What is the best way to get an "all in one" setup for both headphones and speakers?

[MacMan31]

So right now my headphone setup is separate from my two channel speaker setup (used for both movies and music). I have been trying for a long time to come up with a solution to combine the two. Below is the gear list for each setup.

Headphones:
- Schiit Valhalla II
- Schiit Bifrost II
- Marantz HD-CD1
- HD6XX
- ZMF Aeolus

Two channel speaker setup:
- Marantz PM7005 integrated amp
- Marantz CD6006
- Monitor Audio Silver 100
- Sony 4K BD player and TV
- BlueSound Node 2i

I have tried the headphone jack on the PM7005. Sound is okay but I get a "hollow/echo" kind of feel to the sound. Plus I never needed to turn the volume higher than "8 o'clock" so I'm sure I could quite easily blow my headphones or my ears if I was not careful. I don't know how the HP jack is integrated within the PM7005 (or most other modern integrated amps or AVRs). I used to have a Marantz HD-DAC1 which kind of did the trick to make these two setups into one. But it was still a bit cumbersome. Simply moving the "Schiit stack" over and trying to integrate it with my speaker setup would be cumbersome also. At the very least would add more wires. Plus there is no remote for the Valhalla II. I do still play my CDs but also rip them to my Mac as ALAC files. Any suggestions on how to possibly have one integrated system would be great. Both setups are already in the same room as it is my "man cave".

 

[seppukuslick]

Are you open to selling anything?
I know you say it would be hard to combine the schitt but...
Music>blue sound node as streamer>bitfrost into pm7005 by rca and bitfrost balanced into a new balanced headphone amp by selling Valhalla>CD player of choice, tv and 4k player into digital inputs of pm7005>speakers

In addition you could get rid of the CD players and just use the uhd player. Or get sell all three players and buy a Oppo universal player that plays CDs/SACDs very well.

 

[MacMan31]

Are you open to selling anything?
I know you say it would be hard to combine the schitt but...
Music>blue sound node as streamer>bitfrost into pm7005 by rca and bitfrost balanced into a new balanced headphone amp by selling Valhalla>CD player of choice, tv and 4k player into digital inputs of pm7005>speakers

In addition you could get rid of the CD players and just use the uhd player. Or get sell all three players and buy a Oppo universal player that plays CDs/SACDs very well.

I don't mind selling and changing things up. I have thought of regaining a Marantz PM8005 which I had for a while. It has pre-outs which I could use for a subwoofer but it also has "power amp direct in" inputs so I could use it just as an amplifier. Or I could get a Marantz MM7025 which is just a power amp. I could use my DAC as a preamp of sorts. I don't have to stick with Marantz of course but those are a couple options I have considered. Right now I could even do what you suggested as I have RCA Y-splitter cables. That way I could connect to both the HP amp and speaker amp. I would need my UHD player as I have 4K BDs. Having a combined setup does complicate things but living in an apartment with someone else limits my options. I can't have a separate room for movies//TV and a room for music.

 

[Dawgfish]

My suggesting is to try one of the vintage 70s/early 80s receivers or integrateds from the likes of Marantz, Sansui, Pioneer, Sony, Yamaha, etc. I currently have a Sansui AU-719 integrated paired with a Sansui TU-517 tuner, highly modified Sonagraphe SG-3 turntable, Polk RTA-11 speakers (fully modded with new caps, RDO-194 tweeters, etc.) and Topping D-50s dac. I have other systems that cost way more than this setup but I probably play this system more than the others (mainly because my other systems are tube based so I tend to turn them off when not in use while I just leave the vintage system powered on when I'm home for a few days). It's just a fun sounding system and sounds oh so right with classic rock.

Anyways the reason I suggest something like this is most of the vintage receivers/integrateds have very good headphone stages. Most of the headphone stages from this time were powered directly from the amplifier board but with resistors in place to lower the output for headphone use. The headphone stages of these tend to have plenty of power especially with dynamic driver phones. They also tend to match very well with higher impedance phones like your HD6XX and Aeolus.

I also have a Marantz 2220b and Marantz 2250b, and I have built my lady a system with a Sansui G5000 receiver and ZU Omen speakers. All of these are exceptionally good at driving both speakers and headphones in my experience.

 

[MacMan31]

My suggesting is to try one of the vintage 70s/early 80s receivers or integrateds from the likes of Marantz, Sansui, Pioneer, Sony, Yamaha, etc. I currently have a Sansui AU-719 integrated paired with a Sansui TU-517 tuner, highly modified Sonagraphe SG-3 turntable, Polk RTA-11 speakers (fully modded with new caps, RDO-194 tweeters, etc.) and Topping D-50s dac. I have other systems that cost way more than this setup but I probably play this system more than the others (mainly because my other systems are tube based so I tend to turn them off when not in use while I just leave the vintage system powered on when I'm home for a few days). It's just a fun sounding system and sounds oh so right with classic rock.

Anyways the reason I suggest something like this is most of the vintage receivers/integrateds have very good headphone stages. Most of the headphone stages from this time were powered directly from the amplifier board but with resistors in place to lower the output for headphone use. The headphone stages of these tend to have plenty of power especially with dynamic driver phones. They also tend to match very well with higher impedance phones like your HD6XX and Aeolus.

I also have a Marantz 2220b and Marantz 2250b, and I have built my lady a system with a Sansui G5000 receiver and ZU Omen speakers. All of these are exceptionally good at driving both speakers and headphones in my experience.

What about any of these options?

 

[Dawgfish]

Out of those the Sony STR 6055 is the best deal and the one I would learn towards. The Sonys from that area where just as good as the Marantz, Sansui, and Pioneer receivers but have never quite been as trendy or in as high of a demand. Their build quality and sound quality were excellent. What speakers are you running?

 

[MacMan31]

Out of those the Sony STR 6055 is the best deal and the one I would learn towards. The Sonys from that area where just as good as the Marantz, Sansui, and Pioneer receivers but have never quite been as trendy or in as high of a demand. Their build quality and sound quality were excellent. What speakers are you running?

My speakers are the Monitor Audio Silver 100.

 

[Dawgfish]

Nice speakers! They will be a great match with the Sony. Sonys from that era tend to be detailed yet warm with good bass.

 

[MacMan31]

Nice speakers! They will be a great match with the Sony. Sony's from that era tend to be detailed yet warm with good bass.

I was looking online for a picture of the rear of that amplifier. Seems I would just have to connect my speakers with bare wire unless there is a better option. Is it possible to upgrade these old amplifiers with banana plug terminals?

 

[Dawgfish]

I was looking online for a picture of the rear of that amplifier. Seems I would just have to connect my speakers with bare wire unless there is a better option. Is it possible to upgrade these old amplifiers with banana plug terminals?

Yes if you have a good tech it can be converted to normal 5-way binding post (will work for banana plugs). Also you can have speaker cables made with pin connectors or bare wire on the amp end and bananas on the speaker end which will work with the vintage connectors. In my case I have some Zu Event speaker cable with locking bananas. You can unscrew the outer part of the locking banana leaving just a gold plated pin. The vintage wire connectors with the spring loaded terminals will accept the pin.

 

[MacMan31]

Yes if you have a good tech it can be converted to normal 5-way binding post (will work for banana plugs). Also you can have speaker cables made with pin connectors or bare wire on the amp end and bananas on the speaker end which will work with the vintage connectors. In my case I have some Zu Event speaker cable with locking bananas. You can unscrew the outer part of the locking banana leaving just a gold plated pin. The vintage wire connectors with the spring loaded terminals will accept the pin.

Okay. I could look into that. Seems like arranging this kind of setup is more difficult than I thought. But perhaps I am over thinking things. Would be great if more integrated amps had a dedicated HP amp inside with a gain selector. Just have a switch to flip between playing speakers or headphones. The "downside" to a vintage amp is there is no remote. For headphones especially I'd have to make sure the volume is right where I want it before I sit and relax. Right now I am going back and forth between my PM7005 and Schiit Valhalla 2. The Valhalla 2 sounds far better than the PM7005.

 

[Dawgfish]

Okay. I could look into that. Seems like arranging this kind of setup is more difficult than I thought. But perhaps I am over thinking things. Would be great if more integrated amps had a dedicated HP amp inside with a gain selector. Just have a switch to flip between playing speakers or headphones. The "downside" to a vintage amp is there is no remote. For headphones especially I'd have to make sure the volume is right where I want it before I sit and relax. Right now I am going back and forth between my PM7005 and Schiit Valhalla 2. The Valhalla 2 sounds far better than the PM7005.

You can actually handle the remote portion by adding a dac with remote capability. I use a Topping D50s with my vintage system solely because it has remote and Bluetooth capability. It really makes things convenient. I have the vintage system in the master bedroom which has a back porch attached. When the weather is nice I roll up the windows and open the door to the porch and hang out. I stream Tidal or whatever to the D50s and control everything on the porch with my cell phone.

I have a Bifrost 2 also that I use in a dedicated headphone rig. I swapped the stock opamps with a Burson V5 on the D50s and while it still does not sound as good as the Bifrost, it made a big difference. The somewhat detailed sound signature of the D50s actually matches well with the warm punchy sound of the Sansui. Its a great match with the vintage system and gives you a lot of flexibility/convenience.

 

[tutetibiimperes]

Okay. I could look into that. Seems like arranging this kind of setup is more difficult than I thought. But perhaps I am over thinking things. Would be great if more integrated amps had a dedicated HP amp inside with a gain selector. Just have a switch to flip between playing speakers or headphones. The "downside" to a vintage amp is there is no remote. For headphones especially I'd have to make sure the volume is right where I want it before I sit and relax. Right now I am going back and forth between my PM7005 and Schiit Valhalla 2. The Valhalla 2 sounds far better than the PM7005.

I was in a similar position to you looking for something to work equally well with speakers and headphones, plus have a remote.

I went with the Schiit Raganarok 2 and I’ve been extremely happy with it. It does pretty much exactly what you want.

 

[Steve160k]

If your looking to invest in new equipment then the answer is to look at PrimaLuna EV0 series. Quality valve amplification with headphone output. This uses the same circuit / valves as two channel to also drive the headphone stage via a voltage divider network to drop the volume to the correct level for headphones.

I was looking for the same solution a couple of weeks ago to drive both my Focal Sopra 2 speakers in the two channel system, and my Audio Technica ADX5000 / Fostex TH900 mk2 headphones. So, it had to perform. £11,000 speakers and £2,000 headphones. And perform it certainly does. This is high end electronics at sensible cost.

I have the EVO400 integrated burning in at the moment, and the combination with the Focal Sopra 2 is stunning. Likewise, the headphone replay. I no longer have the Chord Hugo 2.

This is serious equipment. It is designed in the Netherlands. I was dubious at first with the manufacturing in China, but ignore that. It's built under strict quality control. The constrution is superb.

Look inside at the components and assembly, it puts a lot of other brands to shame. I can highly recommend.

Take a look.

https://www.primaluna.nl/

 

[megabigeye]

So right now my headphone setup is separate from my two channel speaker setup (used for both movies and music). I have been trying for a long time to come up with a solution to combine the two. Below is the gear list for each setup.

Headphones:
- Schiit Valhalla II
- Schiit Bifrost II
- Marantz HD-CD1
- HD6XX
- ZMF Aeolus

Two channel speaker setup:
- Marantz PM7005 integrated amp
- Marantz CD6006
- Monitor Audio Silver 100
- Sony 4K BD player and TV
- BlueSound Node 2i

I have tried the headphone jack on the PM7005. Sound is okay but I get a "hollow/echo" kind of feel to the sound. Plus I never needed to turn the volume higher than "8 o'clock" so I'm sure I could quite easily blow my headphones or my ears if I was not careful. I don't know how the HP jack is integrated within the PM7005 (or most other modern integrated amps or AVRs). I used to have a Marantz HD-DAC1 which kind of did the trick to make these two setups into one. But it was still a bit cumbersome. Simply moving the "Schiit stack" over and trying to integrate it with my speaker setup would be cumbersome also. At the very least would add more wires. Plus there is no remote for the Valhalla II. I do still play my CDs but also rip them to my Mac as ALAC files. Any suggestions on how to possibly have one integrated system would be great. Both setups are already in the same room as it is my "man cave".

Just to add another voice to the choir...
To get things straight, you're looking to consolidate your headphone and speaker systems into one, ideally with an integrated with a good headphone amp?

Maybe check out Peachtree Audio. I've been using a Peachtree nova65SE for years and it fills that role for me nicely. That model is no longer made, but it looks like their newer models still have discrete HP amps. Multiple digital and analog inputs, remote included. No HDMI, but I've used HDMI from BDP to TV and S/PDIF to the Peachtree.

I think Parasound's New Classic line also uses discrete headphone amps, but I don't know much about them. I think that they use 3.5mm, though, which for me would be an annoyance.