Headphone Amp advise needed.

gdphoto

I am looking for a headphone amp to use with my existing preamp. Currently using a Hafler DH110, which has been re-capped, so I do not want to eliminate it. I was looking at the Schiit Vali 2+. I am not sure how it should be hooked up. I do not want to plug my TT directly into it, so how would I do the hookup? The headphone jack on my Hafler sounds fine, but I am looking for more volume. My headphones are the AKG Q701’s which are 62 ohms. Will the Vali 2+ work? I like the idea that it is a tube amp. Does anyone recommend a headphones only amp with 1/4 “ banana jack that I could plug into my Haflers Headphone jack and then plug the headphones into the headphone amp?

Clipdat

gdphoto wrote: »

Does anyone recommend a headphones only amp with 1/4 “ banana jack that I could plug into my Haflers Headphone jack and then plug the headphones into the headphone amp?

Do not do this.

Clipdat

gdphoto wrote: »

I am not sure how it should be hooked up.

Use one of the preamp's RCA outputs into the headphone amp's input. I think you are really overthinking this.

gdphoto

Could you explain why I shouldn't do this?

Clipdat

Because that's not how you hook up a headphone amp.

Clipdat

Edit: I'm dumb

gdphoto

I am still a bit confused. If I hook it up to the AUX or Tape Out and I want to listen to my TT it will work? The selector switch will be set on Phono and not the others. Sorry! I never had to do this before.

Clipdat

Actually, I'm stupid. What you want for this use case is a fixed line level output that is not behind the master volume control, because you want the full un-attenuated signal going to the headphone amp, since the headphone amp has it's own volume control.

Here's a link to the manual you can see the output options and which one would work: https://www.manualslib.com/products/Hafler-Dh-110-227426.html

gdphoto

Ah! I never thought of that. It would be like I have 2 TT's hooked up. I would just switch over when I want to use the headphones. I didn't see your detailed post before I sent my last one.Thanks!

Clipdat

Ideally the tape out or effects loop out would be a fixed level, not behind the master volume control attenuation.

Maybe someone else can chime in here. I'm going for a walk now.

gdphoto

It sounds like Tape Out would be the easiest hook up. Does anyone have a recamendation on a headphone amp? I see there are some tube types that are reasonable. Would a tube amp sound better than solid state. Or, it doesn't matter because my Hafler is solid state.

Clipdat

Budget?

gdphoto

I won't use it often, so I would like to stay in the $150 range.

gdphoto

If tubes don't matter, I found this on amazon For $79. Schiit Magni 3 Headphone Amp and Preamp. However, if tubes make a positive difference I'll spend more. I have no experience with tube amps.

gdphoto

By the way, I never would have thought about the Tape out option.

Clipdat

I think the small formfactor Schiit headphone amplifiers are well-liked, but I only have experience with their Asgard 2 headphone amp.

Since you are still shopping, take a look at Toppings offerings as well, they are really nailing the price to performance ratio: https://www.amazon.com/Topping-L30-Headphone-Amplifier-Preamplifier/dp/B08DXRQ4R7

Gardenstater

I don't know anything about this one but I know I am impressed with everything I have purchased from iFi: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08DL99B5V/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=themasswi0f-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B08DL99B5V&linkId=5fe85b834a4078ac347660219a5b565a

gdphoto

Still not sure about the tube amps. Do they sound better?

Irrenhaus

Check this one. It puts out 2.2W at 62ohms and Toppings get good reviews.

https://drop.com/buy/topping-a50-headphone-amp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dVw-iRT1yg

I have the Schiit Jotunheim and I love it.

Cheers

george daniel

I got lucky and have a Singlepower PTP wired tubed headphone amp,, short of a dedicated head amp, the audible illusions L 1 pre has a killer headphone section.Just my .02 Good luck

gdphoto

I ordered the Schiit Hersey. I'll let you all know how I like it. Thanks for all of the great input!

EndersShadow

Try the “Can Opener”....

It taps into your existing speaker outputs....

https://vinylflat.com/canopener.html

ALL212

Similar in function to the CanOpener. I've used this on my Bottlehead Stereomour modified to use 45 tubes. That amp wasn't designed to work with headphones and has just a smidge of hum when you do so but it's hard to find a cheaper adapter!