Using a reciever as an Amp?

[skeeder]

I'm sure it can be done. But as a college kid I was thinking instead of buying a headphone amp, I could get a reciever, probably a Marantz or something nice. That way, I could get some speakers later one without having to get a reciever as well. How does a reciever match up to headphones amps? (max I will spend on reciever is around $500)

 

[fogia.4]

A receiver is simply an integrated amplifier with a tuner, nothing more. If it has a headphone plug then yes, you can use it to power headphones, however quality probably wont be as good as buying a headphone amp if you go for a budget receiver, I suggest getting a headphone amp with preamp function, so you can buy a power amp (which should be cheaper than the integrated (power amp + preamp) amplifier) it would be a little more expensive than buying a receiver with headphone out but you'll have a decent headphone amp at least.

 

[Joey_V]

It would vary, but in my experience, even the HK330 receiver's headphone out was subpar compared to my gs1.

You will pay a big premium, but you get what you pay for generally.