[johnnypaddock]

I've got a question, as someone new to headphones.  Would it be possible for me to integrate headphone listening into my main stereo system?
 
 
My system:
Digital: Squeezebox Touch > PS Audio Nuwave DAC
Analog: Rega P5 turntable
Speakers:  Ascend Acoustics - Sierra Towers

Each source runs to a Rega Brio-R integrated amp, to the speakers.
The Squeezebox is connected to the Nuwave DAC with a coax cable.
 
 
I plan on picking up a pair of Sennheiser 600 or 650's for home listening, and would love to get into a tube headphone amp, like a Woo Audio or something.  I just have no clue how I could hook this up, along with the components I already have in place. The Brio-R has a pair of "tape out" jacks, but these are not line level pre-outs, from what I've read... I'm not sure that I understand this, exactly.
 
I suppose I would be willing to replace my DAC if necessary, to get one with a headphone pre-out or something, but I do like the Brio-R and would prefer to stick with it if possible.


Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much, as always.

 

[p a t r i c k]

Hi
 
I think the "tape out" will be a line out and that you can plug your headphone amp into those.
 
If I were you I'd email Rega to confirm.
 
For a headphone amplifier have you considered the Rega Ear?
 
http://www.rega.co.uk/html/Ear%202012.htm
 
I think it might be very nice

 

[kramer5150]

I don't have any first hand experience with that amp and admittedly I had to google it further... but I think your recording output can be used to send a line out to a headphone amp.  single ended of course.  The amp you chose have to be selected carefully to optimize circuit gain between the headphone and that recording line output level.

 

[johnnypaddock]

Thanks for the suggestions... that sounds great to me. If I can use the "tape out" from the Brio-R, I can listen to both vinyl and high res. digital files.

When you say "single ended", do you mean using a Y connector from the amp outputs to the headphone amp input? If that's the case, I'm guessing that the quality of the cable will also make a difference.

Thanks again!

 

[p a t r i c k]

Quote:

Thanks for the suggestions... that sounds great to me. If I can use the "tape out" from the Brio-R, I can listen to both vinyl and high res. digital files.

When you say "single ended", do you mean using a Y connector from the amp outputs to the headphone amp input? If that's the case, I'm guessing that the quality of the cable will also make a difference.

Thanks again!

 
When the term "single ended" was used I think it was meaning not balanced. You don't have any balanced connections I'm sure.
 
With regard to the issue of cable quality in any case I recommend using well constructed standard cables which are probably not very expensive. Avoid the many high priced cables advertised with nonsense pseudo-science or magical properties.

 

[kramer5150]

Quote:

 
When the term "single ended" was used I think it was meaning not balanced. You don't have any balanced connections I'm sure.
 
With regard to the issue of cable quality in any case I recommend using well constructed standard cables which are probably not very expensive. Avoid the many high priced cables advertised with nonsense pseudo-science or magical properties.

patrick is correct... you need a single ended amp NOT balanced.
 
FWIW... he is also correct (or at least I am in agreement) regarding cable voodoo.  I was using star quad and neutrix RCAs and DIY making my own with great results.  I downgraded to monster cable interlink (GAG) simply because the cabling was much more flexible exiting the RCA jack so I could bend them more easily and arrange my gear more easily on my nightstand.  But theres no difference in sound quality either way.

 

[johnnypaddock]

Oh, I see what you are saying about single ended vs. balanced. Makes sense to me. I know my DAC has balanced outputs, but I am using the standard RCA jacks because the Rega doesn't support the XLR cables.

Really great advice here... thanks again.