power amps.

[dumass]

do all power amps have a headphone jack?

 

[tdukex]

The Hafler TA series does.

 

[dumass]

k nice thanks

 

[TexRoadkill]

But it's next to worthless when you have to keep adjusting the dual level knobs between a good headphone level and a speaker level. As I recall using the headphone jack does not cut off the signal to the speakers so it's not suitable for tracking.

 

[tdukex]

That is true, Tex. The way around it is to use a $20 speaker selector routed out of the back. When listening to phones simply Select Speaker "C" which actually has no speakers connected. At least I believe this will work. I just bought a selector and will try it.

 

[dumass]

i was planning on getting a headphone amp....

so what will i have to do to use headphones for tracking?

and where can i get the speaker selector?

 

[tdukex]

I bought a cheapo at RS ($20) that I can select 3 sets of speakers with--haven't hooked it up yet. I currently use a Behringer mixer as a headphone amp, but the Hafler sound is much better.

 

[dumass]

yea i was gonna buy one of those things were u can plug it into the power amp and then it has 4 or 5 different headphone jacks.

how do u hook up the speaker thing?

 

[TexRoadkill]

That is true, Tex. The way around it is to use a $20 speaker selector routed out of the back. When listening to phones simply Select Speaker "C" which actually has no speakers connected. At least I believe this will work. I just bought a selector and will try it.

Does that speaker switcher put a dummy load on the amp? If not you are risking damaging the amp by running it with no speakers attached.

Dumass- You would run some outputs from your mixer or soundcard to the headphone amp. Most have outputs on them so if you had to you could take your main outs and run it to the headphone amp then pass the signal onto your monitors.

 

[Lt. Bob]

Does that speaker switcher put a dummy load on the amp? If not you are risking damaging the amp by running it with no speakers attached.

I really agree with this. I never run an amp without speakers although I have been told by several techs who I consider to be very good, that this really only applies to tube amps. I'm told that solid-state won't be harmed.
Nevertheless, I don't do it.

 

[dumass]

well if i did run it through "c", then i would keep the speakers connected, and have it come out of just the headphones. would this be ok?

 

[tdukex]

Does that speaker switcher put a dummy load on the amp? If not you are risking damaging the amp by running it with no speakers attached.

Thanks for the info Tex and Bob. I'll do some more research before hooking it up.