Adam.M Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 I'm looking at the Ashdown MAG 300 head, but i really need something i can use with headphones too from time to time... So i'm looking at that line out, and thinking can i use that for headphones directly OR going into my Hi-Fi and then into headphones that way? I'm guessing i'd still have to have it hooked up to a cab, even if the volume was on zero... not sure about that, i'm still used to all-valve amp's. I've done something like this before but the sheer wattage power of these amp's scare me a bit It's a shame the Marshall MB is such an eye sore, never seen anything so ugly! it has all the features I'd need but I would have to put a paper bag over it to live with it. -Adam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mottlefeeder Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 [quote name='Adam.M' post='86529' date='Nov 10 2007, 05:02 PM']I'm looking at the Ashdown MAG 300 head, but i really need something i can use with headphones too from time to time... So i'm looking at that line out, and thinking can i use that for headphones directly OR going into my Hi-Fi and then into headphones that way? I'm guessing i'd still have to have it hooked up to a cab, even if the volume was on zero... not sure about that, i'm still used to all-valve amp's. I've done something like this before but the sheer wattage power of these amp's scare me a bit It's a shame the Marshall MB is such an eye sore, never seen anything so ugly! it has all the features I'd need but I would have to put a paper bag over it to live with it. -Adam.[/quote] The general feeling is that you shouldn't run any amp without a speaker attached, although I am not sure why that would affect a transistor output design. Also, the line out will give you a signal, that would suit your hifi, but doesn't give enough current to drive a set of headphones. Your cheapest options are - 1) buy a S/H practice headphone amp - £20-30 2) buy something like a S/H Zoom 708, which will drive headphones and includes a tuner and a drum machine, and 15 zillion effects that you will never use. - £30-40 3) buy a small S/H mixer, like a Behringer 502 or 802, which will drive headpones, and allow you to mix in your CD player etc. - £20-30 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Fitzmaurice Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 Most line drivers provide sufficient voltage to drive phones, but they won't handle a low impedance load. If you can find phones or buds of at least 600 ohms impedance it would be worth a try, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 [quote name='Mottlefeeder' post='86664' date='Nov 10 2007, 09:45 PM']3) buy a small S/H mixer, like a Behringer 502 or 802, which will drive headpones, and allow you to mix in your CD player etc. - £20-30[/quote] and is a useful thing to have anyway... top advice there mottlefeeder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam.M Posted November 11, 2007 Author Share Posted November 11, 2007 [quote name='Mottlefeeder' post='86664' date='Nov 10 2007, 09:45 PM']The general feeling is that you shouldn't run any amp without a speaker attached, although I am not sure why that would affect a transistor output design. Also, the line out will give you a signal, that would suit your hifi, but doesn't give enough current to drive a set of headphones. Your cheapest options are - 1) buy a S/H practice headphone amp - £20-30 2) buy something like a S/H Zoom 708, which will drive headphones and includes a tuner and a drum machine, and 15 zillion effects that you will never use. - £30-40 3) buy a small S/H mixer, like a Behringer 502 or 802, which will drive headpones, and allow you to mix in your CD player etc. - £20-30[/quote] Yeah, I didn't think it would be a good idea running without a speaker, but I've never owned a solid state amp in my life and for some reason always thought you could with a tranny amp. So for now, i could indeed send the line out to my hi-fi, then use the hi-fi's headphone output? a long way around for the job but it gets the job done without spending any more cash. I didnt know mixers were so cheap! the 502 is £25 new, 802 £35-40... i'll have to get one of those sometime soon! I'd buy a headphone amp but i'll be getting one of the new Pod x3's as soon as i can afford it, finally, a line 6 product i actually like... Thanks for the advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbloke Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 You can happily run a transistor amp without a speaker load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Fitzmaurice Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 [quote name='bassbloke' post='86953' date='Nov 11 2007, 12:45 PM']You can happily run a transistor amp without a speaker load.[/quote]As you can any direct coupled SS output. No load= no currrent flow. Transformer coupled output stages, tube or SS, must always have a load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 You could use the line out, but if anything the signal won't be high enough for passive headphones. I've tried it before and it's very weak quiet (through an EB180 and ABM). As stated above, you don't need to have a speaker plugged in for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.