# Why only 2 preamp outputs

**URL:** <https://forum.psaudio.com/t/why-only-2-preamp-outputs/35270>\
**Category:** Preamplifiers\
**Created:** [October 7, 2023, 1:17pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/why-only-2-preamp-outputs/35270 "2023-10-07T13:17:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jsprouth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/958977/32.png) [@jsprouth](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/jsprouth)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2023, 1:17pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/why-only-2-preamp-outputs/35270/1 "2023-10-07T13:17:55Z")

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As the title says…. Why do preamps like the Stellar Gold only have 2 analog outputs. This is the case for other brands too. I would need one output to go to my amplifier. I would need another one to hook up a subwoofer. Then I would need one more to Hook up a headphone amplifier. Sometimes the headphone amplifier and jack is in the DAC but then that limits your headphone listening to content that goes through the DAC. Do I need to use a splitter. How should the connections to amp, subwoofer and headphone amp be done?

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**Author:** ![Elk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/elk/32/1240_2.png) [@Elk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Elk)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2023, 2:47pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/why-only-2-preamp-outputs/35270/2 "2023-10-07T14:47:53Z")

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I would split the output to the amp and subwoofer. Assuming a self-powered subwoofer it draws very little.

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**Author:** ![aangen](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/aangen/32/295709_2.png) [@aangen](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/aangen)\
**Post date:** [October 8, 2023, 5:47pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/why-only-2-preamp-outputs/35270/3 "2023-10-08T17:47:07Z")

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With REL subs you don’t need a Preamp. They hook up directly to the speaker outputs on the Amp(s). It works great and sounds best.

I only use headphone amplifiers with portable gear so I don’t know anything about that.

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**Author:** ![mscardina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/839c29/32.png) [@mscardina](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/mscardina)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 12:52am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/why-only-2-preamp-outputs/35270/4 "2023-10-09T00:52:52Z")

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I would not use the Preamp output for the headphone amp as this introduces two volume controls in series. I would run sources directly to the HP Amp and if it didn’t have multiple inputs get a small switcher for it or replace with one that has. This is be better way to go. For example, I have a Schiit Jotuheim at my seating location fed directly from second outputs from my DAC and Stellar Phono. This way I don’t care where my preamp’s volume control was left nor do I even need the main system on.