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Help with Matching Impedance - DAC to Integrated

I just pickup up a Denafrips Pontus II 12th (arriving Wednesday).  I was doing some deeper digging on the DAC and saw a reviewer mention that the Pontus does not have an output buffer, which could cause some issues with matching the input impedance of some preamps/integrated.  My Arcam FMJ A49 has a 10k ohm input impedance on both XLR and RCA inputs.  The Pontus outputs are 1250 ohm on XLR and 625 on the RCA.  I understand that a 10:1 ratio is preferred.  XLR would be ~8:1; RCA ~16:1.

I had hoped to use XLR.  I'd appreciate any input on whether XLR is just a bad idea here, especially any direct experience with the Pontus around this issue.  I'd also welcome recommendations on RCAs in the $100-$300 range?

Thank so much.  Long time lurker.  This is my first post.

ajrepete
erik_squires
17,537 posts
 

10k is unusually low for a solid state preamp stage these days.  What a surprise, and good thing you noticed. 

Good news is that in this case, the worst that can happen is reduced output level... but that's what the volume control is for! :) 

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ajrepete OP
2 posts
 

Viridian - great find.  Thank you.  I pulled the 10k number straight from the owner’s manual, so good to see some real world testing numbers as well.

Appreciate everyone for sharing their insights!  

I ordered both Kimber and Cardas RCAs this morning just in case, so it will be fun to do some comparisons with those and the XLRs I’m using now with my current DAC.

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