Headphones and the Devialet

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Option 4 - I will explore this. I would assume its fairly simple and would mean using the Configurator to do this.  This fills me with dread but I am sure I could do this

It should be fairly straightforward, just one change to make.

So for me after discounting options 2 and 3, then only option 4 will give me full balanced operation. is this correct?

Bearing in mind that "balanced" doesn't really apply to the digital input, it will depend on the internal design of the headphone amp -- maybe Burson can give you some advice on that.

You also mention about using the Devialet as a pre-amp. I assume this is what I am doing now with the 200 and the Taurus amp? The Taurus has no DAC so I have always assumed the 200 is doing some sort of digital to analogue conversion.

Exactly.  The 200 is using an internal DAC to convert the digital signal from Roon/Nucleus into the analog pre-amp output that goes to the Taurus.

One last thing. Nucleus straight to the Burson . Yes it can be by USB but both USB inputs are being used by me right now. One for back ups and one connects to the Devialet. So I would have to find another way to perform Roon Back ups. Again not ideal. I am not sure how i would use the Roon Control app then too?

Adding a USB hub would allow you to connect to the 200, a headphone amp and a mass storage device for back-ups.

In that configuration the Roon control app would show you two audio zones, one being your 200 and the other being the headphone amp.  After selecting which zone you want to play music on, it should work exactly as it does now whether you've selected the 200 or the headphone amp as your current zone.

A lot to think about and I will explore option 4 and once again many thanks

You're welcome -- and looking forward to hearing what you decide.