2. amps-preamps
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Ref 3 Impedence Mismatch HELP please

I've recently discovered I have an impedence mismatch between my Xilica XD 4080 digital crossover and the ARC REF 3. The input impedence on the Xilica is 10K. Which is too low for the REF 3. This causes issues with the sound in the high frequencies and lows. It seems like a Burson Audio XLR Audio Buffer would be the solution but apparently they are not importing them into the country any more.
I was wondering if there is another product or manufacturer that might have a product as a solution or if there is any way to raise the input impedence of the Xilica Crossover by adding caps or resistors as in internal mod.

Any ideas? I know I can always replace the preamp with a solid state unit which I'm contemplating.

As an after thought, wouldn't it be great if the audio manufacturers could at least codify the specs for all audio equipment so that these problems could be prevented? All manufacturs would have to at least hit a target input and output impedence so that all equipment could work together electrically. It seems a no brainer for the industry to develop.
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Showing 1 response by almarg

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almarg
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Any idea how much that would be?
http://www.stereophile.com/content/audio-research-reference-3-line-preamplifier-measurements:
The output impedance was also to spec., at 635 ohms balanced and 326 ohms unbalanced in the treble and midrange, but rose to 1437 ohms and 625 ohms, respectively, at 20Hz.
The OP's processor has only balanced inputs. A rise in preamp output impedance from 635 ohms in the mids and treble to 1437 ohms at 20Hz is non-ideal in relation to a 10K load (assuming that spec is accurate), but on the other hand doesn't seem likely to cause more than a very slight bottom octave rolloff.

Not sure why there would be issues with the highs, as the OP reported, unless the interconnect cables are particularly long and do not have low capacitance per unit length. In that situation, perceptible upper treble rolloff could result from the interaction of cable capacitance and preamp output impedance.

Best regards,
-- Al
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