Headphone amp connection

I bought a diamond edition ultra linear ..... and it is fabulous with HD800S...... I really think highly of Graham Slee. ..... if you can push it try the Ultra Linear ..... I sure it would drive your headphone beautifully....

Why don't you use the front panel headphone socket ?

The UQ2 has 2 sets of RCAs. If I remember correctly , one is for an analog imput e.g. a CD player and the other is a preamp output. Assuming you have the NAP100 connected to the preamp output I would say that you would have to disconnect it if you wanted to connect a headphone amp.

A separate headphone amp really needs the amp to have an analogue tape loop or source line-out.  The UQ2, being a very compact all-in-one has neither of these, so adding a dedicated headphone amp is not easy. You're left with either the onboard headphone amp (not bad but may not be at its best driving HD600s - try it though and see), or using something like a Can Opener headphone adaptor, which takes a high level signal straight off the speaker outputs.  You might want to first confer with Naim on this just to make sure it's OK to connect the CO to the UQ2 speaker outputs - better safe than sorry.

Why not use the UQ2's digital output to feed a suitable DAC/headphone amplifier. Plenty of options out there inc. Chord Mojo or Hugo2, Sennheiser HDV820, Naim DAC-V1, etc...

You may have to adjust the Qute's settings to enable the Dig Out and/or deal with muting the Qute's speakers when listening via headphones.

I use HD600 with a UQ2 and indeed it's internal amp is not really up to it. It can sound a bit forced if you have replaced the Sennheiser stock lead with something more exotic.

I used to have a Furutec lead on on my HD600 which was great on my old Rega Ear. Into the UQ2 and it was dire. But when swapping the flimsy cheap Sennheiser lead back in, it did improve the situation immensely.

I also toyed with the idea of an external digital headphone amp but ultimately, you may just feel that keeping the UQ down to a single (or with NAP100, a double) unit is more elegant. 

Yes, I forgot to say that a digital DAC/headphone amp was another option here.  Albeit it's a fair bit more costly than using something like a Can Opener type arrangement.

Thanks for the help, looks like I’ve had it with the Graham Slee then. Is there any other advantage if I go the Dac route and any recommendations?

Hi, forgot to mention the Sennheiser’s do work through the headphone jack it’s just I would like to get the best out of them or I have to go back to the Grado 80’s.

HD600 definately need a dedicated HP amp

In your case I would get one with dac inside and use UQ digital out as described above, sound like a great solution

Otherwise sell on HD600 and look for HD58x jubilee these are reviewed as similar sounding, 150 ohm cans which UQ should handle easier.

Thanks, found HD58X on massdrop trouble is it’s in USA and not sure how I would be hit with customs etc.

Ha-ha

Sorry for this

Apart from European citizen need to pay custom tax, delivery schedule is very long wait 

Amazon have a excellent deal on the hifi man he400i at the moment..I'm using a pair into my superuniti and they sound fab....not difficult to drive..reduced from £330 to £180 

Cheers I will check them out although I bought the Sennheiser HD 600 on terrific reviews.

Yes..I almost went for the hd600 also due to glowing reviews..but I had a think about whether the superuniti would have a good enough headphone amp section to drive them....in the end I went for the hifi man he400i....again they were getting mostly glowing reviews with the bonus of being reasonably easy to drive.....I just bought mine used at £240 and now they're available brand new from Amazon @£180  (hifi man UK)....I almost feel like buying another pair....just because that deal is too good to pass up.lol.

prcm50 posted:

Hi, forgot to mention the Sennheiser’s do work through the headphone jack it’s just I would like to get the best out of them or I have to go back to the Grado 80’s.

I don’t see any reason why that is a better outcome frankly.  Okay, so a separate h/p amp is very likely to be better, but we are all happy to spend someone else’s money.  

I say plug ‘em in and just listen to your music.  If you believe they are better than the Grados they still will be better after all.  Grados have their own character as I’m sure the HD600’s do - maybe enjoy having the option depending on what you are listening to.

If at some point you want to spend more money then the digital route might be an option to explore, but when you’re ready, and it might benefit both pairs by the way...

I do agree with what you say, I just wanted to get the best sound I could from them. But I must say it's not easy to connect a headphone amp. I must say after a few checks I am interested in trying the HiFi man he400i’s they do look good value and easier to drive.

FWIW, when I first auditioned 650s versus 558s or 598s (I forget which) straight out of my laptop, they both sounded good, and much the same.  When I added a modest USB amp (Headroom Total Bithead) the superiority and added value of the 650s were obvious.  If you like the 650s, they are a good investment, IMV.

I enjoyed my 650s for many years before I traded them for AKG 701s, for a bit more crispness for my aging ears.  Grados have always been too shrill for my senses, but I accept they are very good and thoughtfully-created products, suiting many people very well.

Nick

Hi folks thanks for all the input most welcome but I have another option now. I have the chance of a SuperUniti to replace my Qute 2 + Nap 100 is it possible to connect a headphone amp through the sub out as it looks like that’s the only audio out.

The SU does have a DIN pre-out as well as the RCA sub-out, but unfortunately for you, they are both post-volume control, so not ideal for you. The regular Uniti or Uniti 2 has an RCA line out, which would be more suitable. Alternatively, use the digital out to connect to something like a Chord DAC/Headphone amp such as Mojo or Hugo.

Thanks, could you not turn speakers off in menu and then use the sub phono’s. I have also been told you can get pass through headphone amps? Don’t know how good these would be though? Alternatively I also have the chance of a Unity 2 but thought the SuperUniti would would be a better amp.

Yes, the U2 is a little less powerful that the SU, and has a CD player that you presumably don't need. I just mentioned it because it gives you the headphone amp option. How either of these would compare to your existing setup would, I guess, be subjective, and also dependent on how hard your speakers are to drive.

If you mute the sound to the speakers, you will mute the sub-out too (you wouldn't listen to a sub without the main speakers playing!) The same would apply to the DIN pre-out. 

Ok, decision made, Qute2 + Nap 100 + Graham Slee Solo Linear with pass through fitted in place of the second headphone sockets.

Thanks again for everyone’s help, what a great forum.