2. amps-preamps
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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
soix
8,840 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. 
mikelavigne
2,158 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.
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?
erik_squires
15,879 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.
soix
8,840 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. 

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