Headphone Amp/Preamp - Want to Leave Headphones Plugged In

[sherm137]

Hey ASR,

I'm looking for a headphone amp/preamp combo that lets me switch between my powered speakers and headphones. I have a JDS Labs Atom right now, but I have to unplug the headphones any time I want to use the speakers and would like to skip that step if possible.

Are there many headphone amp/preamp units that have a switcher for my needs? Any recommendations?

 

[bahamot]

Topping L30 or Topping A90 can do that. I am sure there are others too.

 

[Jimbob54]

SMSL M500 allows switching

EDIT- yup, sorry, referred you to a DAC/headamp, not a head/pre amp. Sorry

 

[sherm137]

Topping L30 or Topping A90 can do that. I am sure there are others too.

L30 seems like a hard one to beat for the price-to-performance ratio. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[sherm137]

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like the L30 will be in stock soon.

I don't need another DAC so would like to skip paying for an amp/DAC combo if possible.

So any other recommendations would be welcomed.

 

[Jimbob54]

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like the L30 will be in stock soon.

I don't need another DAC so would like to skip paying for an amp/DAC combo if possible.

So any other recommendations would be welcomed.

Just edited my response as realised that. sorry

 

[Bob-23]

a switcher

Why not hook both the headphones and the speakers up to headphone-out via any AB-switcher/switch box?

 

[Berwhale]

Why not hook both the headphones and the speakers up to headphone-out via any AB-switcher/switch box?

Possibly because you still want to use the pre-amp fucntionality of the HP amp, i.e. rotary volume control, when using speakers. This is how I use my system, the PC, DAC and Monitor volumes are all fixed and I use the Atom to control both HP and speaker volume.

 

[Swtoby]

The JDS Labs EL Amp II.

 

[Bob-23]

Possibly because you still want to use the pre-amp fucntionality of the HP amp, i.e. rotary volume control, when using speakers. This is how I use my system, the PC, DAC and Monitor volumes are all fixed and I use the Atom to control both HP and speaker volume.

Headphone-out is controlled by the vol pot, isn't it?

 

[Berwhale]

Headphone-out is controlled by the vol pot, isn't it?

Yes, it is on the Atom. I actually misread your post and thought you were suggesting a switcher before the amp which would have precluded use of the Atom volume with speakers.

I guess it would be pretty easy to add a DPDT switch to the Atom to flip between headphones and pre-out like on the L30/A90.

 

[Bob-23]

add a DPDT

Exactly, a 'Double-Pole-Double-Throw' in a little box, would do it (with relays would be a somehow better option - but that's not necessary) - maybe Op knows somebody with a soldering iron. It's an easy project.

 

[Berwhale]

Exactly, a 'Double-Pole-Double-Throw' in a little box, would do it (with relays would be a somehow better option - but that's not necessary) - maybe Op knows somebody with a soldering iron. It's an easy project.

I was thinking more along the lines of drilling a hole in the front of the Atom above 'Atom Amp' and wiring up a panel mounted DPDT toggle so you could use the existing pre-outs on the back of the Atom. There's plenty of space inside the case for this. Now I just need to source a PCB mounted latched DPDT push switch to match the Gain and Input switches...