2. amps-preamps
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Headphone amps with remote volume controls

I realize that this is an uncommon request, but, I want too get back into headphone listening. And my system is across the room from where I sit, and I want to be able to control the volume without getting up. Lazy, yes, but that is me when I relax. I have seen two options thus far, the new McIntosh MHA100 or the Oppo HA-1, $4000 or $1100 respectively. The Oppo would work and fill my needs but I am curious what else is recommended. The front end of my system is a ARC LS26, RP10 table with Linn Linto, Ayre C5xe-mp, and Sonos thru Rega DAC. My hopes are to connect to the Monitor out on the LS26 and use the volume control on the headphone amp. Any suggestion would be appreciated, and I haven't invested in headphones yet, I want to be able to get a good feel from in home demos.

Thanks
Theo
128x128theo
rello
311 posts
 
Could you use the variable out from the LS26 then setting the head amp to some level and managing through the LS26 remote?
zd542
5,339 posts
 
The Oppo looks like a decent choice, but you would be paying for a DAC your don't need. For me, the deciding factor would be whether it digitizes the analog inputs. I'm not sure if it does. You would be giving up the dac in your Ayre and running your records through digital processing. I would pass if that was the case.

If it were me, I would consider using long IC's and just put the headphone amp within reach. Then you could just get whatever you want. Worry about sq and not features.
theo's avatar
theo OP
2,665 posts
 
Rello, I suppose I could do that but then I would have to turn off the amp. Sounds simple but that word "lazy" factors in on this.
ZD542, My understanding is that the HA-1 would be passing the analog in to analog out at the headphone jack. But that is an interesting thought that I should contact Oppo to make sure that I would maintain a analog signal path. As mentioned by using the Monitor outs on the LS26 to the analog in on the HA-1 or what ever headphone amp I get, I would maintain the same quality of signal sent to my amp.
You definitely have a point to ponder and investigate, as I agree I don't want to depart from the analog domain.
I have tried the long IC's and my current Grado RA1 but that was not met with good results. One part being the Grado is not a top notch HP amp and my long IC's are old
bulk AudioQuests that probably don't have a good signal path.
Thank You for your response. I am curious to see if any other suggestions are provided.
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