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RE: Sure, headphone output jacks can be used as a "preamp out"...

Posted by Caucasian Blackplate (P) on December 21, 2013 at 21:37:12

In Reply to: Sure, headphone output jacks can be used as a "preamp out"... posted by genungo on December 21, 2013 at 11:11:05:

"However, headphone amps will often have much higher output impedance ratings than real, dedicated preamps do. It is almost always better when the output impedance rating of your "preamp" is very much lower than the input impedance rating of your power amp (a ratio of 10 to 1 or higher would be good). If this ratio of output impedance to input impedance is too low, dynamics and/or flat frequency response can become compromised."

You generally have that backwards. It's incredibly rare to see a power amp with an input impedance lower than 10K, while 16 Ohm headphones are very common. (So your headphone amp "should" have a 2 Ohm output impedance and your preamp will be OK with a 1K output impedance)

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