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EarMax OTL headphone amp as a line stage....

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Posted on October 27, 2014 at 10:55:21
AnalogDog
Audiophile

Posts: 39
Location: SW United States
Joined: March 3, 2014
I'm sure there have been posts about this in the past. But I just have to say. When the linestage of my ancient Quicksilver full function preamp went out (no, not the tubes) I patched my EarMax in line as a yeoman line stage using a dual RCA to phone plug adaptor ($8.00, from Rat Shack). Everything plugged into the QS is now going into the EarMax via the tape outs, so I retain switching capability.
I didn't expect that much, but this little guy works INSANELY great as a linestage! A very slight residual hum, no doubt due to the zipcord that powers the wall wart power supply. Nothing I can do about that. But it is sweeter, cleaner, faster, punchier and more transparent than the already fine line stage in my Quicksilver. A LOT more transparent. The signal is now just being routed thru the QS selector switch, the tape out switch, and the high quality volume pot of the EarMax...that's IT. No doubt that's what I'm hearing...the loss of a LOT of parts in the signal path.
Not ALL headphone amps work as well as the EarMax, when I tried my new Schiit Valhalla, I had to take it out of the line quickly, because it was farting DC into the signal path. But the EarMax behaves impeccably. If you closed your eyes, you'd think you were listening to a very expensive tubed linestage...it is to LAUGH!! :)
AnalogDog
Mozart and Beethoven are giants...who are standing on Haydns shoulders.

 

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The hum, posted on October 27, 2014 at 13:10:41
Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 15703
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005
is more likely due to excessive gain in the headphone amp (for preamp use). This is a common problem.


 

RE: EarMax OTL headphone amp as a line stage...., posted on October 27, 2014 at 16:15:51
PAR
I have one. However I am not quite so enthusiastic and would class its performance as a line stage as pretty good but not more. In the realm of tubed pre-amps it is not a patch on my E.A.R 868 PL (mind you there's a huge price differential)

Can headphone amps work as great pre-amps? Yes. The SPL Phonitor 2 used as a line controller is one of the finest pre-amps I have ever heard. Its specification would indicate that it should or, at least, could be so e.g. distortion is below the limits of the test gear according to the manufacturer. On the other hand facilities are limited for a pre-amp role.

I would love to write a formal review of the Phonitor 2 but there is no headphone amplifier category amongst the AA review templates.

 

Well, that's about par for the course...., posted on October 28, 2014 at 08:00:39
AnalogDog
Audiophile

Posts: 39
Location: SW United States
Joined: March 3, 2014
Sorry, couldn't resist!:) Yah, I'd expect that EAR 868PL to kick the snot outta my little EarMax. Your 'pretty good' rating of the EarMax is spot on. Guess I was just enthusiastic because I didn't expect it to work near this well.
AnalogDog
Mozart and Beethoven are giants...who are standing on Haydns shoulders.

 

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