its balanced mode is especially impressive, bringing a layer of warmth and tube smoothness that is difficult for other headphone amplifiers to achieve.

Vacuum tube amplifiers are very popular with headphone lovers because they offer a warm sound that a lot of people love. However, they are difficult to make use of and require a significant investment. They also generate plenty of heat, so it is important to pick one with a sturdy 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 with a small price tag. This amp is designed to work with a variety of headphone models and is compatible with most popular digital audio formats. Its output switch allows users to choose between three gain settings that are suitable for low, medium and high-impedance headphones. It also comes with the ability to control the remote and an external power supply.

Dragon Inspire IHA-1

The Dragon Inspire IHA-1 is an impressive hi-fi device. It was designed (and manufactured) by Dennis Had, founder Cary Audio. Its design is timeless that is reminiscent of classic tube equipment, despite the crazy red paint job.

The IHA-1 is compatible with any headphone because it uses the 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 any feedback loop.

The IHA-1 has a rich and acoustic sound that we have found to be a hit with listeners who enjoy a lush listening experience. It's a great choice for classical, alternative/indie, and Acoustic tracks. It's a great amp for tracks in pop, country, R&B, and rock. However, it's slightly warmer side for high-energy genres like EDM and Metal. Tube rolling can help make up for the warmth.

As a general rule higher-sensitivity headphones usually mate well with tube amplifiers, and the IHA-1 is no exception. We tested it with a wide range of headphone models including the Focal Clear HiFiMan HE-560, Grado RS-1, and headphone Planar Mr. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 produced a full and rounded sound, with a perspective that was astonishingly precise. It also gave a sense of three-dimensional space.

The standard IHA-1 includes a pair 6SN7 Russian tubes. It can be upgraded for an additional $100 to a NOS RCA GZ34. The GZ34 has a more warm sound 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 recessed enough for most listening experiences to be glorious and unflagging.

The IHA-1's impressive 3-D soundstage was evident when paired with the Focal Utopia headphones. The Focal's already precise soundstage could expand outwards and forwards, revealing an expansive sonic landscape. Listening to "Nublado" from Sera Una Noche (MA Recordings 16/44.1) was like a walk through a vast space with headphones.

Cayin HA-6A

This affordable tube headphone amplifier from Cayin is a portable amplifier with surprising power. It can drive planar headphones like the HiFiMan SUSVARA and sound great when used with dynamic headphones such as Audio-Technica ATH-A1000X. It's also extremely scalable, making it a good option for those with a variety of listening preferences.

The HA-6A has a transformer-coupled construction with output transformers that are matched to ensure a balanced output. The power supply is also fully controlled, which minimizes the ripple impact of voltage amplification. The circuitry is hand-crafted with point-to-point wielding and premium wires, which results in better quality and integrity of the signal as well as transparency. This amp features a high-grade, UV meter to display the levels of signal.

The HA-6A comes with a switchable triode/ultralinear mode to offer a distinct sound experience depending on your needs. If you want an authentic, warm sound, you can use the EL34 tubes with moderate output impedance when in triode mode. If you want a fast and detailed sound with plenty of power and power, then choose KT88 tubes set to ultra-linear, with a low output impedance.

The HA-6A is a tube with an option of rectification for those who prefer a neutral sound. This improves the overall sonic quality of the amplifier. This feature is ideal for users who listen to a variety of genres, from hip-hop and EDM to classical and orchestral music.

The amp is also constructed with a huge, custom-designed output transformer that offers high-grade nickel plating. This ensures the amplifier is robust and durable. It also features an innovative current adjustment that matches the impedance of different headphones.

Unlike the Schiit Vali 2+, the Cayin Ha-6A has a bit of a tube-like bloom and sound stage that's not quite as wide or as detailed. It also has a much quicker decay time than the Vali 2+ and it has a more neutral tone overall. It also has a forward-looking midrange, with more detail and more bass, in comparison to the Vali 2+. However it doesn't have the same amount of treble.