USP/headphones doesn't turn analog outs off

[Mischief]

I am still getting audio through the analog outs and sub out when I use headphones. I can turn the amp off for the fronts but turning the sub off is a pain. Does anyone else have this problem?

It is a much lower volume but still rather high.

[monkumonku]

Jan 21, 2011 16:52:17 GMT -5 Mischief said:

I am still getting audio through the analog outs and sub out when I use headphones. I can turn the amp off for the fronts but turning the sub off is a pain. Does anyone else have this problem?

It is a much lower volume but still rather high.

That was a problem when the units were first released that later versions were supposed to have fixed (mine has this problem). From what I've heard from others, even the "fixed" ones are still not completely silent from the analog and sub outs.

[Mischief]

Good to know, I will just have to get used to turning the sub off.

I will say I am pretty impressed with the headphone amp so far

[doc1963]

I've had mine since November 2009 and it exhibits the same behavior.

[RPA-1 man]

Never tried the headphone output on mine. I got it in February 2010.

[roadrunner]

If memory serves me, the USP-1's headphone jack does not mute the speakers but cuts the volume level by 60 DB. A handful of Lounge members have mentioned hearing output from their speakers while the headphones are plugged in. Personally, I have not heard this, but then again I have never removed my headphones while music was playing. I use several different headphones, primarily the Grado SR325, and have never been aware that the speakers were not totally totally muted.

I have not checked to see if a residual sound is audible from the speakers if I were to remove my headphones while music is playing. The majority of my headphone listening is when my wife has gone to bed and I don't want to disturb her, so even if there was a small sound level emanating from the speakers in the listening room she would never hear it. Since I have not heard any "bleed through" while using headphones and my wife doesn't hear any noise either, I have not bothered to investigate any further.

The 60 DB reduction in volume was reported on the Lounge by a member who called Emotiva's tech support to report hearing "bleed through" when his headphones were plugged in. He reported that Emotiva responded by telling him that the jack cut the volume level but did not totally mute the speaker output. I have not contacted Emotiva to confirm this -- mainly because it is not an issue for me, one way of the other. I don't know if this is the way all USP-1s operate, or if only certain version releases are designed this way, or if the few who have reported this have a defective unit. If your unit behaves this way, and it bothers you, I urge you to call Emotiva to confirm this and find out if a "fix" is available.

I wish I were more knowledgeable on this issue, if for no other reason but to be able to help users who have questions about the USP-1. I am one of the earliest customers for the USP-1 and have found it to be an exceptionally fine preamplifier having superior performance. Keep us informed on what you find out if you call Emotiva.

[aussie]

I only got my USP-1 a week or so ago and it also has this issue, I used to like listening to my music using the headphones while the wife watched TV. It's not very loud but she does complain about it as she has the TV volume fairly lwo and can hear the music as well.

[Mischief]

The wife hasn't complained but she did bring it to my attention. I also just got a set AKG K702's and I have them burning in so the subwoofer was noticeable when the door was open. Closed the door, problem solved.

I have to say this design choice is one of the stranger ones I have seen.