[Szadzik]

Head-fiers,

Have been lurking a bit and really have to say I like all the information in this forum.

I have a question regarding using the headphone out jack or line out jack on my pc.

I have both and am wondering if there is any difference in using them just for my headphones.

Thanks in advance,
Jack

 

[OICWUTUDIDTHAR]

try both out and see...

 

[.Sup]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OICWUTUDIDTHAR /img/forum/go_quote.gif try both out and see...

Exactly. Both output ports may be using different opamps, some are better, some aren't as good.

 

[germanium]

If you are talking of the Xonar Essense ST or STX the headphone output is D.C. coupled & uses a special headphone amp IC & the Line out is capacitor coupled & uses a high quality chip opamp. Both of these are D.C. coupled to the I/V section which is D.C. coupled to the DAC.

Some people prefer the sound of the headphone amp out feeding anouther amp & some prefere the line out for that function. The headphone amp out is more articulate than the line out in stock form which is why some prefer that but others claim it sounds harsh. It is true that the headphone out can sound harsh on certain types of music especially older rock from the 70's-80's that was improperly EQed as they used the tapes that were EQed for LP & as a result had a scorching top end. The Line out on these cards softens this slightly due to the quality of the coupling cap or I should say lack there of. Removing these caps & putting wire in thier place makes the line out sound pretty much like the headphone out though maybe just very slightly better as some claim that have tried it.

 

[Szadzik]

I am just using a built in Soundmax sound card, nothing fancy I would assume. I does have the line out, headphone out and coaxial that I use for connecting home cinema system in my sig.

I was just wondering whether it makes any difference between these two, but it seems I just have to see for myself

I wiull test both and see how I like them for what I listen to.

Thanks