How to match preamp to power amp?

[valkodav]

Hi,

How to choose preamp for power amp. What specs should i look for ?

 

[Al ears]

Hi,

How to choose preamp for power amp. What specs should i look for ?

The easiest way, not always the best I will admit, is to simply buy those that are designed to work together from the same manufacturer. The preamp simply needs to have all the connections you require. Financially you would be better off with an integrated amp.

 

[Andrewjvt]

While i agree if you have money to burn a seperate pre amp and power amp will bring you sonic bennefits.

In the more budget range of amps i struggled to hear a difference.

I used to own a nad c160 pre amp with a c270 power amp and i comparred it to the c370 intergrated and i stuggled to hear any difference.

 

[Vladimir]

The rule of 10 usually applies. The input impedance of the power amp should the at least 10 times larger than the output impedance of the preamp. 20, 30, 50... times is even better.

 

[davedotco]

With most modern equipment output impedance is a few 10s of ohms and input impedance 10 kohm or higher, you would have to get some pretty strange kit for that to be an issue.

Similarly you need to match output voltage to input sensitivity, the measured values are not always helpful, just make sure the volume control has a decent range, ideally normal listening levels at about half way. Er, technically, thats it.

Sound wise adding a preamp can change the sound, it may be 'voiced' differently or it may change the nature and position of the 'gain' in the setup, either may be quite audible and may be liked or disliked.

I am kind of 'old school', if it is not needed, don't have it, I think multiple stages of attenuation then amplification is a nonsense so I dont do it.

 

[valkodav]

What about preamp gain ? Im confused.