Hello all,
I am using a Digitakt and I have a doubt when I play with it using speakers.
I have a better sound quality using “output lines” using two cables for left right (or Y cable) or it is the same audio quality going with headphones line?
I’m asking that because I have not a Y cable to use the two output lines.
A balanced (TRS) line-level output is always going to be the better option.
Headphones output is for…headphones. 
Same signal as Ouput L/R but through a preamp.
Thank you it is a satisfying reply!
So L only would be a mono signal, I should connect both.
I should buy this so.
…u got ur answer…
and it’s a universal one…
all headphone outs only work via an additional, internal amping stage…
that always adds at least some colouring since they have to boost the signals impedance…
therfor, that outputsignal is NOT pure and clean anymore…
What are your speakers ? (Connections etc)
Technically speaking, yes. But in the real world, it won’t hurt to use the headphone out if you don’t actually hear noise.
You will laugh for my answer lol
My digitakt go out through my Audiolab 8000a using a RCA LR to Digitakt headphone output (to fix soon) and speakers are Eltax PWR 1959 connected with peeled cables.
Please stop overthinking this…
No. Use the headphones out for headphones… it says right on the box
Using line out will most likely not drive the headphones adequately
Ultimately, the “better” option would be to use the L/R outs to whatever L/R ins, the headphone output will also get you there, just with a small amount of preamplifier gain otherwise unnecessary.
You can also sidestep any digital/analog → analog/digital conversion using Overbridge into your computer and only needing a USB cable 
So you’d rather need this apparently…
Yes thank you!
OT QUESTION: you guys noticed that pumping up the volume tracks sounds start to crackle (produce noise)?
I tried a ew pair of good headphones that confirm this issue. It does this using default sounds. Kick + Snare at high volume (bit reduction 0) start to sounds cracky. That’s disappointing for a 1k$ machine.
You’re really not isolating what your issue is. Not to assume, but to tease this out further-
Is the chain just DT -> Headphones?
You have an issue that the preamp on the headphone out is so hot it’s causing distortion on your headphone drivers?
Elektron has pretty hot preamps on the headphone out. If you do not like this, keep the volume lower than max.
It is not designed so that average use case will always be max output, it is designed so you can have some additional gain if you are mixing more quietly. Gain staging always involves keeping expected levels in mind when operating any musical instrument.
I have plenty of nice headphones and devices and any of them can distort unpleasantly with a large amount of gain and bass, I keep any preamps or volume levels way under max to avoid clipping or the physical drivers pushed beyond expected.
Of course the chain in this case is digitakt > headphones.
Master level is 1 out of 3, the tracks are pumped of overdrive (or they do not punch so much) and the individual level is not 100%.
Kick only do not crack, snare the same (almost), but when both play together the sound is distorted a lot. 
So the problem should not present using output lines L R I assume. That would be a good news.
I’ll try to not abuse overdrive also when I come back home to see if it’s better. Thanks!
Just imagine that the headphone pre means that 10 on your main volume knob would be 11 with the line level outs.
Headphones require more drive and gain than what is expected for line signal.
Does that make sense?
“Gainstaging” generally means that you’re trying to send just what you are expecting to receive.
Sending too much can cause distortion going out, sending too little and cranking up the receiving gain can cause noise in the amplification.
There should be a general sweet spot where you have to tweak less and you can make more minor changes on whatever you’re sending out, and more rarely where you’re receiving signal.
You’ve already found that the headphones can be on the extreme end for amplification (since matching impedance to certain $$ $ headphone designs can eat up that extra voltage!)
Basically what is “right” will depend a lot on what you’re trying to do, and that flexibility to have objectively bad sound because of conditions at every mix point can be confusing.
Is it the preset/sample? Is it the pattern? Is it the mixer? Is it the analog volume out pot? Is it the volume in?
Feel free to ask similar questions and we can help you nudge your mixes and volume levels in the better direction until it makes a bit more sense