High end tube amps for planars

I am wondering what tube amps do you guys think pair well with planars like the Code-x? I've been using my Cavalli Liquid Glass for quite some time and love it but I'm wondering if there are other amps out there which drive planars well. I tried the ALO Studio 6, which even was a good amp but not for that price and I liked my LG better. I also know that some users have been using the Studio to drive planars, but from every impression/review I've read, it seems to have a more leaner sound than I might like. I did not like the ZDS for the Code-X.

What other options are there when it comes to higher end good tube amps for planars?

 

I have yet to see someone who uses a planar, and who doesn't end up getting a good SS amp. Tubes just seem to be unable to keep up with the current planars need, and end up delivering distorted bass.

Your first watt amp is probably one of the best solution to have the lushness of tubes, and the current supply of SS, as it was specifically designed to recreate "tube sound" (I don't subscribe to the idea that tubes are necessarily lush but that’s a common idea nonetheless).

 

Hybrid designs do well with many harder to drive planars. My vote is for the Mjolnir 2.

 

Maybe also check out the Trafomatic Head II push pull tube amp. It is more powerful then the paper specs suggest, and there are many reports of good synergy with planars. A member on my favorite german forum uses it with the Susvara and gets plenty loud by 1 o' clock, whereas his Pass HPA1 has not enough power.

 

@brencho was over the moon with Code-X and Aficionodo.

 

Had the chance to have this as a loaner for a week: http://www.needledoctor.com/EAR-834-Integrated-Amp

Great tube amp. Had a chance to get it at a good price too but passed on it.

 

Why even do this? You're never going to take advantage of the superior qualities of tubes with playnars. Its an absolutely ludicrous proposition from the get go with the host of inefficient planars and the sheer cost of a tube amp that is both good and powerful enough. I've run my HE5 into my custom amp and its better compared to my other stuff, but not the earth-shattering difference I get with real headphones.

 

Yeah just worried about plugging the J2 into a power amp - Never sure about the preamps etc sending spikes into the amp - blew up my HE-6

Do you think instead of getting the Studio, the AF is better for planars as is?

Haven't heard the Pioneer but the rest of them are not upgrades to the Liquid Glass - which is what I'm trying to assess.

I've heard some very good things about the Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP, has anyone tried planars with it?

http://www.primaluna-usa.com/dialogue-premium-hp-integrated/

Do you have to do the speaker tap to XLR adapter on it? How did you like it to drive the HE-6 vs the Krell or AHB2?

What real headphones? I own the Utopias and the highly regarded HD650 and prefer the Code-X to both, and I've never really liked the HD800. Not sure what other real headphones are better than planars.

 

Get a TVC or an AVC preamp and you're done.

 

I've had surprisingly good results from HE560 on a custom OTL SET amp built around 6EM7 tubes. For LCD2 and 3 I prefer a nice Class A solid state amp with good pace, detail and clarity ... I enjoy the pairing of LCD2.2 PF with the original Phonitor. EL8 pairs with whatever you have.

 

I really enjoy the Stratus with my planars. With the right tubes it drives even the Abyss well, almost on par with the Moon 600i. I think it pushes out 1.8W in 50ohm.

 

Really hard to pick out differences between these 3 amps with HE-6. Yeah, you'll need some speaker adapter for it to work.

 

Studio isn't lean IMO. It is pretty neutral and true to source. A lot of people just don't like that. If you want PHAT bass don't go down this road..
I'm pretty sure mine has the Craig tuning as well.

I used EC Studio with Abyss, hd650, hd800 and have code-x coming next week.
I really enjoy Abyss with studio, it's a great combination. Better than raggy IMO.
HD800 and hd650 also have great synergy, hd800 particularly has insane detail from studio.
Although, I have to agree with most here, diminishing returns really make SS a more intelligent choice for playnars, however, studio is only temporarily doing headphone duty in my system

 

I agree I don't find the Studio Lean ,I am using Kr2a3s I have yet to change driver tubes,similar sound as the Emm labs gear.

 

Don't know about the latest planars, but even for best dynamic cans Studio is m a s s i v e overkill.
If I would need to point a flaw in Studio (or minor deviation from perfection rather) it would be that it has some raw/ruthless character to how it presents parts of midrange and high bass. Kind of makes some sounds less natural than simpler SET like Stratus or the likes.
Best planar amp I have tried that makes sense to use with planars is EHHA, it gave them some attributes that won't make me fall asleep.

 

I see you also have the WA5 - How do you like that for planars compared to the Stratus and how upgraded is your WA5?

The Abyss can definitely get loud enough, but I feel they shine with high power/current amps, similar to the HE-6.

Would be curious to hear your impressions of the Studio+Code-X!

I'm also curious about the Liquid tungsten which seems to have favourable reviews here as well although the price of $6K seems absurd.

For people recommending SS amps, I've not yet heard a decent SS amp which bests my Liquid Glass - The Taurus is very nice but it's not better. The GSX MKII is pretty bright and aggressive and the Moon 430HA seems to be a tad too smooth. The Rag also feels like it glosses over some detail. I've not yet heard the BW. Outside of these, I'm not sure if I'm missing some good SS amps. Tubes have a sense of realism that SS amps seem to miss out on for me, and I feel the tonality on planars seems more accurate with a tube amp as well.