This issue just came up with me this month. I was interested in “daisy chaining” the balanced output from my McIntosh preamp output to my SVS subwoofer input, then balanced output from the SVS to a PS Audio BHK 300 balanced input. That arrangement would save me significant new in-wall and attic install of a balanced cable run. The SVS tech was concerned about combining the two components, and specifically the potential additional circuitry strain on the output of my tube preamp output. The exact point being, it was because I was using a tube preamp. He said many tube preamps might not be able to handle it (he looked up specs of both pieces of gear and started crunching ohms). There wasn’t published the necessary spec for the McIntosh preamp, so to be safe, he encouraged me to contact McIntosh. The McIntosh tech was a bit put off by my question, discussing potential parts wear, saying “we build McIntosh preamps to last 30 years.”
