The 7 volt number is the maximum output voltage **capability** of the phono stage. The actual voltage it will put out is determined by the phono cartridge, the gain of the phono stage, and the volume of the recording at any given instant.
Everything else being equal, the higher the phono stage’s maximum output voltage capability the better, as there will be more margin between its capability and the actual voltage it is called upon to put out. Too little capability, rather than too much, is what can cause clipping in the phono stage itself.
Under reasonable circumstances the input impedance of the line stage is not a factor in whether or not clipping occurs. Whether or not clipping occurs in the line stage or the power amplifier depends on their gains; the maximum voltage handling capability of the line stage; the maximum voltage, current, and power capabilities of the power amplifier; the load impedance presented to the amplifier by the speakers; the setting of the volume control in the line stage (which among other things will depend on the sensitivity of the speakers); and the **actual** voltage sent into the line stage by the phono stage.
Regards,
-- Al
Everything else being equal, the higher the phono stage’s maximum output voltage capability the better, as there will be more margin between its capability and the actual voltage it is called upon to put out. Too little capability, rather than too much, is what can cause clipping in the phono stage itself.
Under reasonable circumstances the input impedance of the line stage is not a factor in whether or not clipping occurs. Whether or not clipping occurs in the line stage or the power amplifier depends on their gains; the maximum voltage handling capability of the line stage; the maximum voltage, current, and power capabilities of the power amplifier; the load impedance presented to the amplifier by the speakers; the setting of the volume control in the line stage (which among other things will depend on the sensitivity of the speakers); and the **actual** voltage sent into the line stage by the phono stage.
Regards,
-- Al