What's your opinion on headphone outs and Aux ins?

Kwesi · #1 08-01-2010, 09:25 PM

Just like the title says. I just recently picked up an Ibanez Promethean and while it's come the closest to having me sell my LittleMark II it couldn't quite do it. Two things that I absolutely love about the Promethean are the headphone out and aux in (that Vibe control is pretty sweet too

). I find myself wondering why more amps don't have them? Just wanted to hear others thoughts on it.

MIJ-VI · #2 08-01-2010, 09:48 PM

Is a stereo signal path maintained from the aux. in to the headphone out on the Promethean?

StuartV · #3 08-01-2010, 09:53 PM

I don't use the headphone out on mine. I have a Tascam Bass Trainer, for if I want to practice with 'phones. But, I use the Aux In ALL the time. Mostly for running my Bass Trainer through it so I can play along with whatever I'm practicing on. I guess if I didn't have the Bass Trainer, having the headphone out might be handy.

But, I think Aux In and the fact that it has a tweeter built in so full range audio coming in the Aux In sounds good are what makes the Promethean pretty much the ultimate all-around rig. The Promethean, a Sansamp BDDI, my 210 Aguilar cab, and my Aguilar 115 cab all together make for options to handle pretty much any situation from practice by myself to small gigs, to medium-sized gigs, to pretty much anything short of needing to play an outdoor festival with no PA support. And even then, I'm not sure that 500W and the 210+115 wouldn't do a decent job of it.

Kwesi · #4 08-01-2010, 09:54 PM

Unfortunately, no.

SteveC · #5 08-01-2010, 09:59 PM

I have never used either. Why would I? I know, I get it, plug in your MP3, etc, play along, listen on headphones to not disturb others, yada, yada. That's not what my amp is for. It's for making my bass loud at a gig. When I practice, I use a different system.

I don't care that they are on my amp. Maybe someday I'dll use them, but it certainly wasn't a deciding factor in my purchase.

GianGian · #6 08-01-2010, 10:00 PM

I had them in a small amp. I have never used them. Not that useful to my ends.

MIJ-VI · #7 08-01-2010, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Unfortunately, no.

Darn! The only amp I'm aware of which does preserve stereo from aux. in to 'phones out (according to the BLOCK diagram in its manual) is the unfortunately underpowered Ampeg Micro-VR.

While the Promethean doesn't sound SVT-esque (like the Micro-VR does) per se, it does sound pretty old school judging from one YouTube amp shootout I listened to last night.

Kwesi · #8 08-01-2010, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

Darn! The only amp I'm aware of which does preserve stereo from aux. in to 'phones out (according to the BLOCK diagram in its manual) is the unfortunately underpowered Ampeg Micro-VR.

While the Promethean doesn't sound SVT-esque (like the Micro-VR does) per se, it does sound pretty old school judging from one YouTube amp shootout I listened to last night.

Yep. To simplify it it sounds very similar to the Markbass LMII but with a more vintage low-mid punch and slightly muted top end. Easily the sexiest amp head on the market too

JimmyM · #9 08-01-2010, 11:34 PM

i'd rather use something little for headphone practice. actually i'd rather not even bother with headphone practice. if i can't plug in i'd just as soon not use anything.

Jefenator · #10 08-02-2010, 12:57 AM

I guess I don't get it. Seems like an amp head and a headphone amp are two very different things and I don't really see a need to be merging them.

I personally wouldn't use the headphone amp at all. Even something I would use, like a built-in tuner, it's like thanks but really, I'm good. Just make the amp head as toneful and reliable as you can and I'll pick out my own accessories.

thudfromafar · #11 08-02-2010, 01:49 AM

Better to have it than not...

I've certainly used both those features plenty...

wateroftyne · #12 08-02-2010, 02:06 AM

I've got a Promethean and a TC RH450, both of which have AUX / Headphone functionality, and I've used both extensively.

Y'know, I'd never noticed that the Promethean sums to mono. I'm not sure if the RH450 does or not.. truth is, the reason I use the functions is to learn the tunes, not simply to listen to the music. For that reason, it doesn't bother me.

I do know that I've had a couple of other headphone amps in the past (Pandora, and a dedicated headphone amp) and they sounded.. meh.

It's a good function to have in an amp, IMO.

nicoli · #13 08-02-2010, 02:31 AM

I use the aux in and headphone out on my little bedroom practice combo regularly because I live in a house with four other people and I'd rather not annoy them. I don't see any use for it on a gig worthy amp, and really there are probably better options for headphone practice too. A nice feature for a practice setup, but definitely not a deal breaker for buying decisions.

C.Linton · #14 08-02-2010, 05:38 AM

I also have a Tascam bass Trainer, so I don't need those on my amp. I HAVE 'em, I just don't need 'em. I can see where some might find it useful, though.

SteveC · #15 08-02-2010, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

i'd rather use something little for headphone practice. actually i'd rather not even bother with headphone practice. if i can't plug in i'd just as soon not use anything.

Me, too. I never use headphones to practice. Thankfully, in my current situation I don't need to.

shadow_FIX · #16 08-02-2010, 07:11 AM

I use headphones when I practice later in the evening, since I live in an apartment. But I have a little SWR LA10 with a headphone out and mix in for that...my LMIII wouldn't let me unfortunately

poorbassist15 · #17 08-02-2010, 07:23 AM

I use these jacks on my Acoustic mini stack all the time. I use it for silent practice,I get so caught up in it I often find myself playing into the early morning hours.