2. amps-preamps
  3. 1138107581

preamp matching to poweramp

What does one need to take into consideration when matching an amp and preamp? The models I am currently looking at are the Opera Consonance M500S Signature 300B Monoblocks running at 18w and the Decware taboo running at 6w. I may have found a preamp for the Opera

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1141938743

but the decware is a bit of a question for me.

I gather you should try to keep with in the brand, but I need more inputs than decware preamp offers and I dont have money for 2 preamps.

Thanks.
someguy

Showing 1 response by aball

aball
2,016 posts
 
Check the output impedance of the preamp (sometimes hard to find) and the input impedance of the amp. The ratio of the input impedance over the output impedance should be 10x or greater for there to be no bass attenuation. This is a rule of thumb so take it with a grain of salt. 8x will probably be ok as well. In most cases, there is no problem but with something as esoteric as the Decware, it would be best to check.

Otherwise, I don't think there would be any matching issues beyond personal taste.
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