My TecAmp Puma 500 has no headphones out ... now what?

[AMp'D.2play]

I've had my Puma 500 since ~ October, at which time I also got rid of my little acoustic b20 practice amp. Since I get home from work late (usually after 9:30 pm), the mrs. is usually already asleep or close to it. Headphones would come in real handy for those nights where I have the energy to put in maybe another 30-60 mins of bass time and not disturb her. I usually try to get in at least an hour in the a.m. b4 work, so this night-time practice would mostly be "extra".

I've been bouncing around several options:

(1) get another inexpensive, small practice amp. This would be good for quiet late-night practice, but something that small would probably not be useful to transport out to an audition/rehearsal. (I have a 95 lb Berg HT322 for gigs, but I don't wish to lug it around more than I have to.)

(2) get a headphone amp (either something cheap to get by, or splurge for a Cafe Walter), -or-

(3) a shop near me recently got in a used GB Shuttle 9.0. They also have a TC Electronic RH450 (might've been a Classic 450, I just quickly glanced at it). I could trade in my Puma for either the Shuttle or TCE at pretty much a wash +/-. I briefly played my bass (Lakland 44-02) through the GB, but not long enough to fiddle with the knobs & get a real feel for it.

This last option is what's driving me nuts. Would I be crazy to get rid of the Puma, which I like a lot, for something else (that's also good, some may say better/not better/different) just so I can use headphones?!

OTOH, if I go the cheapest option w/ an inexpensive headphone amp, it'll solve my late-night quiet practice issue & I could set $$ aside towards a smaller/lighter cab to transport out, when I don't need the Berg.

I know ultimately, the decision will come down to me, but I'm just looking for some outside opinions from TB.

[KJung]

Don't do it! There are quite a few headphone amps out there that sound great, and aren't much money. Lots of thread in the effects part of the site, I think.

[silky smoove]

If we're talking about an older Puma, you've got a pretty specific tone profile that you probably won't find in one of those other amps. If we're talking about a newer Puma, my understanding is that it's a lot closer to the Shuttle 9.0 voicing than the older models, in which case the S9 might make a bit more sense.

That said, I would not sell your Puma. I absolutely adore my Puma1000 and feel that changing amps for the sake of a headphone output would be quite silly.

Check out any of the readily available, and low cost headphone amps that are out right now. If you want more features you could try a Korg Pandora, one of the Zoom units or a Tascam Trainer model. Last, but not least, if you're an iPhone user (presumably Android platforms have these as well) you could check out one of the iRig apps (iRig, Peavey, GK, Amplitude, etc.) and grab the necessary adapter (several available from various manufacturers) and you'd be good to go.

[naturalkinds]

I'm with these guys. That'd be a pretty peculiar reason to ditch an amp. If you're going to ditch a Puma -- which I, in fact, did -- you'd best have a better reason than that.

[GrowlerBox]

How about into a cheap mixer from the DI out on the TecAmp, unplug the cabinet, headphone out from mixer?

[BurningSkies]

Buy a used Korg Pandora.

[seamonkey]

Get an iPod guitar adapter and emulation software. Play along to your favorites.
AmpliTube iRig
Just one choice of many available.

[AMp'D.2play]

Thanks, all. I think a cooler head has prevailed (no pun intended), & I'm going to stick w/ the Puma & go the headphone amp route (& look towards a smaller, more portable, cab).

I think my dilemma was more GAS-induced than anything, since last year I looked into both the Shuttle series & the RH450 prior to buying the Puma, but was never able to get my hands on either to demo ... but now I can.

@ silky, I don't know which version of the Puma I have, but it was purchased new in October and hadn't been on the shop's shelf for more than 2-3 months (mid-summer), so I presume it was fairly recent.

@ silky (again) & naturalkinds, I'm sure you were both being kind labeling my conundrum as merely silly or peculiar.

[jeff7bass]

I would get the little Peavey Max for 80 bucks and use that. Sounds good jamming with the stereo and has the cd in + headphone out jacks.
Surprisingly good little practice amp for a painless price.
Then again you might want to get a larger combo to serve as a backup to your main amp. If that’s not a concern, the little Peavey is fine.

[BassmanPaul]

Read through this thread on the same basic subject: How to use headphones from line out or speaker out jack?

[bikeplate]

HI

I never use an amp when I practice. Been playing for almost 30 years

Rob

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by bikeplate

HI

I never use an amp when I practice. Been playing for almost 30 years

Rob

I do I admit. I consider my amp part of my sound and as such its possibilities need to be explored as much as the bass. For learning from an audio track I use headphones.

This summer marks 49 years of bass for me. <sigh> I hate this gettin' old crap!

[bikeplate]

HI

I know, we're getting old. LOL. My point was if you love your amp, find an alternative for your practice. I have an old Carvin nothing little amp I have incase I have to plug in to figure something out quickly or do a quiet jam. Or, just do what I do and dont practice! LOL. I seldom pick my bass up between gigs.

Rob

[jeff7bass]

I have a very small Yamaha amp for learning songs that I can find on the web, like YOUTUBE.
It serves its purpose but the Peavey is a significant upgrade in volume and tone.
They pack a lot into the Peavey for 80 bucks.