Can I use a DAC with speakers as well as headphones?

[admin_exported]

Hi,

I've just ordered a Headstreamer DAC to connect to my PC and mainly to feed my great Sennheiser phones.

On the PC the 3.5 socket can be used for both speakers and headphones, and I have a reasonable set of 2.1 speakers in my office.

So, my question is, the Headstreamer only mentions connecting to headphones, but will it be ok to hook it up to the speakers as well using the 3.5 socket on the DAC. Or will this break some impedance rule or something?

It's not a problem,I'm mainly looking forward to the improved headphone experience....

Thanks

John

 

[Anonymous]

That's embarrassing!

A quick check reveals my headphones are actually AKG K601s.

There's a good reason for why I thought they were something else, but they arent!

 

[quadpatch]

This will work fine, you will be essentially using the Headstreamer's headphone amp out (which is just a standard 3.5mm - 1/8" jack) as a pre-amp. This should give you a boost in quality for the speakers too so go for it.

Dude those AKG's look nothing like Sennheiser's, how could you do that?! Now go and apologise to them

 

[Anonymous]

Headstreamer has arrived - and I'm at work without my headphones!

But hooked up to the cheap 2.0 speakers on my desk it makes a noticeable difference. Much cleaner sound and especially drums seem sharper (more percussive?), not muffled.

Looking forward to getting home and trying it on more capable speakers and, of course, the headphones (AKG).

The box itself is a great lightweight thing, smaller than I expected. It's smaller than a cigarette packet but bigger than a matchbox!

 

[Anonymous]

So, just WOW!

The Headstreamer combined with the K601s is amazing.

I sat up half the night listening to track after track finding all sorts of stuff I'd never noticed before.

Everything from Amy Winehouse to Beethoven sounds so much better.

Drums are much sharper - more Bang than Woof. Vocals are clearer. Strange quiet instruments appear as individuals.

The only problem is that I think it has spoilt me for anything else.

Now I am I seriously thinking about getting a turntable-phone-headphone amp setup as well!