Pani & Mceljo,
Keep in mind that with typical components at typical volume settings, signal amplitude (voltage) out of a cdp is not much different than the corresponding preamp output, and will often be higher in fact. Likewise for the amount of current flowing in the two sets of cables.
Full-scale (maximum) output from a cdp is typically about 2 volts. The input amplitude required to drive typical power amplifiers to full power is usually in the area of 1 to 2 volts. Therefore the preamp volume control will tend to be set, depending on the dynamic range of the music among other factors, such that the preamp provides a gain of less than one. That is why digital sources are commonly played back with volume controls set at the 9:30 or 10 o'clock positions or thereabouts.
My own expectation, assuming both sets of cables are equally long, is that whichever of the two components (cdp or preamp) has a higher output impedance is likely to be more critical with respect to cable selection, especially if the capacitance of the cables (picofarads/foot for the particular cable multiplied by cable length in feet) is high. (And along the lines of Tvad's comment, imo "more critical" does not necessarily mean "more expensive"). High output impedance into a high capacitance cable forms a low-pass filter, attenuating the upper treble and causing sluggish transient response. Although that may or may not be subjectively preferable, depending, among other factors, on the upper treble response of the speakers and the room.
Best regards,
-- Al
Keep in mind that with typical components at typical volume settings, signal amplitude (voltage) out of a cdp is not much different than the corresponding preamp output, and will often be higher in fact. Likewise for the amount of current flowing in the two sets of cables.
Full-scale (maximum) output from a cdp is typically about 2 volts. The input amplitude required to drive typical power amplifiers to full power is usually in the area of 1 to 2 volts. Therefore the preamp volume control will tend to be set, depending on the dynamic range of the music among other factors, such that the preamp provides a gain of less than one. That is why digital sources are commonly played back with volume controls set at the 9:30 or 10 o'clock positions or thereabouts.
My own expectation, assuming both sets of cables are equally long, is that whichever of the two components (cdp or preamp) has a higher output impedance is likely to be more critical with respect to cable selection, especially if the capacitance of the cables (picofarads/foot for the particular cable multiplied by cable length in feet) is high. (And along the lines of Tvad's comment, imo "more critical" does not necessarily mean "more expensive"). High output impedance into a high capacitance cable forms a low-pass filter, attenuating the upper treble and causing sluggish transient response. Although that may or may not be subjectively preferable, depending, among other factors, on the upper treble response of the speakers and the room.
Best regards,
-- Al