Is there any good headphone amp being good as a pre-amp?

[georgios]

I have a senn hd580 and have been searching for a good amp for some time. I spend so much time in front of my pc in one day. So I hope the headphone amp can also drive my active speakers well as a preamp so that it will be convennient to listen music via headphone or speakers. SO, plz give me a recommendation,thanks in advance

 

[sacd lover]

I am going to assume you want a reasonably priced amp; not one thats not extremely expensive. So picking an arbitrary < $1000 price point the Gilmore v2 and v2-se solid state amps come with both options. The Mapletree Ear + tube headamp has a version that includes a preamp output. The Eddie Current hd25 tube amp is both a headamp and preamp. Any of the Singlepower amps can have preamp outputs added for a small charge. Some of the Woo Audio headamps have preamp outputs on them. I use both a gilmore v1 and a prototype singlepower amp for preamp duties myself. I prefer the singlepower but I prefer tube amps in general.

www.headamp.com

www.mapletreeaudio.com

www.singlepoweraudio.com

www.eddiecurrent.com

www.wooaudio.com

 

[daycart1]

If by "active speakers", you mean computer speakers, then I'm sure you'll get excellent results from any head amp that has an appropriate line out. You could also plug right into the head out, I think, though that would be less satisfactory.

If you have fancy active speakers (Like the Paradigms), then you would want to be fussier, but still a decent head amp will serve well as a preamp.

 

[georgios]

thanks a lot,

my active speaker is Behringer Truth B2031,

although not very hi-end, much better than normal computer speakers. I am wondering whether the line out of headphone amps can funtion as a pre amp output. Most of time, I think the volume of line out can not be controlled.

 

[sacd lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgios thanks a lot, my active speaker is Behringer Truth B2031, although not very hi-end, much better than normal computer speakers. I am wondering whether the line out of headphone amps can funtion as a pre amp output. Most of time, I think the volume of line out can not be controlled.

All of the options I listed for you have line outputs (or can add them) that are volume controlled. Check the Gilmore V2/V2-SE, Eddie Current HD25 and Mapletree Ear++ 2 as they specifically mention the preamp feature. I have used the preamp features on the gilmore amps and Eddie Current hd300 personally.

 

[gerG]

I am on a similar quest, so I will share some observations.

I liked the Sugden better as a preamp than as a headphone amp. Not bad if you can find one for a reasonable price.

I didn't like the Gilmores as either. Sort of a edgy uncomfortable sound (not to be confused with detail or accuracy).

Any aspirations of using a computer as a source? The Yamaha DP-u50 is going for cheap right now, and it does a remarkable job for the price.

I am very curious about the Benchmark DAC-1, but I have not owned one yet.

I am even more curious about the Grace M902, but they don't ship for a couple more weeks.

Don't over-constrain yourself. Go after your primary need first (maybe a good passive preamp) and then look for a deal on a Perreaux or Corda.

Just food for thought.


gerG

 

[thefinder]

What's the difference between the preamp out of Gilmore V2 and the line-out of Gilmore Lite, btw?

 

[NightStalker]

From my understanding Talisman: T-35HP seems to have a very big following over here with users falling in love with the 'talisman sound'. You would have to do a search to find the Pre-amp experiences as I and the others I can remember have not been able to hear it as a pre-amp.

Cheers
-jake

 

[sacd lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefinder What's the difference between the preamp out of Gilmore V2 and the line-out of Gilmore Lite, btw?

The v2's preamp output is a second output from the same active gain stage that drives the headphones; with both controlled by the same volume control. The lite has a loop out which is a pass through. The signal coming into the lite from the source is diverted or passed through to another headamp/preamp or processor. This output is not connected to the volume control and the full strength signal from the source is sent to whatever you connect to this output. I use my gilmore v1 as a preamp to drive my amp > speakers. I use the loop out in my mpx3 (same as the lite) to connect a second headamp. I can then drive either or both of the two amps, with one source, with each headamp having its own independent volume control.

 

[Tuberoller]

The best deal as far as a great headamp/preamp combo is the Meier Audio Prehead and Prehead MKII. It has outstanding performance as both a head and preamp. The Ray Samuels Audio Emmeline II Stealth is an incredible preamp/headamp as well but costs twice as much as the Prehead. The Stealth is tubed and the Prehead is solid-state but both sound incredible. Both products are engineered as preamps and offer uncomprimising build and sound quality. You should be able to audition both these amps from one of our site sponsors, Todd The Vinyl Junkie . He has a 30 day return policy and is great to deal with.

 

[sacd lover]

You can buy a rca to 1/4" stereo adapter from Radioshack for $2-3. Connect your rca interconnects from your speakers to the 1/4" adapter and plug the adapter in the headphone jack. You can then use your headamp to control the volume and drive the speakers. When you want to use the headphones unplug the adapter and plug in your headphones. This is as easy as changing headphones. I have used several headamps this way and it works very well.

 

[Wmcmanus]

In a system with small monitor/bookshelf speakers similar to yours, I've had excellent results with the following: Sugden Headmaster, Berning micro ZOTL, and the Emmeline Stealth. Any of the Single Power amps will do the trick as well. My favorite so far in terms of bang for the buck has been the ZOTL. It gives you all sorts of flexibility because it can be tube rolled to your desired flavor, and thus is fun to play around with.

 

[georgios]

Would those amps be good for Senn HD580?

 

[bifcake]

I use Cary SLP-88 Preamp as my headphone amp. It's very, very good. One of those undiscovered wonders. The SLP88 is a very good preamp as well.

 

[Quoth]

Since I actually own a pair of B2031 fed by my headphone rig, I thought I might share my thoughts...

They are connected with a set of 10m $30 interconnects from the Prehead, and the system works great considering its price. The monitors image without problem, and the quality of the source really shines through. The resolution is at least the equal of my at least decent h/t rig. I use them mostly for background music, but I was actually surprised by how good the system sounds considering the price of the monitors and interconnects when I hooked it up. Bass is of course lacking (the monitors roll of around 50Hz) and on occasion, I pick up some weird FM-station due to the long interconnects (a pair of ferrites took care of most of that problem), but as a whole the system is fun and entertaining. The prehead is also excellent at driving Sennheisers, so I say go for the Prehead if the price is right.