You're correct about the impedance issue; it's not a good match electrically. It also depends on how difficult your speakers are to drive; the B&Ws are pretty demanding in this department. With your proposed setup I would expect a lean bass presentation and possibly a rolled off high end as well. Good luck finding the right amp. I did just read a good review in the Absolute Sound of the Marsh A400 which is a bargain, i.e., $2000 for a 200 watt amp, and possibly a better match for the CJ pre.
Passlabs Aleph 1.2 with CJ Tube 17LS/16LS Preamp
I am considering buying Aleph 1.2s to marry with a cj tube pre, the 17LS or the 16LS. The only problem I can see is that the unbal RCA input impedance of the Aleph 1.2s is approx 10Kohms and the output impedance of the 17LS or the 16LS is somewhat of the high side, i.e. approx close to 1kohms.
Does anyone have suggestions how the two of them would sound together? esp with this impedance mis-match problem
Also, any opinions of the Aleph 1.2s with B&W 801s / 802s.
Does anyone have suggestions how the two of them would sound together? esp with this impedance mis-match problem
Also, any opinions of the Aleph 1.2s with B&W 801s / 802s.