Preamp/ Power amp matching.
davidhic8544@yahoo.com -- Fri, 12/03/2010 - 09:15
I am currently using a Mark Levinson 320S preamp with an output impedance of 100k with a 6m MIT Shotgun S-1 pro with a fixed low impedande going into a Pass X-350 with an input impedance 35k balanced.
Do the MIT cables help with the mismatch between the Levinson and Pass?
Would a different amp with a 100k input impedance make a difference? (obviously the cables would need to be replaced)
It would be nice if Bruce at MIT would make detachable network modules on the fixed impedance cables so the network module could be changed for impedance matching, speaker cables could be changed from single to bi-wire configuration.
The screw on type connection used on the higher end cables appear to be of good quality, and one could assume they would not affect the cable in a negative way considering the price of the Oracle cables, MIT could make modular type cables changing cable length on either end of the cable, i/c cables that could be changed from balanced to single ended.
It doesn't apper that there is as much engeneering applied to the "cable' as there is to the "network", making this an easy and cost effective solution similar to the detachable Icon connections.
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Hello David: You have a very good cable in place right now, as you have stated the input impedance of the Pass Amp being very low (35K bal). The cable you describe is designed to handle ANY output impedance and make the interface ideal (as posible) for a low imput impedance device. This interface (being dedicated to low input devices) works to reduce or eliminate reflected energy created by any mismatch. As far as your suggestions to Mr. Brisson goes we would say thank you, but there is much more to the problem of interfacing than can be overcome in a simple system as you describe. This is mainly because the MIT network designs are always in parallel, never in series. This unique feature will always require sophisticated couplers (like those found on the Oracle and Matrix Speaker Cables) that keep the circuits discreet and able to connect each network, point to point.
Great question, I hope that this bit of information will be of help. For those of you who are engineering types, A white paper on impedance matching circuits can be found on the MIT Cables website; http://www.mitcables.com/pdf/wp102.pdf
Kent
The Levinson has an output impedance of 100 ohm not kohm. From what I've read, the amps input impedance should be at least 10-20 times the preamps output impedance.
JLeeMD is correct about the Levinson's output impedance. Preamplifiers typically have output impedances in the tens of ohms. It's rare for there to be an impedance mismatch between a preamplifier and power amplifier.
Maybe so but I've been warned that to assume a valve preamp can be run into any solid state power amp without worrying about impedance mismatches is asking for trouble. How though is the technically ignorant buyer to know what's safe when we never hear a word about potential problems from audio sales staff? Would it possible to nominate a range of output/input impedances outside of which we shouldn't venture?