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True Headphone AMP?

It never really occurred to me but all the Headphone Amps I've seen are really headphone integrated amps, meaning with volume and sometimes source selection.

Has or does anyone make a true headphone amp that you simply attach to your preamps outputs?

Any reason this couldn't be done?

Given that I am heavily invested in my Pre and love it, seems kind of silly to use a headphone amp off the tape output that wouldn't use my pre amp for all the things it does right.
nikturner920

Showing 2 responses by marakanetz

marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
I learned that headphone amp or headphone jack off your preamp or any component needs to be synergised with headphones.
I had used Consonance M20 tube headphone amp and it wasn't better than headphone jack off my Alesis ML9600 CD-player for AKG K701. It certainly was louder but presentation, imaging and bass responce was better in CD-player.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
If I were you I would still connect the headphone amp onto the tape(record) outs if you have such. I would not want my headphone amp depend on the preamp volume settings. If you don't want the signal go to the main speakers just use MUTE (once again if you have it). It will not mute the record out.
In DIY area to build a descent headphone amp is a matter of within $100 that would match your headphones AND your preamp perfectly.
In consumer market area not all of them may please you for the budget. The ultimate champ in budget-no-option is Grace M903 which is also an excellent preamp and 24/192kHz USB DAC. I've also heard lots of goodies about Violectric.
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