wrong to try a luxman CL38uC preamp with mcintosh mc225?

Hey, not sure what you mean you don't understand line levels and clipping?

Usually at the line level it's very rare you overdrive a preamp (clip). 

"Clipping" is when a preamp or amplifier tries to output more than it can.  The signal peaks get clipped.

thanks. I dont understand if it would apply in the luxman/mcintosh match

OP:

You can always overdrive an amp.... just be careful with the volume control. :D

But in general they expect the same voltage range.

thank you