Headphone Amp connections

[hifiwigwam]

So what are the pro's and cons opf wiring my Rega Ear in between the CDP and the AMP (Fig 1.). Rather than using the tape link output of my Amp to the Rega Ear/

Would there be siginificant benefits either way. I will try it if peeps think it's worth it.

I think that using the tape outs would be better, not for phone listening, but for main listeniong, as it's another 2 connections and whatever gubbins it goes through in the head amp, if main listeing is don through cans then I'd use set uo as diagram

[hifiwigwam]

hhmm it really is 60 / 40 in favour of the speakers. Does anyone know how short the path is in the Ear, between link in and out?

[Hawk]

From my own experience i can say without doubt that a direct connection to the CDP will give the best result for headphone listening. Cutting the pre amp out in my case did make a difference, it was very small but still detectable. That said i have the advantage of two outputs on my CDP so i dont have to run the headphone amp between the source and pre. For the same reason i think that having the headphone amp between source and pre will affect the sound when listening through the speakers. It might be small, but im convinced there will be a difference

Hawk

james it won't be that lon a path, but buy the time you use 2 I/c and their associatted connectors...

[Biscuit]

try a sugden headmaster

I personally wouldn't like the idea of putting something between source and amp, but try it out, it may make no noticable difference at all!

[hifiwigwam]

analoguekid wrote:

james it won't be that lon a path, but buy the time you use 2 I/c and their associatted connectors...

Gotta try it really haven't I?

I'll see how sensitive the signal path between source and amp is on my rig. If it makes no odds I can sell that Chord I/C! Bloody snake oil... (Stand back... wait for Effem, CJR etc.)

[mosfet]

Pro: You’ll have a shorter signal path and, significantly, one less potentiometer in the signal path if you place the headphone amp between CD and amp.

Con: You’ll have a slightly longer signal path when listening to CD through your ‘speakers (and possibly an additional switch?).

On balance I’d guess the pro outweighs the con J. But listen and see.

[hifiwigwam]

Biscuit wrote:

try a sugden headmaster

I personally wouldn't like the idea of putting something between source and amp, but try it out, it may make no noticable difference at all!

wots one of them then?

Mossy writ

Pro: You’ll have a shorter signal path and, significantly, one less potentiometer in the signal path if you place the headphone amp between CD and amp. Con: You’ll have a slightly longer signal path when listening to CD through your ‘speakers (and possibly an additional switch?). On balance I’d guess the pro outweighs the con J. But listen and see.

So are you saying you think the benefit to the Cans will outweigh any noticable difference with the speakers? Because that was my suspicion as the cans IMO tend to be more revealing.

I'll try it Saturday when 10k (wigwam member) comes round.

[Biscuit]

headmaster = preamp and headphone amp in one box. Its part of that little bijou series of sugden bits and bobs. Its supposedly pretty good at both tasks.

[hifiwigwam]

Biscuit wrote:

headmaster = preamp and headphone amp in one box. Its part of that little bijou series of sugden bits and bobs. Its supposedly pretty good at both tasks.

phhwoar.

[Biscuit]

Due to that phwooar, I've just realised just how dodgy the name 'head master' really is. Damn my flithy mind, I'll never be able to take it seriously again! :raoflmfao::flasher:

another to consideris the McCormack micro integrated drive, it's basically a headphone (2 jacks) pre amp/integrated, has a 2 line instage and an outputstage(adjustable), All RCA, it also has a 5w/ch output into a pair of chuncky binding posts, runs on 24v, fantastic piece of kit, whish I hadn't sold it, would make a great basis for a bedroom system and pair of slim floorstanders.

[Geordie]

Biscuit wrote:

try a sugden headmaster

I personally wouldn't like the idea of putting something between source and amp, but try it out, it may make no noticable difference at all!

Totally overrated.

I'd go for the Meier PreHead.

[mosfet]

So are you saying you think the benefit to the Cans will outweigh any noticable difference with the speakers? Because that was my suspicion as the cans IMO tend to be more revealing.

On reflection, your tape loop should only run through a monitor switch and not through your main amp volume control. The set-up as you have it, headphone amp via tape loop, is probably the best set-up for both headphone and ‘speaker listening. Try a direct connection from your CD player to headphone amp (removing the main amp entirely) and see if any different.

[hifiwigwam]

mosfet wrote:

So are you saying you think the benefit to the Cans will outweigh any noticable difference with the speakers? Because that was my suspicion as the cans IMO tend to be more revealing.

On reflection, your tape loop should only run through a monitor switch and not through your main amp volume control. The set-up as you have it, headphone amp via tape loop, is probably the best set-up for both headphone and ‘speaker listening. Try a direct connection from your CD player to headphone amp (removing the main amp entirely) and see if any different.

I hear what you're saying mate. I'll try a few contibulations and report back with some kind of result.

[MartinC]

You've reminded me I ought to try switching how I've got my headphone amp connected. I run it off a tape out at the moment but that was partly so I could listen to sources other than my DAC (radio and video), but now all goes via my DAC so I ought to try the second set of outputs on the DAC instead. I say try as I doubt the two pairs of outputs are isolated so I'm a little concerned doing so may affect the sound via my speakers.