Help: I'm surprised I can't find what I want....

[trevor_bartram]

With the hundreds of Chinese devices presently available, many of excellent quality, you'd thing I'd be able to find a headphone-amp/preamp with remote? Here's what I need: at least two single ended inputs, a good quality headphone amp (occasional use only), volume control, single ended outputs, low gain (not passive) & a remote control with: input selection, speaker or headphone output (or automatic sensing of headphones), volume & mute (essential). Input selection, volume & mute indicators would be nice but not essential. Thanks in advance!

 

[staticV3]

One option would be the Topping A70 Pro/A90 Discrete coupled with the Ext90.

Not cheap for what you need honestly, and QC is somewhat dubious, it's just that multiple RCA inputs are really rare in this class of device.

 

[trevor_bartram]

One option would be the Topping A70 Pro/A90 Discrete coupled with the Ext90.

Not cheap for what you need honestly, and QC is somewhat dubious, it's just that multiple RCA inputs are really rare in this class of device.

Thanks, the A70 Pro only has one set of single-ended inputs & is extremely expensive, any other suggestions?

Hint: I'm pulling an Adcom amp out of retirement as a backup to my main amp, it has no headphone socket.

 

[Timcognito]

Loxjie A40 all in one amp 2024

Loxjie A40 https://www.loxjie-audio.com/productshow.asp?id=161 I can't find any review about this amp, not even audiophonics in france has one It's an all in one amp with hdmi (arc),bt,dac (total 7 inputs) and rated up to 2x165 watt with a built in power supply, for only 210 euros on...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[tmtomh]

Loxjie A40 all in one amp 2024

Loxjie A40 https://www.loxjie-audio.com/productshow.asp?id=161 I can't find any review about this amp, not even audiophonics in france has one It's an all in one amp with hdmi (arc),bt,dac (total 7 inputs) and rated up to 2x165 watt with a built in power supply, for only 210 euros on...

www.audiosciencereview.com

That's an interesting choice, though I'm not sure it meets the OP's needs because they seem to want a preamp they can feed into their Adcom power amp, and I don't see any pre-out or line-out jacks on that Loxjie A40 - only speaker terminals.

Also, it does have two single-ended inputs but one of them is a phono input, so whether this unit has the multiple inputs the OP wants depends on whether one of the OP's source devices is a turntable.

 

[JustJones]

Sounds like you want a preamp.

Rotel RC-1572 MKII (Black)

Stereo preamplifier with built-in DAC and Bluetooth®

www.crutchfield.com

Benchmark HPA4 Headphone / Line Amplifier

The HPA4 is currently shipping from stock. Overview The Ultimate Headphone Amplifier Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. and THX, Ltd. have partnered to introduce the Benchmark HPA4 headphone/line amplifier featuring THX Achromatic Audio Amplifier (AAA™) technology. THX AAA™ reduces harmonic...

benchmarkmedia.com

 

[somebodyelse]

Sounds like you want a preamp.

Rotel RC-1572 MKII (Black)

Stereo preamplifier with built-in DAC and Bluetooth®

www.crutchfield.com

Benchmark HPA4 Headphone / Line Amplifier

The HPA4 is currently shipping from stock. Overview The Ultimate Headphone Amplifier Benchmark Media Systems, Inc. and THX, Ltd. have partnered to introduce the Benchmark HPA4 headphone/line amplifier featuring THX Achromatic Audio Amplifier (AAA™) technology. THX AAA™ reduces harmonic...

benchmarkmedia.com

Blowing right past the implicit budget from the OP saying the Topping A70 Pro was extremely expensive, plus it doesn't look like the Rotel has a headphone amp.

 

[trevor_bartram]

I can fit a headphone socket to the Adcom power amp. If I simplify the requirement to a preamp with remote control & above features, does that make it any easier?

 

[staticV3]

Thanks, the A70 Pro only has one set of single-ended inputs

Hence the Ext90

 

[Joe Smith]

New Schiit Saga S worth a look? Multiple inputs, remote, excellent volume control, 3 level gain (passive does not work with headphones), headphone jack. $279 + shipping.

I'm using mine currently as a headphone amp desktop while I'm waiting on a Schiit amp to pair with it in a speaker-based setup.

 

[JeremyFife]

Does it have to have single ended connections? The Topping L70 is a long way to what the OP is looking for (don't know enough about the remote functionality).
Would cabling be enough to convert to single ended?

 

[Sokel]

Would cabling be enough to convert to single ended?

To go balanced>unbalanced?
No.

 

[Sokel]

Also,I would be cautious about all that crap going around Ali,cause...

Now I've heard it all

We have all seen lots of gear with noises of their own,right? Like transformers,etc. But have you ever heard a potentiometer singing? I mean this thing has a low level vrrrr noise which is constant and does not change with rotating it. To be more specific,nephew never listens to the uncle so...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Imagine what would happened to the poor kid if I've hadn't measure it,such enormous DC output can cause mayhem.

 

[SimpleTheater]

With the hundreds of Chinese devices presently available, many of excellent quality, you'd thing I'd be able to find a headphone-amp/preamp with remote? Here's what I need: at least two single ended inputs, a good quality headphone amp (occasional use only), volume control, single ended outputs, low gain (not passive) & a remote control with: input selection, speaker or headphone output (or automatic sensing of headphones), volume & mute (essential). Input selection, volume & mute indicators would be nice but not essential. Thanks in advance!

Cheap its not, but the KECES S4 Stereo Preamplifier

 

[trevor_bartram]

Hence the Ext90

Ah ha, but I need single-ended RCA line ins & out.

 

[somebodyelse]

Hence the Ext90

Or a correctly wired RCA to XLR cable if 2 inputs is sufficient, although it seems it's over budget anyway.

 

[somebodyelse]

Schiit Kara seems to meet requirements, but probably a little over budget.

 

[JustJones]

Blowing right past the implicit budget from the OP saying the Topping A70 Pro was extremely expensive, plus it doesn't look like the Rotel has a headphone amp.

Outputs
RCA Outputs	2
XLR Outputs	2
Optical Digital Outputs	0
Coaxial Digital Outputs	0
Digital XLR Outputs	0
Subwoofer Outputs	2
Discrete Sub Outs	No
Headphone Output	3.5mm

 

[MAB]

Ah ha, but I need single-ended RCA line ins & out.

How about a classic Adcom preamp with remote to match your poweramp.
I see GTP-500 for close to $100 on the Bay and local auctions.
Unfortunately, the recent crop if high SINAD devices often lack realistic I/O capability, main-out muting. Adcom even have a tuner.

 

[trevor_bartram]

New Schiit Saga S worth a look? Multiple inputs, remote, excellent volume control, 3 level gain (passive does not work with headphones), headphone jack. $279 + shipping.

I'm using mine currently as a headphone amp desktop while I'm waiting on a Schiit amp to pair with it in a speaker-based setup.

I looked at Schiit before (I have a Modi 3) but at those prices I can buy a NAD C-316BEE V2 as a backup to my C-340 & be done with it.