How do I lower impedance from a headphone output jack to increase volume?

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markfleener

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I know, I need a different computer, the headphone jack being the only audio output I have, am trying to use it without needing to turn up the computer all the way just to get a good signal level at the input of a stereo EQ/limiter (had to turn it up to 100 before I hit 0 point), thinking that perhaps this will do as long as I get the right jacks in place? Just need some validation, is the RCA side the output?...
https://www.amazon.com/MEIRIYFA-Converter-2-Channel-Adjustable-Amplifier/dp/B0BVQLBJ3D

Maybe this would be more appropriate, as what wires I should use is not in question?...
https://www.amazon.com/Impedance-Adapter-Audio-Converter-Output/dp/B0C4HZMX18
 
Last edited:
Mark, forget ALL about "impedance" it rarely matters for audio signals. What you need is an amplifier and this, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-...sdOptOutParam=true&qid=1736270894&sr=8-4&th=1
is just the very chap. Yup, it's a Behringer but I have one and I bet many of the "pros" here have a couple as well but don't admit it!

It has very low noise and plenty of undistorted level and the chips it uses are the same as those used in a far more expensive 'studio grade' headphone amp. BTW if you or anyone else need some very sensitive but still good quality headphones I can recommend the AKG K92s. 32 Ohms and 113dB for 1Vrms input. I am clinically deaf but straight out of my laptop I only need the level set to 50% for plenty loud enough.

Dave.
 
ecc83 said:
Mark, forget ALL about "impedance" it rarely matters for audio signals. What you need is an amplifier and this, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-HA400-Microamp-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B000KIPT30/ref=sr_1_4?adgrpid=1173179804546401&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.eVxoM7eGK88jXJQAVC0w5_ltF-iDDXabxeHS_HSt7WF0gY3pOfoB1dDhZt_F0nrwARnZG1a1JRsVZkhvEk5pmjXg8O8njbMWD3UrCwCPrmtdextOii8V-kuM6hJYdd4NOiaDQ5LJ3PsQ1L6JA_0Abv18cFwMvJ2jOhl5Gcc1ZXB3pcJ3aGfiLpLQSVTZd8jM4g6sxtoULkLRUWxXpe_G9FeYASsNxz0f7cv_kWQC_hg.3drYpG3EJ9RoParOf3dCKgjog6Oh1BnROF-uorHIzz4&dib_tag=se&hvadid=73323936974087&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=69213&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-73323871934818:loc-188&hydadcr=4396_1823923&keywords=behringer+ha400&msclkid=43d8c13c4f721e05fc56a6412b558a49&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1736270894&sr=8-4&th=1
is just the very chap. Yup, it's a Behringer but I have one and I bet many of the "pros" here have a couple as well but don't admit it!

It has very low noise and plenty of undistorted level and the chips it uses are the same as those used in a far more expensive 'studio grade' headphone amp. BTW if you or anyone else need some very sensitive but still good quality headphones I can recommend the AKG K92s. 32 Ohms and 113dB for 1Vrms input. I am clinically deaf but straight out of my laptop I only need the level set to 50% for plenty loud enough.

Dave.
Click to expand...
Actually, impedance matching can be very important, going from a high impedance output to a low impedance input is why I had to turn up the computer all the way to even get the meter up to about 0. Yes, it could probably be done with an amp, didn't think that would cost about the same. Maybe it's a noisier solution? Idk. Thanks!
 
markfleener said:
Actually, impedance matching can be very important, going from a high impedance output to a low impedance input is why I had to turn up the computer all the way to even get the meter up to about 0. Yes, it could probably be done with an amp, didn't think that would cost about the same. Maybe it's a noisier solution? Idk. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Impedance "matching" can be very important for things like digital transfer and video but I cannot think of a single instance when audio devices are matched these days (they were in the early days of telephony, where we got that obscure "600 Ohms" from)

Common parlance talks of "matching the speaker's impedance to the valve amplifier" Not so. What we actually do is use a transformer to present the valves with an "optimum load". That load ensures reasonable power transfer at fairly low distortion, thus the speaker has to be of the right impedance to deliver that load when transformed up. If the speaker is too high an impedance and you drive **** off the amp, very high voltages will be generated endangering valves and possibly OP transformer. Too low a speaker load and excess current is demanded of the valves which can damage them but one hopes a fuse will blow first! But in no way is the speaker's impedance "matched" to the valve's.

One area where impedance 'matters' is of course the input Z of a guitar amplifier. Nominally 1 meg Ohm and if it is much lower you can lose high frequencies since guitar pickups are an inductive source.
People do get a bit sniffy about "the magic Meg" but in truth few would notice a difference of 100%. Passive DI boxes rarely give higher than 120k and have you ever heard anyone complain? One meg became the standard because for other reasons that was what was used in valve stages in radios and the early guitar amps were really just the arse end of a radio!

I'll get me coat.


Dave.
 
What Dave said. Also, you're using the computer's built-in headphone amp and worried about an amp adding noise?
 
ecc83 said:
Ha!Ha! Missed that BSG...
ecc83 said:
Impedance "matching" can be very important for things like digital transfer and video but I cannot think of a single instance when audio devices are matched these days (they were in the early days of telephony, where we got that obscure "600 Ohms" from)

Common parlance talks of "matching the speaker's impedance to the valve amplifier" Not so. What we actually do is use a transformer to present the valves with an "optimum load". That load ensures reasonable power transfer at fairly low distortion, thus the speaker has to be of the right impedance to deliver that load when transformed up. If the speaker is too high an impedance and you drive **** off the amp, very high voltages will be generated endangering valves and possibly OP transformer. Too low a speaker load and excess current is demanded of the valves which can damage them but one hopes a fuse will blow first! But in no way is the speaker's impedance "matched" to the valve's.

One area where impedance 'matters' is of course the input Z of a guitar amplifier. Nominally 1 meg Ohm and if it is much lower you can lose high frequencies since guitar pickups are an inductive source.
People do get a bit sniffy about "the magic Meg" but in truth few would notice a difference of 100%. Passive DI boxes rarely give higher than 120k and have you ever heard anyone complain? One meg became the standard because for other reasons that was what was used in valve stages in radios and the early guitar amps were really just the arse end of a radio!

I'll get me coat.


Dave.
Click to expand...
You cannot think of any situation where impedance matching would be important even while looking at one in the face, Ha!Ha! Miss that BSG. Also, I'm not waiting no 3 months to get a cheap headphone amp. Don't answer my questions anymore. I don't want advice from smug people like you.
Click to expand...
 
markfleener said:
I know, I need a different computer, the headphone jack being the only audio output I have, am trying to use it without needing to turn up the computer all the way just to get a good signal level at the input of a stereo EQ/limiter (had to turn it up to 100 before I hit 0 point), thinking that perhaps this will do as long as I get the right jacks in place? Just need some validation, is the RCA side the output?...
https://www.amazon.com/MEIRIYFA-Converter-2-Channel-Adjustable-Amplifier/dp/B0BVQLBJ3D

Maybe this would be more appropriate, as what wires I should use is not in question?...
https://www.amazon.com/Impedance-Adapter-Audio-Converter-Output/dp/B0C4HZMX18
Click to expand...
Neither of your choices are good ones - a cheap Behringer Headphone amp is - and noise won’t be an issue.
 
Papanate said:
Neither of your choices are good ones - a cheap Behringer Headphone amp is - and noise won’t be an issue.
Click to expand...
Have you tried an HA400 Mr P? They are remarkably good despite the name and the price but then there is little technically challenging in making a decent headphone amplifier. Certainly way better than the $1.00 class D jobbies in most laptops
Note, I said "decent" not audiophool, class A esoterica!

Err.?..I may have read you wrongly in which case, profuse apologies.
Dave.
 
I think Papa agreed with you Dave.

Some years ago, I got an ART Headamp V, which has 5 headphone outputs. It came in handy when you need multiple headphones. Gives me 6 total, one from the interface, 5 on the Headamp.
 
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