# Using headphone out as a line out / Really that bad?

**URL:** <https://forum.psaudio.com/t/using-headphone-out-as-a-line-out-really-that-bad/17263>\
**Category:** Integrateds\
**Created:** [June 2, 2020, 9:33pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/using-headphone-out-as-a-line-out-really-that-bad/17263 "2020-06-02T21:33:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Inmate999](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/inmate999/32/45128_2.png) [@Inmate999](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Inmate999)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 9:33pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/using-headphone-out-as-a-line-out-really-that-bad/17263/1 "2020-06-02T21:33:11Z")

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Hello. I would like to know whether is it really that bad to use the headphone out as a line out to hook up the Sprout100 to a Yamaha CD Player/Amp which doesn’t have line out, just this HP jack. I know Paul doesn’t recommend this from one of his videos, but is there a way i can optimize this connection while I can a afford a proper CD player/transport?  
Thank you!

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**Author:** ![joma0711](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/joma0711/32/277666_2.png) [@joma0711](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/joma0711)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 10:45pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/using-headphone-out-as-a-line-out-really-that-bad/17263/2 "2020-06-02T22:45:43Z")

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It can work, and with a handful of resistors and a soldering iron it can work in a controlled manner too.  
But you are always at the mercy of the headphone amp (which in small systems is sometimes the main power amp with a couple of resistors inside the box to reduce the output) - even if it is a separate headphone amp inside it is often an afterthought and not good quality.  
This lack of quality will always colour the “line out” you get from using a headphone out.

Do-able as a stopgap though for sure whilst you save up for a CD transport or streamer or whatever 🙂

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**Author:** ![Inmate999](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/inmate999/32/45128_2.png) [@Inmate999](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Inmate999)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 10:50pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/using-headphone-out-as-a-line-out-really-that-bad/17263/3 "2020-06-02T22:50:28Z")

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Thank you very much, sir.

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**Author:** ![joma0711](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/joma0711/32/277666_2.png) [@joma0711](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/joma0711)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 12:09am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/using-headphone-out-as-a-line-out-really-that-bad/17263/4 "2020-06-03T00:09:53Z")

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No problem, thinking about it I have done this on several occasions over the decades, once into a guitar amp from a Walkman, did ok for a few months until circumstances improved 😉  
it is certainly better than no sounds!