2. amps-preamps
  3. 1090350165

Impedance Question: Tube Preamp with SS Power Amp

Having researched this issue with the archived threads, I am still having difficulties understanding the problems of impedance mismatch between Pre and Power amps. As a budding audiophile moving onto my first separates Pre/Power, I want to know more about impedance matching. I have several questions that I hope veterian audiophiles can help me out with.

1)Is the 10:100 ratio between the output impedance of preamp and input impedance of the power amp an absolute rule?

2)What would happen if impedance mismatch do occur? Will the sound be any less satisfying?

3)I understand that Tube preamps generally have higher output impedance values compared to SS, so does that make it problematic to use it with a SS power amp even though tubed preamps are often priased over their SS counterparts?

I ask these questions because I recently purchased a tubed Preamp (Musical Design SP-2B)that has an impedance of 2K Ohms. I want to match that with a SS power amp with an impedance value of 20K Ohms. Am I cutting it too close? (exactlly 10:100 ratio) Or are all of these issues irrevalent and I should just listen to that setup and hear for myself if it would work or not? Thanks in advance for the answers.
speedracerucr

Showing 1 response by glai

glai's avatar
glai
446 posts
 
Hovland HP100 into Pass X150. Output Imp. 2K Ohm quoted by Manufacturer but rise to 4700 Ohm towards 20Hz per stereophile test report. Input Impedance of Pass Lab approx 22K Ohm. This yields a 1/10 ratio at most freq but 4/10 at base. Theoretically should lead to base rolloff. In practise, HP 100 does not give up much base comparing to X1 preamp. 1/10 is a only a general rule. If system works, I wouldn't worry about numbers.
(If thread help, don't mind grammar)
More to discover