Headphones options with Vibelink / Ultra

[Babbers999]

I've just bought a Vibelink to go with my Ultra and I assumed there would be somewhere to plug in my wired headphones, but there isn't! What's my best option for headphone listening - just attach to the Ultra? How is the sound quality from the Ultra compared to listening on headphones attached to a dedicated amp? Thanks!

 

[Mr Ee]

I've just bought a Vibelink to go with my Ultra and I assumed there would be somewhere to plug in my wired headphones, but there isn't! What's my best option for headphone listening - just attach to the Ultra? How is the sound quality from the Ultra compared to listening on headphones attached to a dedicated amp? Thanks!

Welcome.

As ever, opinions will differ!
imo the Ultra headphone is pretty good for an all in one device, but is fairly easily bettered by a headphone dac/amp.
I use optical to vibelink and usb to headphone dac/amp.
Works well as, after initial setup, simply turning on the usb hp amp makes the ultra switch to usb out, and turning it off makes the ultra switch back to optical out.

If you do use the Ultra headphone socket then make sure you check / set the volume before you put the 'phones on!

 

[Babbers999]

Thanks for the reply. I'll look into headphones amps next.

 

[QuarryHunslet]

Thanks for the reply. I'll look into headphones amps next.

But you really should check out the Ultra headphone socket first before spending any more money.

 

[Babbers999]

But you really should check out the Ultra headphone socket first before spending any more money.

Ok - do you think the Ultra is good for headphones without an amp?

 

[Mr Ee]

I think the suggestion is to try it and see if you're happy.

 

[Steve Woodhouse]

Thanks for the reply. I'll look into headphones amps next.

I use my Ultra's analogue outs to my speaker amp, and digital out to my DAC/headphone amp. Works a treat.

If you have your Ultra connected to the Vibe digitally, use the analogue outs to a vanilla headphone amp - no DAC required.

 

[QuarryHunslet]

Ok - do you think the Ultra is good for headphones without an amp?

I have never felt the need for a separate headphone amp.

 

[cristoo]

Hi,

I have question related to this discussion if I may step in.

In scenario when external headphone amp is used how RoomFit is handled ? I am asking coz RF is system wide (as far as I know, it works independently to chosen output) and I understand it is switched off only when using Ultra headphone output/sockets by default. But when other external output is used (in that case to headphone amp, USB for example) than RF is on and have to be switched off manually every time one wants to use headphones ? Or it works differently and I am simply mistaken.
If anyone can share how it works ?

Thanks

 

[Wiimer]

Hi,

I have question related to this discussion if I may step in.

In scenario when external headphone amp is used how RoomFit is handled ? I am asking coz RF is system wide (as far as I know, it works independently to chosen output) and I understand it is switched off only when using Ultra headphone output/sockets by default. But when other external output is used (in that case to headphone amp, USB for example) than RF is on and have to be switched off manually every time one wants to use headphones ? Or it works differently and I am simply mistaken.
If anyone can share how it works ?

Thanks

Currently, RoomFit is only automatically switched off for the headphone output. If other outputs are used, it must be switched off manually.

 

[Mr Ee]

Probably best to use preset for switching.

 

[cristoo]

Currently, RoomFit is only automatically switched off for the headphone output. If other outputs are used, it must be switched off manually.

Thanks, I thought so. If so, it is pretty inconvenient if sb uses both regular speakers and headphones, and wants to use different amps for speaker and headphones. The easiest way is to use headphone output of Ultra but I have heard it is mediocre, although I haven’t use it yet by myself.

But I am considering buying headphones so that’s the reason I am asking. Again thanks for clarification.

 

[QuarryHunslet]

The easiest way is to use headphone output of Ultra but I have heard it is mediocre, although I haven’t use it yet by myself.

You may have heard that it is mediocre, but you shouldn't dismiss it without actually listening to it yourself.

 

[Steve Woodhouse]

Currently, RoomFit is only automatically switched off for the headphone output. If other outputs are used, it must be switched off manually.

I have smart presets for that, not just turning room correction off, but my headphones require different EQ to my speakers.

 

[Wiimer]

Thanks, I thought so. If so, it is pretty inconvenient if sb uses both regular speakers and headphones, and wants to use different amps for speaker and headphones. The easiest way is to use headphone output of Ultra but I have heard it is mediocre, although I haven’t use it yet by myself.

But I am considering buying headphones so that’s the reason I am asking. Again thanks for clarification.

You can use the PEQ as RoomFit profile by manually copying the values from the RoomFit profile to the PEQ. You can then switch the PEQ for each output in the preset and get the same result as turning RoomFit on / off. (Assign a flat EQ to the output for headphones.)

Of course, in this case RoomFit must always be turned off and can't be used at the same time as the EQ.

 

[Wiimer]

I have smart presets for that, not just turning room correction off, but my headphones require different EQ to my speakers.

Yes, I explained

 

[cristoo]

You may have heard that it is mediocre, but you shouldn't dismiss it without actually listening to it yourself.

Yes, you are absolutely right. I will try it first and than decide what to do next.

 

[Steve Woodhouse]

Yes, I explained

Missed that.