Question1/30/10- Dear Mr. Apollonio- I'm not able to connect my (standard-size / RCA) stereo headphones (earphones) to my Cambridge Audio C500 Pre-Amp (WITH Phono-Stage)so that I have the option of listening in privacy by shutting off the speakers. The Pre-Amp has NO jack.
Is there any way I can rig up a 'substitute jack' by using any of the output (or input) connectors on the rear panel of the unit, and be able to run the jack-line up front in order to be able to readily access it to plug in ? If this calls for a 'converter' of sorts please -if possible- advise brands to look into and what to expect to pay. Many thanks. DC
AnswerWithout a schematic and a knowledge of the load the headphones are, there is no way for me to say for sure. I would ask the factory for advice on this, they will have the schematics and know the output impedances of their preamp.
If they use a small resistor (or none) in series with the pre-out, you might be OK. If they are putting a 2.2k (or something) like that in series with the pre-out, you are likely out of luck.
How much current output is the preamp capable of? There is a good chance it might be too small to be of much use. You might have to find a headphone amplifier and connect it to the pre-out. As for specific product recommendations, I have none, but you might want to consider purchase of headphones that have a power source, like noise cancelling headphones with gain. Then you might be able to get away with purchase of some adaptors only at your local Radio Shack.
Without specific information (I don't have) about the Cambridge, AND your headphones, there is no definitive answer, just a lot of guessing.
Since Cambridge did not include the headphone jack, they also likely did not include the current capacity to drive headphones either (and that would be my best GUESS). Sorry.
