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 on January 31, 2023 at 4:06 PM

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

Mean-Difference-197 OP t1_j6njv9m wrote on January 31, 2023 at 4:27 PM

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

[deleted] t1_j6nxw5n wrote on January 31, 2023 at 5:52 PM

Check out the xDuoo TA-30 if you want a ton of power. I see another commenter recommended another xDuoo product; I'm very happy with mine.

pinkcunt123 t1_j6no2sp wrote on January 31, 2023 at 4:53 PM

2W should be enough for around 106dB peak with a Susvara, so maybe give this amp a look. It measures surprisingly well for a tube amp, I must say.

TheFrator t1_j6niyeo wrote on January 31, 2023 at 4:21 PM

Save $385 and use the Hifiman HE adapter- https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/he-adapter.html. I use this with my Benchmark AHB2

plumpudding2 t1_j6nhi2v wrote on January 31, 2023 at 4:12 PM

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.

Mean-Difference-197 OP t1_j6njy38 wrote on January 31, 2023 at 4:27 PM

Oh this is great, just what I was looking for! Thanks so much!

ZhanMing057 t1_j6no0ih wrote on January 31, 2023 at 4:53 PM

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.