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Headphone amp connection

Hello all,

So I am thinking about adding a headphone amp to my set up.  Nothing too fancy, something like a Schiit Audio Asgard to power some HiFiMan HE400S headphones.  My question is what is the best way to wire up the headphone amp?  The was I see it I have two choices with my equipment.  I could wire the fixed output from my Rogue preamp to the headphone amp or wire it directly from my Jolida JD100 cdp.  The Jolida has two sets of rca outputs and the Rogue has a set of variable outputs plus a set of fixed outputs.  I'm thinking the fixed outputs from the Rogue might be to hot for the headphone amp to handle.  But hooked up this way allows me to use any source and give me remote volume control.  What do you guys think is the best way to go?
tommy583
8 responses Add your response
mikelavigne
2,199 posts
 
back 10 years ago when i had my Playback Designs digital, and my darTZeel preamp, i had a BHSE headphone amp and Stax 009 headphones. you would think that the Playback Designs would sound better direct to the BHSE, but it did not work that way. the sound was more microdynamic and refined through the darts fixed output than direct.

go figure.

never underestimate the drive and grip of a top level preamp.

OTOH there are less performing preamps that might not work that same way. you have to try it both ways to see what you get. lots of variables that figure into what sounds best. or maybe you won't be able to hear any difference.
soix
9,456 posts
 
Looks like I will have to go old school and get up to change the volume.  
Did you consider the SMSL SH-9 headphone amp I mentioned above that has its own remote?

What is the advantage of using the fixed outputs on the preamp instead of the extra outputs on the CDP besides being able to listen to other sources?
None.  The CDP outputs should be better since it’s a much shorter signal path. 

erik_squires
16,056 posts
 
There's no technically better answer, but you should try both and you'll definitely be able to hear the character of the Rogue.
tommy583 OP
73 posts
 
Mike,

Yes that does make sense.  It is a perfect world because my preamp does have a fixed output.  Unfortunately the head phone amp will be located on the same rack as the rest of my equipment.  Looks like I will have to go old school and get up to change the volume.  I'd rather not change the rca connections back and forth on the preamp just to have remote volume control.  My CDP also has two sets of outputs.  What is the advantage of using the fixed outputs on the preamp instead of the extra outputs on the  CDP besides being able to listen to other sources?
mikelavigne
2,199 posts
 
most headphone amps have their own volume attenuation. but few have remotes. so whether you want to use a remote or not, which might depend on how close you sit to the headphone amp, will determine whether you use a variable output from your preamp, or a fixed output. if you use a variable output, this means likely you need to disconnect your preamp to amp interconnects to use the headphones.

make sense?

and your speaker amplifier will be out of the loop when using a headphone amplifier.

in a perfect world your Rogue preamp has a fixed output which you can use into the headphone amp, which has it’s own volume control. that will eliminate any plugging and unplugging interconnects.
soix
9,456 posts
 
The SMSL SH-9 has a remote volume so you could make use of the Rogue’s fixed line out and still have the convenience of a remote.  And it’s not much more expensive than the Asgard.  Best of luck. 
tommy583 OP
73 posts
 
Well after reading what I wrote let me make a correction.  Going from preamp fixed output would not give me remote preamp volume control.  It would give me source selection though.  I guess I could use the variable preamp out and then have remote volume control.  But I would need to use the output from the headphone amp to go to the power amp.  That doesn't seem like the best path.
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,598 posts
 
Direct from the pre unless there is a problem. Thinking will not determine that
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