An headphone amp good also as line preamp

[ginetto61]

Hi !
I wonder if a nice headphone amp can work also as a line preamp
Usually there is the issue of a voltage gain too high
Honestly I do not know if there is a way to reduce this gain
But recently I understand some very nice headphone amps come with a switchable gain option
Also for using them with IEM that do require less voltage i think
I think this could be a great approach because i deem headphones an exceptional tool to assess the sound quality of an equipment
So if a headphone amp is great with headphones it should be also great driving a power amp or powered speakers
I will sell my line preamp and I would be willing to buy such headphone amp in the end
Thanks a lot for any suggestion
Kind regards,
gino

 

[hodgjy]

Many headphone amps also have a line-level pre-out.  This typically has a nominal voltage of 2 V.  This is also un-amped.  But, while you may be able to use the headphone out jack to feed a power amp and still get sound, that is not an ideal configuration.  It is double amping and can lead to less than desirable end effects, such as a higher noise floor and clipping.  In other words, don't use the headphone out to feed a power amp.

 

[ginetto61]

Thank you very much indeed
Of course i would disconnect the HPs if I would use the amp as a preamp
But I had the idea looking at the Asgard 2.  It has actually this option to work as a line preamp
I think it is a amped output but i do not know about the gain.
I read that also HP amp for IEM have low impedance and low voltage gain .... this is very interesting
I have always looked at the HPs as a tool like this for the audio system
 

 
A very selective tool indeed, much more than the average couple of speakers.
If I can get a very good sound at HP level it means that everything upwards is very good. This is not a little achievement.
Only some other voltage and current gain is needed, and of course speakers
But lately I have become much more interested in HPs for avoiding issues with the neighbours
And i will listen to speakers very seldom, during the weekend
But i record your very valuable advice
I see that my idea is not very smart
Thanks and kind regards,
gino