Question: Can I use headphones to listen to my Audio-Technica turntable directly?

Answer: The short answer is yes. But since there is no volume control on our turntables you may want to go a step further and add an amplifier, such as a headphone amplifier, with at least a volume control on it, between the turntable and the headphones so you have control over the volume level of the music. Some amplifiers will also provide some degree of tone adjustment. The level of the signal coming out of the turntable is only moderately loud and the addition of the amplifier will also enable you to achieve a broader useable volume range.

Thanks to an RIAA phono preamplifier built into most of our turntables, with the AT-LP140XP Turntable being an exception, most of our turntables do not have to be connected to a stereo amplifier or receiver that has PHONO jacks or used with an outboard phono preamplifier installed between the turntable and the headphones. Just set the preamp selector switch on the turntable to the LINE position to turn the built-in preamplifier on and the RIAA equalization curve required to play back records will be applied to the signal, raising it from phono level to line level. This line level signal is what a headphone amplifier needs so it, in turn, can drive the connected headphones to adequate volume levels.

Note that we do make one turntable, the AT-LP60XHP, that has an integrated headphone amplifier with a 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) headphone jack and headphone volume control on the front panel. A pair of headphones with an 11.5-foot cable is provided with the turntable.

AT-LP60XHP Analog Turntable With Built-in Headphone Amplifier

It is also possible, of course, to use Bluetooth wireless headphones, such as our ATH-S220BT Wireless Headphones, with turntables that feature wireless connectivity via Bluetooth technology. Currently, the following Audio-Technica turntables feature Bluetooth wireless technology in addition to forms of wired connectivity: the AT-LP60XBT, AT-LP60XBT-USB, and AT-LP120XBT-USB. Bluetooth headphones contain a small headphone amplifier with volume control. The amplifier is well matched to the power requirements of the headphone drivers (speakers) for optimum sound quality.

AT-LP120XBT-USB Analog, Bluetooth & USB Turntable

ATH-S220BT Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

If you do not own a set of Bluetooth wireless headphones, it is possible to convert a set of wired headphones to semi-wireless by using a Bluetooth receiver / headphone amplifier between the headphones and Bluetooth wireless turntable. Our AT-PHA55BT Portable Wireless Headphone Adapter is up to this task. The adapter creates a wireless Bluetooth link between the turntable and the adapter, and the headphones plug into the adapter’s headphone jack.

AT-PHA55BT Portable Wireless Headphone Adapter

If you have any questions about headphone use with our turntables or any of the products mentioned above, please contact the Audio Solutions Team.