2. amps-preamps
  3. 1405485744

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

Showing 1 response by zd542

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.
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