iMac to poweramp

[SlowRider]

Hi

I have a decent poweramp and speakers, but no preamp. Can I just take the headphone output from the iMac and feed into the poweramp?

Dont usually listen to anything other than my iMac, so dont need to be able to switch sources.

Many thanks
SR

[benz0]

yes, but you will have to be careful with levels. if you aren't careful you could easily send way too loud a signal to the poweramp and blow up your speakers. maybe get some form of interface in between the two with an additional volume control.

[nyt]

Something like this would give you better quality but a straight headphone socket connection should be fine (but turn the volume down as the previous poster advises)


https://www.richersounds.com/hi-fi/dacs/cambridge-...

https://www.richersounds.com/hi-fi/dacs/cambridge-...

[Crackie]

SlowRider said:

Hi

I have a decent poweramp and speakers, but no preamp. Can I just take the headphone output from the iMac and feed into the poweramp?

Dont usually listen to anything other than my iMac, so dont need to be able to switch sources.

Many thanks
SR

Do you know the input sensitivity of your power amp i.e how many volts are needed at the power amp's input to give full output. The iMac's max output is 1.4v https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT204392

If you have this info then you'll know whether you have a potential problem. The Rotel power amps I use give full output with 1.0v in. Leema's Hydra 2 amp apparently needs 1.4v before input satuaration / overload.