Where to connect external headphone amp?

[brian.davidson.5817]

I’ve got a Linn Majik DSM/2, which I use as a streamer & pre-amp only for my system (power amp section is deactivated). I’d like to use a better quality headphone amp, but not sure where this might connect on the rear of the DSM/2? Line out? Will using an external head amp, connected to the right place, automatically mute the speakers (like the existing head amp connection in the DSM does when in use)? Thank you!

 

[karlsushi]

Yes, line out. That will be a fixed line level output so you can use the volume control on a headamp and would be ideal for this purpose.

Preout is a variable output i.e passes through the Linn's own volume control.

It is likely they don't both take a signal at the same time though, so you will probably have to remove one or the other when not in use. Unless there is a switch control you can access from the unit/remote to toggle between the 2 outputs?

 

[brian.davidson.5817]

Yes, line out. That will be a fixed line level output so you can use the volume control on a headamp and would be ideal for this purpose.

Preout is a variable output i.e passes through the Linn's own volume control.

It is likely they don't both take a signal at the same time though, so you will probably have to remove one or the other when not in use. Unless there is a switch control you can access from the unit/remote to toggle between the 2 outputs?

Many thanks. Might be a bit of a faff though, as the pre-out (I think) is where I connect the first of two klout power amps. I wonder if a headphone/DAC might be a way around this? I could use a toslink cable? Although then again this could compromise listening to the streamer via phones as I might have to select the toslink for the phones (and not the Qobuz source). Hmmm.

 

[Lurch]

Outputs 6 & 8 should output simultaneously during normal operation unless there is a specific setting on the unit/within the App for digital output. If not the an HA with dac would be the sensible choice.

 

[JANDL100]

I'd bet that both pre out and line out are both "live" so you won't have any fiddling around to do. That should sort the problem.

 

[rabski]

I agree with John and Jerry. The 'line out' would normally be used for tape and similar. It comes after the source select, but before the volume control and the 'pre out' comes after the volume control and anything else in the box. There would be no real reason for it to be 'one or the other' and I've not come across any amp that does so.

Of course, there's a simple way to find out! Just remember that if you test it, the line out will be unattenuated, so don't connect it direct to a power amplifier.