[baijxz]

would that be possible at all? to drive a power amp with ones headphone amp?
drooling over used acurus/aragon power amps at nice prices.

 

[iriverdude]

Not unless the headphone amp has pre-outs.

 

[baijxz]

why? I've yet to find a proper explanation of control amplifiers.

 

[iriverdude]

Pre-outs are variable level. If your headphone out has straight output bypass from your source, into your poweramp you'll blow up your speakers. I guess you could use the headphone output socket to line level converter, probably won't be great quality though.

Stereo pre-amplifiers are basically input switching, with tape loops (fixed), pre-outs which are variable level to your poweramps. And a variable pot. to reduce volume (from line level which is at 100% gain)

 

[SleepyOne]

There are headphone amps that can be used as pre-amp ("control amp"). Some has many inputs some only enough for 1 source. My headphone amp can be used as pre-amp. Just have a look at the products descriptions at the sellers websites, in some case the seller might even be happy to add a pre-out for you.

 

[baijxz]

but isn't a preamp the same as a headphone amp? a tiny amplifier.
and isn't the line level converter just a massive reduction of the signal?

The pico I have has a max output of 4.2V, And I've seen power amps with a input sensitivity of 1.68V. wouldn't that mean that I could set the output to say 1/8 and expect full power?

Just tell me if I'm totally off course or whatever, but please tell me why.