Can I hook up a headphone amp to my integrated?

Someone at work told me I could get a splitter and put on my phono stage output and run one set of interconnects to the integrated amp, and another to a headphone amp. Sounds like that might work, but not sure how much that might degrade the overall sound?

Yes, Mike, that was my approach no. 4, with splitters on the outputs of both the CD player and the phono stage. Given that both of those components have low output impedances, and given that both your integrated amp and the WA2 have very high input impedances, and given that the lengths of the cables that would be involved are not unusually long, I suspect it won’t degrade the sound at all.

My belief has long been that the bad rap splitters and y-adapters sometimes seem to get is not due to the splitters or y-adapters themselves, but in most cases to impedance issues and cable driving issues. In other words, to the inability of the component whose output is being split to drive both sets of cables and both destination components with good results. Neither of those factors will be a problem in this case.

Also, I would recommend this particular splitter.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

Hi Al…yes that is your number 4 approach.  I will either do that and get a headphone amp that has two inputs; or get one with the pre out and hook it into my amps pre in.  I talked to my LM 518 amp dealer and he didn't see any problem with either approach (he probably liked the pre amp approach a little better and didn't think it would degrade the internal pre amp any).  I mentioned above that I emailed Woo Audio.  They suggested the WA6-SE or WA22 over the WA2, didn't really give a reason.  Suspect it was related to power.  They also said they could add a pre out to either one if I wanted.  So right now I'm leaning toward the WA6-SE with or without the pre.  It has two inputs so I can just use the splitters you suggested above, or add the pre out.  Anyway, thought you might be interested in their response.  Before you responded I was pretty much in the dark on this, and now feel I have a pretty good understanding thanks to your feedback…thank you!

But let me ask….why is it that you can't just hook up a headphone amplifier to the line in inputs on the integrated, like you do a phono amp?  Just curious :)

But let me ask….why is it that you can't just hook up a headphone amplifier to the line in inputs on the integrated, like you do a phono amp?  Just curious :)

Inputs receive signals; outputs provide signals.  If you connect two inputs together neither input will receive anything.  In the case of the phono preamp, you are connecting its output to an input of the integrated amp.

I'll take a look at the WA6-SE later today, and provide any comments I may have.

Regards,
-- Al

Hi Mike,

The WA6-SE looks like a fine choice in all respects, as far as I can see, aside from the possible slight inconvenience of having the input select switch on the rear rather than on the front. And based on the specs power would not be a concern at all using it with the LCD-3.

Given the moderate 110 ohm impedance of the LCD-3, by the way, it would probably be worthwhile to try connecting the headphone to both the high impedance and low impedance outputs of the WA6-SE, if you purchase it, and use whichever output sounds best.

And as I said with respect to the WA2, using approach no. 4 (splitters on the outputs of both source components, connected to both the integrated amp and the headphone amp) should work fine with the WA6-SE.

Regards,
-- Al

Thanks again.  Woo Audio replied that the WA2 is an OTL and is not good for the LCD-3 but for 200-600 ohm impedance, so that's that.  I'm leaning towards the WA6-SE and will probably have them add a pre-out ($125). Then I can either use that, or just do your approach 4 if I don't like what the preamp does?  

I haven't seen many other headphone amps that offer that flexibility? If you or others know of some I'd love to hear what they are.

Thank you Al…..Mike