Hooking up AKG K701's with a Turntable

[Estel]

Hi there,
 
Recently I bought a second hand classic Technics SL1200. I want to listen with my AKG K701's but I need some advice.
 
I was using my headphones with Asus Xonar Essence STX and I was satisfied with the performance. Now I want a similar performance.
 
What I need is a pre-amp for the turntable and a headphone amp. My important question is an amplifier like,
 
Little Dot MK III Tube Headphone Amplifier / Pre-amplifier
 
will be enough? Or should I buy pre-amp and head-amp separately? And if so do you have some bargain suggestions?
 
I know recommending amp's for AKG K7xx series are getting boring but there is no way I can give that amount of money for Heed CanAMP , I wish I can though!

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I'm not sure but I think the SL1200 doesn't have a built-in preamp. Which means it won't sound right connected straight to any amp, unless of course, you get an integrated amp that has a TT preamp. Take note, there's a difference between, say, an integrated amp that has only "labels" for TT, CD and DVD, and one that actually has a true phono input. Also, unless you listen primarily to speakers, better to get a phono pre and headphone amp. Preferably an amp with two inputs, or you use a switcher, so both analog and digital (PC, PC+DAC) can use the same amp without unplugging the cables. And the "preamp" listed as part of the MkIII's feature set is not the same as a phono preamp. That's a preamp for feeding a power amp for speakers. A phono preamp is for amplifying the analog signal put out by the cartridge. Think of it in terms of digital audio: the cartridge is a lot like the laser head and DAC chip, the phono preamp is the analog output section on the DAC or CDPlayer with the OpAmps and HDAM. Portable players like the iPod isn't the same sort of DAC chip since that's an "integrated" design, ie, it implements digital volume, and needs no analog OpAmp, which is why without doing the iMod digital volume control still affects the dock lineout. The S:Flo is a more conventional design though.
 
Also, you have to get the right preamp/integrated amp with phono pre input. MM and MC cartridges cannot be interchanged with the other's phono preamp.

 

[Estel]

You're right I totally got it wrong. So basically I need a phono pre-amp and a headphone amp. I did a little search and thankfully phone pre-amps are not so expensive as headphone amps .
 
I'm still open for brand recommendations by the way..

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Start reading about Grado and AT Carts with NAD and Cambridge preamps. Best get a preamp that's compatible with your current cart (if it came with one), but check also how many other carts are compatible with it. Basically, MM = Moving Magnet and MC = Moving Coil, in terms of cart design.