HELP!! How to connect "Headphone AMP" when you already have "Audio Interface"?

[angeldef]

I have Scarlett Focusrite 2i2 (i know it ain't the best, but for $50 it is) and been wondering on getting an headphone amp for my DT770 pro 80 ohm ( and i know i may or may not even need a headphone amp for 80 ohm i know that, but i just want it to test out and maybe for better headphones later on or for the sake of owning a headphone amp alright ). The amp that i saw for a deal is an Fiio e10 USB DAC (i don't believe its the e10k). But i've been googling and no one has answered the question straight forward. So if i have the USB audio interface plug in my computer, how would i plug another usb headphone amp without having to switch with which is default. Or em i just thinking to much and if i plugged both they will magically work together without a problem.

You get what im saying right? because a usb interface is your main sound output, so how will the headphone amp output sound without making it my defualt playback. Well i hope someone gets this? Or do i just use like the line on my interface to the headphone amp and then how will you power the amp do i plug in the usb still and will it work then ... im confuse

 

[basroil]

It'll just work, but the 80ohm set won't need it anyway

 

[angeldef]

really... you see how i can doubt that .. without a video or some more evidence of it working.. because like my monitors have its own speakers they just don't work because they plug it... they need to be enabled or defaulted for them to work with the audio interface being in my computer aswell and which also makes it useless when i do not make it default. they don't both work at the same time.. you get what i mean.. but im not saying your wrong. i need more explanation or evidence showing so..

 

[basroil]

really... you see how i can doubt that .. without a video or some more evidence of it working.. because like my monitors have its own speakers they just don't work because they plug it... they need to be enabled or defaulted for them to work with the audio interface being in my computer aswell and which also makes it useless when i do not make it default. they don't both work at the same time.. you get what i mean.. but im not saying your wrong. i need more explanation or evidence showing so..

You can use any number of USB audio devices at the same time, Windows supports more than you can afford. You can only pick one as the default, but software that understands windows audio devices can pick any device it needs. I will NOT provide videos or other support because there's no need, a two second google search will prove anything I told you.

 

[angeldef]

really... you see how i can doubt that .. without a video or some more evidence of it working.. because like my monitors have its own speakers they just don't work because they plug it... they need to be enabled or defaulted for them to work with the audio interface being in my computer aswell and which also makes it useless when i do not make it default. they don't both work at the same time.. you get what i mean.. but im not saying your wrong. i need more explanation or evidence showing so..

You can use any number of USB audio devices at the same time, Windows supports more than you can afford. You can only pick one as the default, but software that understands windows audio devices can pick any device it needs. I will NOT provide videos or other support because there's no need, a two second google search will prove anything I told you.

It seems you are right base on my second google about 2 usb audio simultaneously... i will have to test it later...thanks

 

[ssddx]

in short:
scarlett can be used as input device for mic.
e10 can be used as output device for headphones

this works, but i would not suggest this if you like listening to your voice live as if you route through the pc you could get micro-delay. instead i would use just an amp connected to the scarlett directly since you will have no delay.

the fiio a3 or e12 for example or even better yet the schiit magni 2.

 

[basroil]

I did not see that that thing had two XLR inputs with phantom power for $50, that is really freaking cheap! (normally >$100)

But yes, as ssddx said, there will be some delay using a separate monitor, it's much better in Win10 usually, but even then it can be a few MS, enough to screw you up quite a bit. If you use them separately (headphones for listening to other things than your own voice) it's good, but if you want your own voice and some other sounds you might need a mixer of some sort

 

[ssddx]

i'm familiar with the brand/model so i didnt have to look up its specs. the 2i2 (i believe it stands for "two in two out") has two xlr inputs, headphone output and rca output. its a $130 interface, he probably bought one used. overall for its price its not a bad interface - not perfect but if you want better you need to spend more.

agreed, you can certainly use two different interfaces if delay is not a problem. delay also is not a problem on all systems all the time - it really depends. i only note that it *could* be a problem. this is why i suggest just using an amp connected to the 2i2 but honestly that is completely up to your needs and preferences.

in case you are unaware, the 2i2 has mixer software with it. also it features mixer knobs for both xlr inputs and the headphone output.

 

[basroil]

in case you are unaware, the 2i2 has mixer software with it. also it features mixer knobs for both xlr inputs and the headphone output.

Meant if he was trying to do a game recording setup like many here do, though I now see it's not actually 2x XLR rather 2x XLR+TRS combo jacks, which means he can certainly plug the headphone out from a computer and do direct monitoring.

Most of the audio equipment I have access to is decades old, I think I need to spend a few days at BH and JR again (not even sure JR is up and running yet!)

 

[ssddx]

oh yes, they have xlr/trs combo jacks. many interfaces use such ports so i forgot to mention it. what a convenient thing. one of the benefits to an interface is the live-monitoring.

yes, there are tons of great new products out. put your tape decks away, climb out from under thata rock and join the new age :lol:

 

[angeldef]

this is why i suggest just using an amp connected to the 2i2 but honestly that is completely up to your needs and preferences.

in case you are unaware, the 2i2 has mixer software with it. also it features mixer knobs for both xlr inputs and the headphone output.

HI thanks for your input in the matter... i am gonna use it for mostly gaming and just putting more power to my headphone (even though maybe or maybe not need it). So how would you set up these hardware i mention? So i have the scarlett plug in, then i plug the fio e10 to the usb aswell maybe same hub (or group of usb) and i guess just connect the amp to the line of the scarlett? using the back of the fio? yes?

Thanks for advance info

 

[ssddx]

fiio e10 does not have a line in. it can ONLY be used via usb. this means that it is impossible to connect it up to your 2i2 for live listening to your own voice. other fiio models can.

the only way you can hook up the e10 is to your pc. it will work perfectly fine for most things although if you intend to listen to your voice in your headphones from your mic live as you talk you might get a delay. if you dont care about that then dont worry about it. if you do, you might want a product which can hook up directly. your call depending on your needs.