Phone or line out... why? | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

Schummy · Feb 18, 2002 at 2:02 AM

A beginner question eletronic wise:

I assume voltages differences between line out and phone out are not very big. I usually can drive my hp or external speakers from one or the other, then... why they put those two "outs"?

Appart from voltage, what is the difference between phone and line out? Is it there to drive different impedances?

meithkiller · Feb 18, 2002 at 3:14 AM

One obvious difference is that most line outs bypass the volume controls and all tone circuitry for a cleaner signal. Some line-outs (Sony) also offer an optical or analog signal.

-Keith

beni · Feb 18, 2002 at 8:15 AM

Exactly...an analog line-out is a direct output from the dac, whereas the headphone output is an amplified signal.

fredpb · Feb 18, 2002 at 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Schummy
A beginner question eletronic wise:

I assume voltages differences between line out and phone out are not very big. I usually can drive my hp or external speakers from one or the other, then... why they put those two "outs"?

Appart from voltage, what is the difference between phone and line out? Is it there to drive different impedances?

Yes, there is a difference in impedence. The line out has a higher impedence, and fixed output level. It usually should not be affected by tone controls or equalization, although many players do that.

The earphone amp jack is driven by an amp driven by the line out.
It includes equalization and volume controls, and is lower impedence.

Schummy

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