How do I connect up a headphone amp in my system?

[Jason948]

 

 

I want to buy a pair of corded open ear headphones which require a headphone jack, but none of my hi fi devices offers a jack socket. . I’d like to use the headphones for listening to records on my turntable as well as digital music from my Eversolo dmp-a6. What’s confusing me is what plugs into what? I know I think I need an analog headphone amp.  Open to suggestions on an appropriate headphone amp and where to connect it in the device chain. I’d like to use an input selector between the turntable and Eversolo streamer so hoping that is possible. I’d prefer that over switching cables for each listening session. 
 

Eversolo dmp-a6 (streamer only) - denefrips dac 12th-1 - Electrocompaniet EC3 integrated amp - passive speakers. 
 

Rega turntable - Rega Aria phono - Electrocompaniet EC3 integrated amp - passive speakers. 
 

any help from the folks here is greatly appreciated appreciated.

 

[BugPowderDust]

I think you’re after a headphone amp that can take a balanced input (xlr) and run that off the balanced output on your integrated amplifier.

 

try something like the topping a30 https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/products/topping-a30pro-balanced-headphone-amplifier

 

 

[Jason948]

Thanks for your advice ! 
 

does connecting to the amp degrade sound more than connecting the headphone amp direct to the source device? 

 

 

Edited April 17, 2024 by Jason948

[BugPowderDust]

I wouldn't worry in your use case.

 

If you connect a headphone amp by using the XLR preamp out on your integrated amp, it will send whatever source you have selected on the input selector to the headphones. 

[Jason948]

Hey bug,

 

are there any other headphone amps you would suggest?  I only require a headphone amp and not a dac/headphone amp right?

[Pegasus]

On 19/04/2024 at 5:57 PM, Jason948 said:

Hey bug,

 

are there any other headphone amps you would suggest?  I only require a headphone amp and not a dac/headphone amp right?

Yes, all you need is a headphone amp. What amp depends on how hard the headphones you buy are to drive, i.e. what is the impedance of the headphones.

As a rule of thumb, The higher the impedance, the better the quality (and price) of the headphone amp you need will be.

That said, you can get some nifty Chinese headphone amps from $100 or less.

It all depends on your budget.

I am guessing entry level from your previous comments.

To give you some ideas, I suggest you have a look at some websites, such as the Douk Audio website https://doukaudio.com/collections/amplifier or Minidisc, https://www.minidisc.com.au/

or Addicted To Audio,  https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/collections/headphones.

That should at laest give you some ideas at what to look for.

[Jason948]

Thanks Andrew

[Ars Paart]

Pick out your headphones first, then buy a headphone amp that will adequately drive them and will connect where you need it to. 

[BugPowderDust]

On 19/4/2024 at 5:57 PM, Jason948 said:

Hey bug,

 

are there any other headphone amps you would suggest?  I only require a headphone amp and not a dac/headphone amp right?

Yes, just a headphone amp but most will come with DACs onboard anyway. As others have said, depending on your headphone selection, choice of the right amplifier is important.  In your topology you want a headphone amp with XLR input and that's not common on every headphone amplfier out there.

[Jason948]

I already have a pair of Meze 109 Pro headphones. So easy to power. Apparently. 

 

 

Edited April 22, 2024 by Jason948

[Jason948]

Thanks to everyone who replied to my post. I’ve just ordered a headphone amp and think I’ll be happy with it. Should match the treble of the meze with ease.