• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

My Krell preamp has no headphone jack. Advice needed.

D

DaveF0131

New Member
Hello everyone, this is my first post on Audio Karma.
Sorry, I've seen posts/ problems like this, but I still can't find a solution.
I just got a used Krell Showcase preamp.
It does not have a headphone jack. I want to use headphones with this Krell preamp.

The Krell preamp has L-R Tape out and L-R VCR out RCA jacks.
These are the only Audio out analog jacks the preamp has.
I connected the 2 Tape Out jacks on the preamp to my headphone amp's L-R inputs.

I play a movie on my 4K player that is connected to the preamp. Audio comes through my speakers just fine.
However, there is no audio passed to my headphones.
I click on the tape monitor button, still no headphone audio.
I tried the VCR Out jacks as well. Still no sound.

I called & emailed Krell tech support. They don't respond.
The Krell manual is vague and does not mention how to use headphones.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
Dave
 
Register to hide this ad
DaveF0131 said:
Hello everyone, this is my first post on Audio Karma.
Sorry, I've seen posts/ problems like this, but I still can't find a solution.
I just got a used Krell Showcase preamp.
It does not have a headphone jack. I want to use headphones with this Krell preamp.

The Krell preamp has L-R Tape out and L-R VCR out RCA jacks.
These are the only Audio out analog jacks the preamp has.
I connected the 2 Tape Out jacks on the preamp to my headphone amp's L-R inputs.

I play a movie on my 4K player that is connected to the preamp. Audio comes through my speakers just fine.
However, there is no audio passed to my headphones.
I click on the tape monitor button, still no headphone audio.
I tried the VCR Out jacks as well. Still no sound.

I called & emailed Krell tech support. They don't respond.
The Krell manual is vague and does not mention how to use headphones.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
Dave
Click to expand...
If it were me I would buy a headphone amp the price depends on your budget.
I bought this one the other day for $99 and love the sound my sennheiser HD 579's have through it.
Magni 3 Heresy
 
Try the below 3 options:

1. L and R (next to C and SW, respectively) in the Analog Audio Outputs (not the ones in the TAPE or VCR section, but the ones above them in the center next to the XLR outputs) into your headphone amp L&R using RCA cables. If these are connected to your amp already, you might be able to use a RCA Y adapter.

2. Get 2 XLR to RCA cables and use the Analog Audio Outputs XLR L, R into Headphone amp L & R. (again in the center section labeled alalog audio outputs)

3. If your headphone amp has a digital spdif coax input, go from the digital out (labeled DIG OUT between RS/232 connector and digital audio inputs section on the bottom right, looking at the rear panel) into the coax or digital input of your headphone amp using an RCA cable.
 
Last edited:
Alobar ,
I recently bought the Schiit Magnus 3+ headphone amp. The Heresy looks nicer, but a reviewer online said the Magnus 3+ sounds better.
I contacted the Schitt when asking what is the best product for me. He said they came out with the Heresy and Magnus 3+ at the same time, to see if one will sell better than the other.
 
To Sam08861,
For option 1. The Analog output group to the right of the XLR inputs in where my power amps are plugged in. You would think the amps would go to Input, but they go to Output on the preamp.
I had an Anthem preamp. The Anthem outputs also connected to my power amps. I had to replace the Anthem with the Krell because the Anthem LCD display quit working.
I plugged in my headphone L-R inputs into the L-R 7.1 grouping to the left of the XLR inputs. No headphone audio. Had to try it, can't think of anything else to try.

I might have to try your option 2 if all else fails.
Option 3 : My headphone amp does not have a digital spdif coax input. It only has L-R inputs.

I paged through all the Krell menu options. Can't find anything related to the Tape Out jacks.

Thanks,
Dave
 
Simplest option is to use a couple of Y cables between the preamp L/R outputs and the power amp inputs. Then attach the other leg of the Y's to your headphone amp.
 
What model Krell is it?

Depending on the capability of the line output buffer, you may be able to attach your headphones directly the line outs.
 
DaveF0131 said:
To Sam08861,
For option 1. The Analog output group to the right of the XLR inputs in where my power amps are plugged in. You would think the amps would go to Input, but they go to Output on the preamp.
....
I plugged in my headphone L-R inputs into the L-R 7.1 grouping to the left of the XLR inputs. No headphone audio. Had to try it, can't think of anything else to try.
.....
Dave
Click to expand...

Hi Dave,

The L-R 7.1 group you plugged into are inputs (sound goes in), so won't work. You need outputs (sound coming out) as in options 1 or 2. Amps should plug into outputs from the pre amp, so correct as you describe and expected. Sound goes out of the preamp into the amp and then into speakers. Similarly, needs to go out of preamp, into headphone amp and into headphones. The amp and headphone amp have the same function at different levels of power. The amp puts out more power, appropriate for speakers and the headphone amp the appropriate level for headphones.

So preamp out, headphone amp in.

For option 1, you can use y adapters to split the L,R signals to your power amp and headphone amp. The amp and headphone amp take the same 'line level' signal into their inputs.
 
Last edited:
Thanks,
The full name of my preamp is Krell Showcase. It does not have a version number.

I will see if I have those Y cables in my big duffle bag of cables.
If not, Best Buy has the cables in stock near me.

I didn't think to see if the Krell had a headphone jack before I bought it.
But the Krell sounds really good through my speakers, so it's a keeper.
If the Y doesn't work, Guitar Center has the female XLR to RCA male cables in stock near me.

So far, I had to buy the Schiit headphone amp, a component cable for the Krell on screen display (OSD)
which displays the full menu configuration options on my TV,
and a special remote for the OSD.
Maybe it needs a cocktail shaker too.

Will a Y adapter compromise or degrade the signal ?

Thanks again for all the advice.
 
Could it be that you have a digital connection between the 4k player and the Krell pre? If so, it sounds to me that the Krell may not pass that signal through the DAC and then to the tape outs.
 
There's absolutely no reason why you shouldn't be able to get a signal out of the tape outputs and send that to the headphone amp. There should be no need for XLR-RCA adaptors, Y adaptors or anything else.
The only possible complication is (maybe) the need to configure the preamp to do that. Unfortunately the preamp seems to be very complicated and has all kinds of configuration options. I looked at the manual here http://krellonline.com/assets/support/showcaseproc_MAN.pdf but it's 82 pages long!
Anyway, just take the signal from the tape outputs of the Krell.
 
rothwellaudio said:
There's absolutely no reason why you shouldn't be able to get a signal out of the tape outputs and send that to the headphone amp. There should be no need for XLR-RCA adaptors, Y adaptors or anything else.
The only possible complication is (maybe) the need to configure the preamp to do that. Unfortunately the preamp seems to be very complicated and has all kinds of configuration options. I looked at the manual here http://krellonline.com/assets/support/showcaseproc_MAN.pdf but it's 82 pages long!
Anyway, just take the signal from the tape outputs of the Krell.
Click to expand...

The tape ins/outs are listed as an NCR loop. Don't these need an input to have sound from the outs?
 
Not sure what 'ncr'is. Just included that info as that's what it was referred to and hoping someone else knew or it might help understand the function. .... Reference is here https://hometheaterreview.com/krell-showcase-av-preamp-and-7-channel-amplifier-reviewed/

Did come across this from https://www.avsforum.com/forum/90-r...t-old-school-eq-krell-showcase-processor.html so perhaps answered my own question.

The Showcase Processor has a discrete tape input and output. The
tape output is used to send an input signal from any analog input
(S-1 through S-7, B-1, or VCR) to a recording device or processor.
You can use the tape feature in three ways:
  1. Use the tape input to playback pre-recorded tapes.
  2. Use the tape input to compare the output signal of a three-head
    analog tape recorder to the output signal of an audio source.
    Press the tape button (15) or key (64) to switch between the tape
    recorder output (LED illuminated) and the input source (LED not
    illuminated).
  3. Use the tape output to create a processor loop, when the
    Showcase Processor is connected to a graphic equalizer or other
    ancillary equipment. Connect the equipment to the Showcase
    Processor tape outputs (34) as described in the equipment manufacturer’s
    manual. Press the tape button (15) or key (64) to
    switch between the processor output (LED illuminated) and the
    input source (LED not illuminated).
So perhaps button 15 or key 64 will activate the tape outs?
 
Sam08861 said:
Not sure what 'ncr'is. Just included that info as that's what it was referred to and hoping someone else knew or it might help understand the function. .... Reference is here https://hometheaterreview.com/krell-showcase-av-preamp-and-7-channel-amplifier-reviewed/
Click to expand...
You're right - it says "There are 7 analog audio inputs, and a tape NCR set of loop inputs". NCR? Normal cassette recorder? Not currently recording? No carbon required? :dunno: I have no idea.
Still, there are tape outputs on the preamp so there must be a way of getting a signal out of them.
 
Do you have analog or digital outputs on your '4K player' (I'm not really sure what this player is... BD maybe?) If so, can you connect them to your headphone amp (if analog) or to a DAC (if digital) and then to the headphone amp?
 
Thanks everyone.
I tried & tried to get audio from Tape Out. I went through the config menus & looked at every config option related or may be related to Tape Out.
I could not discern anything relevant in the menus.

On facebook, I asked a guy who reviewed the Krell Showcase years ago. He responded very quickly :
"I don’t think the Krell has a DA converter for a digital audio signal to our from those outputs. Only the main outputs to the amp. This is a copyright protection issue. Hope this helps."
He said I should continue calling tech support.

What he said could be true. The following from the Krell manual supports this.
The manual page 23 : Use this Tape key to select the output from an analog tape recorder connected to the tape inputs.
Page 69 : The tape output functions only with analog sources

I am hoping the digital signal from my 4K player is converted to analog before it gets to Tape Out, but if Tape Out is pass through & no DAC, then it will not work.

I tried the VCR analog Outputs, no success. The Krell manual does not say anything about the VCR Out requiring an analog signal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom