Guidance on preamp between Chinook and McCormack DNA-125


Hi everyone,

Slowly piecing my system together with all the great input I get here.  I recently picked up a Manley Chinook Phono Stage and I'm extremely impressed by it.  I will be running it with a McCormack DNA-125 power amp, but I still don't have a pre-amp selected.  I'm not looking for specific recommendations, but rather trying to find the specs that I should be looking for to avoid any overload and/or impedance mismatches.  The Chinook has 45/60db of gain, and I'm currently running a 1.8v HOMC with 45db of gain.  The specs on the DNA-125:

Input Impedance: 100 kOhms
Input Sensitivity: 1.0 Vrms
Voltage Gain: 30 dB

If I'm not mistaken this is fairly high gain.  What specs should I be looking for in a preamp?  Is a passive a consideration?  

I appreciate any help you can provide a "separates newbie".   

Thanks, Scott

smrex13

Showing 2 responses by mattmiller

Ok smrex13. How about looking at a Manley Labs Jumbo Shrimp for a outrageously awesome sounding front end! The Chinook mates perfectly with the Jumbo Shrimp. The Shrimp will drive your McCormack amp into audio bliss, no problem. This is what I use and it is remarkable indeed.

Matt M