Five Planar Headphone Projects For Any Budget
Amp For Planar Headphones You want an amp that can drive planar headphones with plenty of power. In contrast to dynamic headphones, which require very little current, planars are much more power hungry and demand more voltage. Look for an amplifier that is compatible with a recommended headphone impedance range. Most will have this information on their spec sheet or website. AP10H+ The NVA AP10H+ headphone amplifier was built by hand in Great Britain. It is a powerful amplifier that can be used to drive virtually any planar headphone (and some dynamic headphones) available regardless of their impedance and sensitivity. Its high voltage output and current can also give you an outstanding dynamic headroom, which produces an impressive sound. Planar magnetic headphones, unlike speakers, are almost entirely resistive loads. They are, therefore, relatively easy to drive. However, they require much higher levels of drive than most receivers can achieve. To reach their rated 130dB SPL, they require 4V5-10V5 with 1mW of input. Class A solid state amplifiers are the ideal option for them. The AP10H+ features an output transformer that raises the voltage to a greater degree, and includes a volume matching resistor that is suitable for 95percent of headphones. The AP10H+ can provide twice the power of a pair 32 ohm dynamic headphones. Nirvana IV The Nirvana IV tube amp has an enveloping sound. This powerful amplifier is capable of driving magnetic headphones that are planar with ease and offers a variety of output options to accommodate the majority of headphone impedances. It also has a high-quality external power supply unit that delivers constant current to the amplifier. The amplifier was made in Serbia by Milomir Trosic, and it utilizes hand-crafted transformators that offer extraordinary musicality. visit the following website page has a single-ended design that can deliver 6.5W of pure class A power. It is capable of driving high-impedance headphones and is capable of handling the HiFiMan SUSVARA planar open-back magnetic headphone effortlessly. The bass response and dynamic depth are excellent. The Nirvana IV has a rich midrange, smooth highs, and a dazzling amount of detail. This amp can be compared to the Auris Ha-2SE as well as the Headonia amplifier however, it's superior overall due to its greater clarity and precision with a more balanced sound. When used with the right headphones, it will reveal hidden layers of music and is a joy to listen to. Its balanced mode is particularly impressive, as it adds a layer of warmth and tube smoothness to the sound that's hard to discover in other headphone amplifiers. Vacuum tube amplifiers are a favorite among headphone enthusiasts because they provide a warm, cosy sound that people appreciate. However, they are difficult to make use of and require a significant investment. They also generate lots of heat, so you should pick one with a sturdy cooling system. The Nirvana IV is a good option for discerning audiophiles, because it can be customized with a variety of different tubes. The Cayin Ha-6A is a great choice for anyone looking to enjoy the power and elegance of a tube amplifier at affordable cost. The amplifier is compatible with a variety of headphone models, and is compatible with most well-known digital audio formats. Its output switch allows you to choose between three gain settings that are suitable for medium, low and high-impedance headphones. It includes a remote as well as an external power source. Dragon Inspire IHA-1 The Dragon Inspire IHA-1 is a serious hi-fi pedigree It was designed by (and is manufactured under the watchful eyes of) Dennis Had, founder of Cary Audio. It has a timeless appearance that evokes classic tube equipment, despite its bizarre red paint job. The IHA-1 makes use of a pair of dual triodes that are 6SN7 to drive headphones and has transformer coupling at both inputs and outputs which makes it compatible with virtually any headphone. It is also small and has an uncluttered signal path that does not have a feedback loop. In our experience, the IHA-1 produces a rich and balanced sound that is sure to please those who want an immersive listening experience that is accompanied by lush music. It's an excellent choice for classical, indie/alternative and Acoustic music. It's also a great choice for pop, country, rock, and R&B tracks. It may be a bit warm for genres that have lots of energy, like EDM or Metal. Tube rolling can help you make up for the warmth. The IHA-1 isn't an exception to this rule. In general, headphones with higher sensitiveness tend to be compatible with tube amplifiers. We tested the IHA-1 with a variety of headphone models including the Focal, HiFiMan HE-560 and Grado RS-1. Speakers Alpha Prime. The IHA-1 offered a full and rounded sound with astonishingly precise lateral imaging as well as a three-dimensional sense of space that was truly revelatory. 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 is more warm than the 5Y3GT reissue and has a more organic sound and has a lot of bass. It also has a sweet response to treble that is sufficiently recessed for the majority of listening experiences to be awe-inspiring and fatigue-free. The IHA-1's amazing 3-D soundstage is particularly evident when coupled with the Focal Utopia headphones. The more spacious sound enabled the Focal's already precise lateral imaging to expand outward and forward, creating a vast soundscape. Listening to the track 'Nublado' from Sera Una Noche [MA Recordings, 16/44.1], for instance, was akin to wandering around a huge hall that just happened to contain your headphones. Cayin HA-6A This tube headphone amp by Cayin is marketed as a “Tube Rolling Paradise.” It's an affordable portable amplifier that's quite powerful. It can drive headphones that are planar like the HiFiMan SUSVARA with ease and also sounds great when paired with dynamic headphones like the Audio-Technica ATH A1000X. It is also highly adaptable, making it a great option for music lovers with different preferences in listening. The HA-6A has a transformer-coupled construction with matched outputs transformers to ensure a balanced output. The power supply has also been completely controlled to limit the ripple effect caused by voltage amplification. The circuitry is hand-crafted with point-to-point wielding and high-quality wires, resulting in superior quality and integrity of the signal as well as transparency. This amp also features a high-grade UV meter that displays signal levels. The HA-6A has an ultralinear/triode switchable mode that allows you to alter the sound to suit your preferences. If you're looking for a warm, rich sound, use the EL34 tubes that have a medium output impedance in triode mode. If you want a fast and precise sound with plenty of power, then use KT88 tubes set to ultra-linear and low output impedance. The HA-6A is a tube with an option of rectification option for those who prefer a neutral sound. This improves the overall sonic performance of the amplifier. This feature is perfect for people who listen to a range of genres, from hip-hop and EDM to classical and orchestral music. The amp is also constructed with a large, custom-made output transformer that offers high-grade nickel plating. This makes the amplifier tough and robust. It also has an innovative current adjustment which will allow you to match the impedances of various headphones. In contrast to the Schiit Vali 2+, the Cayin HA-6A has a bit of a tube bloom and sound stage that isn't as wide or as detailed. It has a faster decay time and more neutral sound than the Vali 2. It has a forward midrange, with more detail and more bass, in comparison to the Vali 2+. However, it does not have as much treble.