Direct Head Output
An output carrying a tape playback head’s signal before the machine’s normal playback amplification and equalization.
A direct head output lets an external tape-head preamplifier process the signal recovered from the tape. It bypasses the playback-electronics path at that point. This is a small head-level signal, rather than the finished line-level output sent to an amplifier.
Direct Head Output — Reel-to-Reel
On a reel-to-reel machine, direct head output allows use of an outboard preamp with appropriate gain, head loading and playback equalization. Confirm that the machine provides this connection as supplied and identify the playback head and channels it serves.
Compare the external preamp’s head-input requirements with the transport and tape format. A normal line input does not provide the needed processing, and a conventional phono input uses different equalization. A line output or an advertised third-party modification does not establish a factory direct-head connection. Cable routing and loading also deserve attention at these low signal levels.