[soulrider4ever]

I know it's an odd question - I promise I did use the search function - but are there any headphone amplifiers that don't have a preamp / volume control function? Coming from the mindset of using speakers - I typically go full separates (dedicated amp, dedicated preamp, dedicated dac, etc), it seems all 'headphone amps' I look for are really 'integrated amps' since they have their own preamplifier line stage built in.

Is anyone of aware of dedicated headphone power amplifiers without any sort of built in volume control?

 

[chesebert]

You can ask if Justin at Headamp will customize one of this gsx mk2 for you without a pot. Otherwise nothing commercially available.

 

[soulrider4ever]

Sounds like I'll be looking for custom headphone cables that terminate to banana plugs and find a traditional speaker amplifier.

 

[chesebert]

Sounds like I'll be looking for custom headphone cables that terminate to banana plugs and find a traditional speaker amplifier.

I would not go that route depending on what cans you are looking to drive. DC offset and rush current could be problematic.

 

[desertsilver]

Sounds like I'll be looking for custom headphone cables that terminate to banana plugs and find a traditional speaker amplifier.

It's probably not a jack issue. I could be wrong that when you play at relatively small volume (driving headphone with power amps), you might not hit the sweet spot of the power amp, either SNR or dynamic range might not work in favor for you. Also it could be pretty easy to push your headphone out of spec/tolerance by just a tiny bit of volume knob turn.

 

[earmonger]

VE Megatron, no volume control, USB powered. Gets great reviews here and elsewhere; no personal experience.

For high-impedance headphones only, not IEMs.

$50!
https://www.veclan.com/engappliance_sel_one?eng_ApplianceVo.eac_id=63

 

[soulrider4ever]

VE Megatron, no volume control, USB powered. Gets great reviews; no personal experience.
For high-impedance headphones only, not IEMs.
$50!
https://www.veclan.com/engappliance_sel_one?eng_ApplianceVo.eac_id=63

If only it had a line in from a dedicated preamp, and don't want a DAC

 

[Jim Hagerman]

any headphone amplifiers that don't have a preamp / volume control function?

My TUBA does not have a preamp, as input signal goes straight to output tube. Just enough gain to make it work. It does have volume control. I would suggest that whatever amplifier you choose, just set gain to maximum and leave it there, which should offer least distortion and noise.

 

[hk29]

Not exactly only a headphone amp. But what about the Mha200? It's got a gain control supposedly and not a volume. Its best if you set it and use a preamp volume.

 

[hk29]

Burson 3xp has an amp mode to bypass the volume only, but you an still switch the gain.

 

[nieveulv]

The ferrum OOR also have a preamp bypass switch at the back of the unit

 

[ok computer]

Little labs phonitor also has a bypass on it’s volume pot.