Home Amp/Preamp Asylum

Looking for a new Amp or Preamp? If you're after tubes, post over here.

RE: What is impedance and how does it work

There's output impedance from the preamp and input impedance in the amplifier.

The input impedance of your amplifier can be considered the "load" placed on your premap. If the load on your preamp is too low, distortion will go up, and potentially the frequency response on the bottom end will be compromised.

As the load on the preamp increases (amp inmput impedance goes up), you will actually lose less signal from the preamp, and the distortion that the preamp produces will drop drastically.

As a general rule of thumb, we like to see an input impedance that is at least 10X the output impedance of the preamp driving it. So for a preamp with a 1K output impedance, 10K would be a recommended minimum. Generally, there isn't any harm in going much higher (100X).




Edits: 04/07/14

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  Crux Audio  


Follow Ups Full Thread
Follow Ups

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?
Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
  Remember my Moniker & Password  (What's this?)    Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:
Message:   (Posts are subject to Content Rules)
Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:  Automagically notify you when someone responds.