Q: Headphone amp as preamp? - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

warpdriver · 03-18-2008, 04:07 AM

I remember reading that Tyll said that a headphone amp can be safely used as a high quality preamp. I want to do exactly that, feeding some high quality active ($1300) monitors I just bought.

I have the original Micro Stack (DAC and Micro Amp), but it doesn't have a pre-out. Which gain setting should I use (high/low/med), and how do I know I'm not damaging anything by turning up the volume knob?

Tyll Hertsens · 03-18-2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warpdriver

I remember reading that Tyll said that a headphone amp can be safely used as a high quality preamp. I want to do exactly that, feeding some high quality active ($1300) monitors I just bought.

I have the original Micro Stack (DAC and Micro Amp), but it doesn't have a pre-out. Which gain setting should I use (high/low/med), and how do I know I'm not damaging anything by turning up the volume knob?

Probably the "med" setting. You won't be damaging anything if you don't hear any clipping. Do the active monitors have volume controls? (Whatcha get! $1300! Must be something pretty cool.)

IceClass · 03-18-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyll Hertsens

Probably the "med" setting. You won't be damaging anything if you don't hear any clipping.

So, for the uninitiated, what does clipping sound like?

Tyll Hertsens · 03-18-2008, 03:47 PM

Pretty much like a needle skipping across a record momentarily. Loud crunchy noise at peaks in volume.

xFih2 · 03-18-2008, 07:39 PM

Sorry, I'm still new at everything, but when using using the micro stack as a preamp (ultra in my case, but same deal), does the sound quality increase with the speakers, or does it only serve to up the volume?

warpdriver · 03-18-2008, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyll Hertsens

Probably the "med" setting. You won't be damaging anything if you don't hear any clipping. Do the active monitors have volume controls? (Whatcha get! $1300! Must be something pretty cool.)

thanks Tyll. My new active monitors are the Dynaudio MC 15 (consumer version of the pro BM5A-Compact) and they don't have a volume setting. I didn't realize that volume control in Windows doesn't affect the Micro DAC so I realized I need to use the Micro Amp as a volume control. The MSRP is $1299 which is indeed spendy, but hey, when have Dynaudio speakers ever come cheap?

Just wondering, is there any advantage to using the Preamp out on the newer Micro Amps compared to going out through the headphone jack?

Pics of course!

Unfortunately, I have some bad news. Because I bought these speakers and it comes with nice little stands, I won't be need those Headroom stands that I mentioned I would be ordering once they were released

noseallinit · 03-19-2008, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warpdriver

I didn't realize that volume control in Windows doesn't affect the Micro DAC so I realized I need to use the Micro Amp as a volume control.

your main volume control should not work but the volume control on whatever software you are using to play your music files with should.

solvexyz · 03-19-2008, 08:32 AM

Wow, you got the same setup as me.

Below is a picture of my similar setup

I am using a 2006 Micro DAC and a Hornet as a preamp.

Jolida302 · 03-19-2008, 10:01 AM

I use the micro amp as preamp to feed Audio engine A5 and it works. It's better.

warpdriver · 03-19-2008, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solvexyz

Wow, you got the same setup as me.
Below is a picture of my similar setup
I am using a 2006 Micro DAC and a Hornet as a preamp.

haha. Nice!

I did cheat thought, the Dinovo Edge is not my normal keyboard I use with my desktop, I use the Edge with my HT normally, but it photographs better here