Headphone amps and preamps

[amey01]

I was just wondering if anyone can explain the technical difference between headphone amplifiers and preamps - I have recently read many articles / reviews that say headphone amplifiers can also be used as high-quality preamps.

I would have thought headphone amplifiers have different electrical characteristics to make them more suitable for driving lower impedance loads like headphones - sure this would compromise the sound somewhat?

 

[Joey_V]

I had a HeadAmp GS-1 Class A headphone preamp that I was able to double as a preamp. This was back in the day and I used to think that running it as a preamp instead of through the Rotel RC1070 pre sounded better... but I didnt understand why (now, I think it's because the HeadAmp has better components and design than the mass market RC1070).

www.headamp.com

Anyway, I cant give you the technical side of things... but you may as well ask Justin of headamp to give you an explanation seeing as he is the builder.

Joey

 

[slowGEEZR]

I was just wondering if anyone can explain the technical difference between headphone amplifiers and preamps - I have recently read many articles / reviews that say headphone amplifiers can also be used as high-quality preamps.

I would have thought headphone amplifiers have different electrical characteristics to make them more suitable for driving lower impedance loads like headphones - sure this would compromise the sound somewhat?

Check out this site, http://wooaudio.com/products/
they have the woo 3 and the 3+. One can be used as a preamp and a headphone amp, while the 3+ has been modified so as to not be used as a preamp. They claim it sounds better as a headphone amp. They explain the differences. Hope this helps. - Steve
PS. I'm lusting over their headphone amps, but I really don't need another one.