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Preamp / Amp / Headphone Amp Conundrum [A Newbie in the Midst]

Hi everyone,

This is my first time posting, but I've lurked on these forums (and many others) in terms of research and getting information on creating a TT setup for awhile. I'm pretty set on the setup below (speakers are TBD), but my main question is given that my preamp doesn't have a line out or tape out and my main amp doesn't have that either what would the workaround be if I were to integrate a headphone amp individually?

I know this isn't ideal as I could find a phono preamp with a headphone integrated or within a power amp that is integrated as well, but call me stubborn because I really am dead set on this. I guess my main question is: how do I incorporate a headphone amp in this setup - if it's not possible then let me know and I can reassess my preamp decision.I live in a small apartment so the headphone amp would be used whenever my GF isn't interested in using the near-field speakers.

Details:
Music Hall MMF 7.3 TT (Ortofon 2M Bronze)
Puffin Phono DSP Preamp
Yaqin MC-13S (Integrated Amp, Used Power Amp)

If there are compatibility issues with impedance here that I'm not seeing than please jump in! This is the first time I'm setting up my own system but I believe I've matched it correctly, so any call outs are welcome. As for my main question, I'm guessing the only way through is to chain the Puffin > Headphone amp > Yaqin

Thanks for the insights (go easy on me :) ),
MA
massiveattk
8 responses Add your response
mesch
3,394 posts
 
May be possible to use a RCA splitter to connect the Yaqin amp and headphone amp to the preamp output. 

 I would only turn one amp one at same time. As a further precaution, when using one amp and wish to use the other turn the used amp off, wait a few moments prior to turning other amp on. 

Hopefully other will respond regarding my suggestion.
massiveattk OP
3 posts
 
Yea, that was my only other guess but I wasn't sure if it was viable since I've really never encountered an example when searching for an answer
massiveattk OP
3 posts
 
Welp, no one else has chimed in so I'm guessing mesch's suggestion looks to be a viable option . Thanks, mesch!
Post removed 
mesch
3,394 posts
 
You are welcome. Audio Advisor sells a quality splitter that is not expensive. 
big_greg
6,554 posts
 
I may be missing something here, but I don't understand why you need a splitter. 

Here's the way a headphone amp typically works.  You connect a source(s) to it, in this case your turntable / Puffin.  Some headphone amps have more than one input, so you can connect another source.  The headphone amp has an output and you run that to one of the inputs on your integrated.  You're basically sticking the headphone amp in between your source and the preamp or amp. 

Most headphone amps have a fixed output, so when you're not using the headphones you are controlling the volume of your speakers with the volume control on your preamp or integrated amp.  The volume control on the headphone amp only controls the volume of the headphones.

You don't need a line out or tape out on the preamp / integrated.

Some preamps and integrateds have built in headphone amps, but until you move quite a bit up the price scale from where you're at now, they are basically an afterthought and a standalone headphone amp will be better.

In your case the setup would look just as you described: 

Turntable -> Puffin -> Headphone Amp -> Integrated amp.
mesch
3,394 posts
 
Big_Greg is right provided the headphone amp is configured as described, many are. Some are designed such that the output is variable so the headphone amp can be used as a preamp. 

Using a splitter keeps headphone amp out of the signal path when using integrated. 
massiveattk OP
3 posts
 
Thanks Greg and mesch, I wasn't sure if I could pass through the headphones amp between the two but as mesch said the splitter just moved it out of the integrated signal path. I can always test to see if I can hear perceivable differences between each. 
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