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How to Connect Headphones to a SMSL DAC

I use my NODE 3 N130 with a SMSL M400 DAC.  The NODE has a 3.5mm headphone jack, but it bypasses the SMSL.  The SMSL does not have a jack,

On the SMSL the RCA connectors are used for the powered speakers, and the XLR connectors are used for two powered subs.  I still have optical, HDMI and Bluetooth outputs.

I’m thinking of Sennheiser HD600 or similar headphones, but I don’t know how to connect them to the DAC.  Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

128x128tcotruvo
soix
8,729 posts
 

You could get this and plug the one side into the RCA output of the DAC and plug the two pair on the other end into your speakers and the headphone amp of your choice.  It’s a cheap and effective solution I’d think.  If you have a budget in mind for a headphone amp I can give you some recommendations if you’d like   Hope this helps.


https://www.amazon.com/Arklove-Shielded-Splitter-Connector-Extension/dp/B0BS1K4ZYQ/ref=sr_1_10?crid=3T0O00OO3RU32&keywords=rca%2Bsplitter%2B2%2Bmale%2Bto%2B4%2Bmale&qid=1689801102&sprefix=rca%2Bsplitter%2B2%2Bmale%2Bto%2B4%2Bmale%2Caps%2C2556&sr=8-10&th=1

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,502 posts
 

Yup. All you need is a headphone amp.

tcotruvo's avatar
tcotruvo OP
179 posts
 

@soix  Yes I’d like some headphone amp recommendations.  My price range would be up to $800.

Any one who cares to chime in with an amp suggestion, please do so!

My setup would be NODE N130 > SMSL M400 > Amp > Sennheiser HD600.

soix
8,729 posts
 

I use a Singxer SA-1 amp with my Hifiman Arya Stealths and it sounds fantastic. It’s a fully-balanced Class-A amp that’s nice as I believe your DAC is also fully balanced, and here’s a nice used one you can get for $398 (a $200 discount). Can’t really go wrong with this one.


https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649999098-sa-1-headphone-class-a-amplifier-pre-amp-excellent-condition/

tcotruvo's avatar
tcotruvo OP
179 posts
 

@soix Thx!  I’m not sure about connectors.  Would I use the balanced out from the DAC to the balanced in on the Singxer?  Right now my powered subs are using the balanced out on my DAC.  Could I instead plug them into the balanced out on the Singxer? (My powered speakers are connected to the RCA out on the DAC.)

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