Using speaker amp to drive headphones??

Submitted by Mean-Difference-197 t3_10q2978 in headphones

So I have a headphone amp but I’m considering using my speaker amp to drive my headphones too. The reason for which is I’d like to be able to use the tubes in the speaker amp for the sound, and it seems that the headphone amp portion bypasses the tubes so the only way to actually use the tubes in the signal chain would be patch into the speaker posts. I’m considering using something like this Zynsonix box to do it since I know there are considerations about impedance and such: https://www.zynsonix.com/Speaker-Amp-to-Headphone-Converter-Box-Bypass_p_54.html

Have any of you ever done this using this box in particular or another similar solution? What would be any considerations you can offer, or does it seem like a bad idea? Amp I would be using would be a Willsenton R8. Thanks!

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pinkcunt123 t1_j6ngiel wrote

You know that for 485 USD you could just as well get a tube headphone amp, right?

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plumpudding2 t1_j6nhi2v wrote

Lots of people plugging their low sensitivity planars into speaker amps using banana to xlr adapters (any cable maker will be able to make one of these for you). Just gotta be extra careful with the volume as you don't want to blow up your headphones.

https://soundnews.net/headphones/full-size/the-ultimate-hifiman-susvara-review/

this guy recommends driving the Susvara with a speaker amplifier and gives some tips for doing so safely.

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Mean-Difference-197 OP t1_j6njv9m wrote

Replying to pinkcunt123 (#1,665,488)

Yes I know that but I plan on continually upgrading my headphones to the Susvara at some point, and I don’t think something like the Schiit Valhalla would cut it since it only drives 600 mW and even the Feliks Euphoria is under 0.5 W… nowhere near 3 watts or so, so I was thinking this might be an option instead of spending another couple grand just for a high power headphone amp

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ZhanMing057 t1_j6no0ih wrote

No need for a matching box. If you watch your volume, direct wire from the taps is best.

Cheap speaker amps might have a higher noise floor, but the higher end stuff is almost invariably better than high-end headphone amps, being over-engineered to drive harder loads.

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