2. amps-preamps
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Earphones driven by preamp RCAs?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of driving headphones off the preamp RCAs (my pre has no earphone jack)?

The eaphones have an impedance of 300 ohms. The preamp has an output impedance of 325 ohms, SE. For good listening, I need to turn the preamp volume to about 12:00.

Would a preamp with a phono jack, or a dedicated preamp do a better job?
128x128zargon
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
I have a 'phone amp. It has rca inputs-- I would just guess this is why they make HP amps. I'm curious to see what others say.
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,672 posts
 
The jack ain't the issue; it's what's driving the jack. You preamp has a relatively low output impedance and does a fair job of driving the phones. However, the fact that you have to set the VC at 12 o'clock suggests that there's not much power output available.

A dedicated phone stage, regardless of the output jack, will have more power and a lower impedance. The result will probably be lower distortion.
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Thks,Kr; I kinda knew it had to be something like that.
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