Looking for a Phono Pre/Headphone Amp?

[cpd]

I currently have a Pro-Ject Phonobox S running to a line level input on my Denon AVR 2805. The problem is that oftentimes my better half will want to watch something on TV while I would prefer to listen to music.

I have been looking for a phono pre-amp with a built in headphone amplifier or a headphone amp with a phono input and line level outs. I figure that way if she is watching something and using the speakers, I could listen to music on my headphones. I'm not sure if I'm looking in the wrong place or at the wrong products, but I am finding very little, and nothing with the ability to operate by remote.

Any suggestions?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

I’d look on ebay for a vintage stereo pre-amp from the 80s or 90s. Pick your favorite brand name, virtually every major manufacturer made some, and virtually all were remote controlled and had phono pre amps and headphone jacks.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[cpd]

Thanks for the response. This may be a stupid question. I thought about using a new pre-amp (but like the idea of a vintage one better). Will running the signal through two full-fledged pre-amps affect anything (two layers of processing etc.)? Maybe I'm doing the same thing with the phono pre-amp already?

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks for the response. This may be a stupid question. I thought about using a new pre-amp (but like the idea of a vintage one better). Will running the signal through two full-fledged pre-amps affect anything (two layers of processing etc.)? Maybe I'm doing the same thing with the phono pre-amp already?

Yes you are.

 

[TLS Guy]

Here are a couple that will do what you want.

First.



Second.

 

[cpd]

Thanks TLS. I've seen those. I'd prefer something with a remote (and to keep it under $400).

Another query, in my brief search for stereo preamps last night on ebay their were few options that had remotes, headphone jacks, and phono inputs. There were plenty with headphone jacks and remotes (no phono stage). Do you see any issue with me running the TT to the Phono Box phono pre, run that into a line level input on a stereo preamp, then run the line out on that preamp to a second line level input on my Denon AVR 2805?

Or is there an alternate way to accomplish this downstream with my AVR or a new AVR (I have been wanting to upgrade that component anyway). Can I use my zone 2 (or the zone 2 on a different AVR) to output to a headphone amp or integrated amp and use that to power my headphones, while my wife still can enjoy all 5 channels?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

You can send the Phono Box pre RCA outputs straight to a line-level input on the Denon. No reason to insert the other pre-amp in between, but I guess you want to do it for the dedicated headphone output? Yes, you’d be able to listen to records via headphones while the wife listens to something else. However, by the time you add the price of the Phono Box and the stereo pre amp, it should be cheaper to find a vintage pre amp with all the features you need.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[cpd]

I already own the Phono Box and it does run to a line level on the Denon. That's how I am currently listening with headphones or over the speakers. So the goal is so she can watch TV in 5.1 while I listen on my headphones to vinyl. I'll likely just keep hunting until I can find a stereo pre amp with a phono stage and remote to replace the Phono Box.

As always, thanks to all for the help!

 

[cpd]

I have a small Denon UD-M30 mini system in my office. The other day I looked on the back and saw that it had preouts. So I brought it home tonight and hooked my phono preamp into a line level in on the UD-M30 and the pre-outs on the UD-M30 to my main Denon AVR. Worked great except for one small curiosity probably growing from the fact that I've never run anything as a preamp. When I connected my headphones to the UD-M30 it still sent the signal via the pre-outs to my Denon AVR so if the AVR was on and set to the correct input the music played in my headphones and over my speakers. Not a big deal, since the AVR can be set to another input so my wife can watch TV using the AVR while I listen to music on my headphones using the UD-M30.

But is that how all stereo pre-amps will function? For some reason I just assumed that when I plugged the headphones in the UD-M30 would stop sending a signal to the AVR.