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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
 
Thks,Kr; I kinda knew it had to be something like that.
zargon's avatar
zargon OP
453 posts
 
I believe matching the pre output and headphone input impedances will maximize the power transfer. So, anything else different between a pre with headphone jacks and one without?
jewel_hasan's avatar
jewel_hasan
98 posts
 
I am also interested in finding out more on the topic....lately I find myself browsing through the for-sale ads for headphones, but my current setup (pre, cdp or amp) does not have a headphone jack. It would be great if I could avoid buying a separate HD amp. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread...
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,672 posts
 
It may maximise the power transfer but if there isn't enought drive power to begin with it won't matter.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Antique Sound Labs (ASL) makes an impedence matching device specifically for driving headphones from a high voltage pre-amp RCA output. If anyone wants more info, email me off-forum.
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