Headphone amp/dac output question

[Sublix09]

Hello all, thank you in advance, I'm hoping someone can help me figure out what I need in terms of output from a heaphone amp/dac combo to a 2.0 bookshelf speaker amp.
 
From what I understand, double "amping" is not recommended, but to ensure it doesn't happen, what type of output should the headphone amp/dac combo have? I just basically want the output to be a non-amplified "pass through" (probably not the right term) of the dac to my speaker amp.
 
Am I looking for a line out? Pre-out? Pre-amp? Does such an output exist on a headphone amp/dac combo that suits my needs? That's the cause of my confusion.
 
I hope I made sense, I'm so sorry if I didn't 

 

 

[obobskivich]

"Line out" or "fixed output" via something like TRS or RCA would work with a powered system assuming it has its own volume control. "Pre-amp"/"pre-out" or "variable output" if said system doesn't have its own volume control (e.g. many active monitors don't).

This isn't really an uncommon feature (either way) - just look around for whatever suits your specific tastes and needs. Alternatively, if these are passive speakers, you could get a device that can run the speakers and headphones all from one box, like a receiver or a desktop dac/amp combo "thingamajig" (e.g. PS Audio Sprout) which are a bit more esoteric but can make for an all-in-one solution.

 

[Mr Rick]

  Hello all, thank you in advance, I'm hoping someone can help me figure out what I need in terms of output from a heaphone amp/dac combo to a 2.0 bookshelf speaker amp.
 
From what I understand, double "amping" is not recommended, but to ensure it doesn't happen, what type of output should the headphone amp/dac combo have? I just basically want the output to be a non-amplified "pass through" (probably not the right term) of the dac to my speaker amp.
 
Am I looking for a line out? Pre-out? Pre-amp? Does such an output exist on a headphone amp/dac combo that suits my needs? That's the cause of my confusion.
 
I hope I made sense, I'm so sorry if I didn't 

 

 
If your speaker amp has an aux input or tape input you would want a headphone amp with a pass-thru. 
 
If your speaker amp has the ability to separate amp from preamp ( like my integrated amplifier ) then a headphone amp with a pre-out like the Schiit Jotunheim will do the job.
 
In the first case. the volume provided to your speakers will be controlled by your speaker amp. 
 
In the second case, your headphone amp will control volume to headphones and speaker amp.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Hello all, thank you in advance, I'm hoping someone can help me figure out what I need in terms of output from a headphone amp/dac combo to a 2.0 bookshelf speaker amp.
 
From what I understand, double "amping" is not recommended, but to ensure it doesn't happen, what type of output should the headphone amp/dac combo have? I just basically want the output to be a non-amplified "pass through" (probably not the right term) of the dac to my speaker amp.
 
Am I looking for a line out? Pre-out? Pre-amp? Does such an output exist on a headphone amp/dac combo that suits my needs? That's the cause of my confusion.
 
I hope I made sense, I'm so sorry if I didn't 

 

 
What is the source for your audio?
We can assume is a computer?
What headphone are you using?
 
Guess your looking for an external DAC/headphone amplifier, that also comes with a line-output (RCA or 3.5mm) to connect to the line-input (RCA or 3.5mm) on your speaker amp.
 
What is your budget?
 
How about a Asus Xonar DX sound card (used, $40-$60), as the DAC.
and a Bravo Ocean tube (hybrid) headphone amplifier, $80.
The Bravo Ocean comes with a separate Line-ouput (RCA), you could coonect to the speaker amp.

 

[Sublix09]

"Line out" or "fixed output" via something like TRS or RCA would work with a powered system assuming it has its own volume control. "Pre-amp"/"pre-out" or "variable output" if said system doesn't have its own volume control (e.g. many active monitors don't).

This isn't really an uncommon feature (either way) - just look around for whatever suits your specific tastes and needs. Alternatively, if these are passive speakers, you could get a device that can run the speakers and headphones all from one box, like a receiver or a desktop dac/amp combo "thingamajig" (e.g. PS Audio Sprout) which are a bit more esoteric but can make for an all-in-one solution.

 
Thank you very much for clearing things up for me, I have been debating getting an all in one solution as you say, it would reduce the clutter around my desk considering I'm currently using a rather large Harmon Kardon AVR-146 5.1 receiver on a small desk LOL
 
 

   
If your speaker amp has an aux input or tape input you would want a headphone amp with a pass-thru. 
 
If your speaker amp has the ability to separate amp from preamp ( like my integrated amplifier ) then a headphone amp with a pre-out like the Schiit Jotunheim will do the job.
 
In the first case. the volume provided to your speakers will be controlled by your speaker amp. 
 
In the second case, your headphone amp will control volume to headphones and speaker amp.

 
Depending which route I go as obobskivich suggested, either an all in one or seperate devices, knowing how it works when it comes to pass-thru vs pre-out is very valuable in terms of decision making for me, I thank you for pointing that out!
 
 

   
What is the source for your audio?
We can assume is a computer?
What headphone are you using?
 
Guess your looking for an external DAC/headphone amplifier, that also comes with a line-output (RCA or 3.5mm) to connect to the line-input (RCA or 3.5mm) on your speaker amp.
 
What is your budget?
 
How about a Asus Xonar DX sound card (used, $40-$60), as the DAC.
and a Bravo Ocean tube (hybrid) headphone amplifier, $80.
The Bravo Ocean comes with a separate Line-ouput (RCA), you could coonect to the speaker amp.

 
You're exactly right on the source being from my computer. I currently have 250ohm Beyerdynmic DT 990's, plugged into a Sound blaster Z Sound card. They are able to push the headphones no problem, however, I sort of wonder at what price point would a seperate DAC + Amp or a combo be better then my current setup? I'm rather flexible on the budget (around 400$) as long as its worth the upgrade.

 

[PurpleAngel]

   
I'm currently using a rather large Harmon Kardon AVR-146 5.1 receiver on a small desk LOL
You're exactly right on the source being from my computer. I currently have 250-Ohm Beyerdynmic DT 990's, plugged into a Sound Blaster Z Sound card. They are able to push the headphones no problem, however, I sort of wonder at what price point would a separate DAC + Amp or a combo be better then my current setup? I'm rather flexible on the budget (around 400$) as long as its worth the upgrade.

 
Your much better off upgrading from the DT990, then upgrading from the SB-Z card.
 
Here is some opened-boxed Beyerdynamic T90 (open) headphones, for $275
http://www.ebay.com/itm/302145606176?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
If for some reason your need to used closed headphones, for blocking noise
Here are some Beyer T70, for $230 (+ $15 shippping).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/112210730493?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
But the T90 is better.
 
The DT990 have a strong bass/treble, but the T90 & T70 offer better clarity.
I use my T90 for all audio
 
You can have your SB-Z card connected to the HK AVR-146 in two ways,
running optical port to optical port
and from the SB-Z's Front speaker jack, to the RCA inputs on the AVR-146
Have you tried both way to see which sounds better.
 
The headphones can be connected to both the SB-Z's headphone output jack and the HK AVR-146 headphone jack
Try both, see which sounds better.
 
The SB-Z can not send SBX headphone surround sound thru the Front speaker jack, but it can thru optical.

 

[Sublix09]

   
Your much better off upgrading from the DT990, then upgrading from the SB-Z card.
 
Here is some opened-boxed Beyerdynamic T90 (open) headphones, for $275
http://www.ebay.com/itm/302145606176?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
If for some reason your need to used closed headphones, for blocking noise
Here are some Beyer T70, for $230 (+ $15 shippping).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/112210730493?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
But the T90 is better.
 
The DT990 have a strong bass/treble, but the T90 & T70 offer better clarity.
I use my T90 for all audio
 
You can have your SB-Z card connected to the HK AVR-146 in two ways,
running optical port to optical port
and from the SB-Z's Front speaker jack, to the RCA inputs on the AVR-146
Have you tried both way to see which sounds better.
 
The headphones can be connected to both the SB-Z's headphone output jack and the HK AVR-146 headphone jack
Try both, see which sounds better.
 
The SB-Z can not send SBX headphone surround sound thru the Front speaker jack, but it can thru optical.

 
Hmmm you have me thinking now about changing my priorities to a headphones upgrade instead, decisions, decisions LOL
 
I'm currently plugged into the HK via optical from the SB Z, I had tried with the front speaker output to RCA at first, then to optical, which to my ears seemed to have a cleaner sound.
 
I'm tempted just to get a decent headphone amp for the DT 990's since plugging them into the HK seemed to produce a slight buzzing sound, plus I'd much prefer the ability to control my volume with a dial then within windows.
 
Sooo many possibilities haha.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions and help PurpleAngel. Now I have some thinking to do 

 

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Hmmm you have me thinking now about changing my priorities to a headphones upgrade instead, decisions, decisions LOL
I'm currently plugged into the HK via optical from the SB-Z, I had tried with the front speaker output to RCA at first, then to optical, which to my ears seemed to have a cleaner sound.
I'm tempted just to get a decent headphone amp for the DT 990's since plugging them into the HK seemed to produce a slight buzzing sound, plus I'd much prefer the ability to control my volume with a dial then within windows.
Sooo many possibilities haha.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions and help PurpleAngel. Now I have some thinking to do 

 

Did you disable the motherboard's on-board audio, in the BIOS, when you installed the SB-Z card?
(slight chance active on-board might effect an add-on sound card)
 
How about a Hifimediy optical DAC, $59
http://hifimediy.com/DACs/ready-made-dacs/SPDIF-9018-DAC
 
If you have no need for the SB-Z's SBX Headphone surround sound.
Just get a headphone amplifier and plug it into the SB-Z's Front Speaker jack
 
This  Bravo Ocean tube amp is $89.95 or best offer.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/371803962868?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
I would really try to talk you into getting the Beyer T90 and sell off the DT990.
 
I own the DT990 Pro 250-Ohm and DT990 Premium 600-Ohm, but all I like to use is the T90