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Originally Posted by minimus
 The basic purposes of a preamp are volume control and source switching (multiple sources are connected to the preamp through multiple RCA or XLR inputs.) In addition, some but not all preamps provide some initial amplification of a source's signal. (If it amplifies the source's signal, it is referred to as an active preamp. If it does not, it is a passive preamp. Most preamps are active.) Initial amplification is required if the source is a turntable, in which case the preamp is said to have a phono stage. If the preamp does not have a phono stage, it is referred to as a linestage.
As far as finding a tube headphone amp that meets your requirements, your best bet is to contact the manufacturer (i.e. Ray Samuels) and ask them. It sounds to me like you need a balanced preamp, i.e. one that has XLR inputs and outputs. The majority of tube headphone amps, even those that can serve as preamps, have RCA inputs and outputs, not XLR. |
