[redstar]

Hi all,

I was looking to get a bass-head for my bass guitar, something like the Ashdown ABM-600
http://ashdownmusic.com/products/1/Bass-Amplification/2/ABM/139/ABM600EVO-IV/

This bass-head, among others does not have a headphone out. Im aware some models do, but most of what i would like to get dont have a hp out.

How can I go about connecting a headphone amp to a basshead?
Do i use the XLR outs, that would go to the speaker cab, and find a headphone amp that has XLR in? Will any damage be caused using that method?

Could any kind person link me to some headphone amps that would work.

Also, once a method and amp has been decided, what headphones would work well for this situation of listening to bass playing?

Thanks for any help.

 

[H20Fidelity]

You would connect a cable with a 6.3mm jack on one end to the device line out (circled in red below)
 

 
 
On the other end of that cable you will need a 3.5mm jack for connecting a portable headphone amp or whichever input connections the headphone amp uses, for example RCA plugs. 

 

[redstar]

Great, thanks for the reply.
So its as simple as lineout (basshead) to RCA on headphone amp.

Cable like this as an example?
http://www.tronios.com/media/catalog/product/cache/4/image/1000x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/7/177027_side.jpg

The hp amp i have is a Burson Conductor SL 1793, which has RCA.
I could use this with no problem?
http://www.needledoctor.com/Burson-Audio-Conductor-SL-1793-Image-2.jpg

Will line out from the basshead to my burson, damage it in anyway?

Will i get the full quality from line out?
Is it possible to use XLR?

Thanks again.

 

[H20Fidelity]

Great, thanks for the reply.
So its as simple as lineout (basshead) to RCA on headphone amp.

Cable like this as an example?
http://www.tronios.com/media/catalog/product/cache/4/image/1000x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/7/177027_side.jpg

The hp amp i have is a Burson Conductor SL 1793, which has RCA.
I could use this with no problem?
http://www.needledoctor.com/Burson-Audio-Conductor-SL-1793-Image-2.jpg

Will line out from the basshead to my burson, damage it in anyway?

Will i get the full quality from line out?
Is it possible to use XLR?

Thanks again.

 
That cable is correct in your top link.
 
What a line out does is send a line level signal directly from the devices DAC to external amplifiers, it actually bypasses the internal amp on the device which is exactly what you want to achieve. 
 
Those XLR connections on the rear are for connecting speakers.
 

 
 
You absolutely want the line out jack on the front.

 

[redstar]

Amazing, thank you!
Forgive me for sounding stupid, but as it is bypassing the amp in the ashdown, will i still be hearing the true sound of the basshead through the connected headphone amp, in this case the burson conductor SL.

Something like this violectric amp, has a left and right xlr input on the back, could the basshead speaker xlrs be connected to the amp in this way?
https://images4.static-thomann.de/pics/bdb/236117/5073617_800.jpg
http://www.thomann.de/gb/violectric_hpa_200_kopfhoererverstaerker.htm?sid=48411ac249b597b012ea585dabb11fc6

Thanks

 

[H20Fidelity]

Amazing, thank you!
Forgive me for sounding stupid, but as it is bypassing the amp in the ashdown, will i still be hearing the true sound of the basshead through the connected headphone amp, in this case the burson conductor SL.

Something like this violectric amp, has a left and right xlr input on the back, could the basshead speaker xlrs be connected to the amp in this way?
https://images4.static-thomann.de/pics/bdb/236117/5073617_800.jpg
http://www.thomann.de/gb/violectric_hpa_200_kopfhoererverstaerker.htm?sid=48411ac249b597b012ea585dabb11fc6

Thanks

 
To connect the Violectric you would use the line out, on the front with a 6.3mm to XLR cable. 

 
The sound you will hear from the Burson will be a flavour or mix of both, the DAC section feeding the Burson amp.
 
I'm sure you'll be happy with the outcome.

 

[redstar]

Right cool, thanks so much, thats cleared up the connection. I Assume there is no difference in sound quality, between line out to rca and line out to xlr?

Do i have the correct understanding on the following;
As the basshead is a valve amp and is shaping the sound, am I going to be wanting a clean solid-state headphone amp which has no colour in it, to get the best representation of the bassheads valve sound?

If the amp inside the head is being bypassed, am i loosing the valve sound and tone shape produced by the basshead? Im quite confused on this. Does it make this basshead pointless?

Does the same apply for headphones. Am i going to be needing a pair of headphones that are clear and give an accurate representation of the sound? Or do i need to be looking more at some bass heavy warm headphones?

Thanks again
Dan.

 

[H20Fidelity]

Right cool, thanks so much, thats cleared up the connection. I Assume there is no difference in sound quality, between line out to rca and line out to xlr?

Do i have the correct understanding on the following;
As the basshead is a valve amp and is shaping the sound, am I going to be wanting a clean solid-state headphone amp which has no colour in it, to get the best representation of the bassheads valve sound?

If the amp inside the head is being bypassed, am i loosing the valve sound and tone shape produced by the basshead? Im quite confused on this. Does it make this basshead pointless?

Does the same apply for headphones. Am i going to be needing a pair of headphones that are clear and give an accurate representation of the sound? Or do i need to be looking more at some bass heavy warm headphones?

Thanks again
Dan.

 
I'm sorry, we're venturing into questions I cannot supply answers for regarding the tubes and your bass amp.
 
Its really not that complicated, whatever headphone you choose to use with the Burson is going to sound fine, its all preferences and only you can decide.
 
Don't read into it too much. 

 
Goodluck friend.