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Can I hook up a headphone amp to my integrated?

I am interested in getting some nice headphones.  I currently have a Line Magnetic 518i integrated amp.  As far as I know it has 3 line in inputs which now has my cd player in one, my phono preamp in one, with one remaining.  It also has 1 preamp line out.  The amp has no headphone input?  I mostly listen to vinyl (90%), and sometimes cds as well.  I would like to get a nice headphone amp and hook it up to the LM so I can listen while playing records and cds.  Can I do this, and how would I hook it up?  Can I just hook it up to the remaining line in input?  I would appreciate any help I can get on this....I'm a bit confused if this will work, and if not, how can I go about getting a headphone amp working so I can begin to listen to headphones again?  Thank you all!
ekimg

Showing 9 responses by ekimg

ekimg OP
78 posts
 
I don't have a tape out connect.  I only have the three line in and one pre-in?
ekimg OP
78 posts
 

Thanks Al.  Yes, the second statement is correct:  3 line level inputs and 1 pre-input.  I have a Manley Chinook phono preamp, and a Marantz 6005 CD player.  My cables are not unusually long. 

Seems like #3 or #4 above make more sense at least to me.  Do you have a suggestion for a headphone amp or amps that would be a good choice given the LM, Marantz, and Manley?  FWIW I'm using a VPI Prime into the Chinook.

Or, to show my ignorance on these matters, can I get a pre-amp that has a phono out and plug that into my LM's pre-in?  I think I saw something like that on the HeadAmp website? 

ekimg OP
78 posts
 

I recently purchased a pair of Audeze LCD-3 (haven't received them yet).  Yes, I don't want to necessarily use the Marantz's headphone amp, and want to be able to use with the turntable primarily.  I saw this unit, a HeadAmp GS-X, which seems to me to serve as a pre-amp and has a built in headphone amp (both balanced and unbalanced inputs).  It's probably about the same price range that I would spend on a headphone amp by itself, plus then I wouldn't have to use the switchbox (?).  I'm concerned more about the synergy and overall eventual sound vs. the money in general.  I do like the woo audio headphone amp (WA7).  So looks like I could do that one with the decware switchbox.....or just the HeadAmp GS-X and use the LM pre-in and the headphone outs of the HeadAmp?

I really appreciate your time on this very much Al !!

ekimg OP
78 posts
 
Thanks Al. I didn't realize the GS-X was $2800. Saw $699 but that was only for 1/4?  Odd way to advertise. Would you do me a favor?  Can you look at the specs for the Woo Audio WA-2 and WA-22?  Those seem to also be preamps with headphone output and 4 line in inputs and cheaper than HeadAmp. Wondering your thoughts on those.  
ekimg OP
78 posts
 

Thank you Al....you've helped me understand a lot more.  I sent an email to Woo Audio asking their opinion about using LCD-3s with their WA2.  That seems to be a good possibility as long as it is enough.

Someone at work told me I could get a splitter and put on my phono stage output and run one set of interconnects to the integrated amp, and another to a headphone amp.  Sounds like that might work, but not sure how much that might degrade the overall sound?

Thanks again, your explanations have been invaluable in helping me understand the possibilities.

Mike

ekimg OP
78 posts
 
Hi Al…yes that is your number 4 approach.  I will either do that and get a headphone amp that has two inputs; or get one with the pre out and hook it into my amps pre in.  I talked to my LM 518 amp dealer and he didn't see any problem with either approach (he probably liked the pre amp approach a little better and didn't think it would degrade the internal pre amp any).  I mentioned above that I emailed Woo Audio.  They suggested the WA6-SE or WA22 over the WA2, didn't really give a reason.  Suspect it was related to power.  They also said they could add a pre out to either one if I wanted.  So right now I'm leaning toward the WA6-SE with or without the pre.  It has two inputs so I can just use the splitters you suggested above, or add the pre out.  Anyway, thought you might be interested in their response.  Before you responded I was pretty much in the dark on this, and now feel I have a pretty good understanding thanks to your feedback…thank you!

But let me ask….why is it that you can't just hook up a headphone amplifier to the line in inputs on the integrated, like you do a phono amp?  Just curious :)

ekimg OP
78 posts
 
Thanks again.  Woo Audio replied that the WA2 is an OTL and is not good for the LCD-3 but for 200-600 ohm impedance, so that's that.  I'm leaning towards the WA6-SE and will probably have them add a pre-out ($125). Then I can either use that, or just do your approach 4 if I don't like what the preamp does?  

I haven't seen many other headphone amps that offer that flexibility? If you or others know of some I'd love to hear what they are.

Thank you Al…..Mike
ekimg OP
78 posts
 
Well, You've taught me more...which isn't hard :)  I think if I get the WA6-SE I will get without the pre out and use the splitters per your option 4. I don't think I want to mess with the LM preamp and all the possible issues. Yes it's interesting that the preamp models are all OTL. So splitters it is. I may ask Woo about your questions just out of curiosity but not gonna do that. Thanks again for your time and expertise.
ekimg OP
78 posts
 
Well, You've taught me more...which isn't hard :)  I think if I get the WA6-SE I will get without the pre out and use the splitters per your option 4. I don't think I want to mess with the LM preamp and all the possible issues. Yes it's interesting that the preamp models are all OTL. So splitters it is. I may ask Woo about your questions just out of curiosity but not gonna do that. Thanks again for your time and expertise.
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