Impedance Mismatch ???

Better impedance matching should deliver better dynamics and lower distortion. For example, the difference is analogous to the difference striking a drum with a proper tightly drawn drumhead versus one that is less so.

Impedance matching of output to input matters between each pair of components, from source to speakers. Pre-amp to amp and amp to speakers (refered to as "damping")are the two that get the most attention. Wires/ICs can also have impedance characteristics that matter and can be used to "tweak" the sound, but meaningful specs to chose wires based on this are hard to find and usually involves more trial and error.

You are hearing correctly matched components, hopefully. The 10:1 ratio is a MINIMUM not a maximum, so the ratio of your component is roughly 330:1. Well, well above the minimum suggested rule of thumb. You are great.

Agree with Viridian that on paper you are in good shape.

FWIW, vendors that design amps to match well with most any pre-amp, including most higher output impedance tube pre-amps, may go even higher with their amps input impedance as an insurance policy, in that actual impedance varies with frequency. So, for example 100 ohm output impedance is a genralized measure across all frequencies. Impedance at some frequencies may be much higher, thereby lowering the ratio and potentially impacting sound.

My rule of thumb is 30K SS amp input impedance is towards the low end I would use to have a decent insurance policy against issues that specs may not reflect accurately,like actual impedance at specific frequencies.

FOr example, in researching Class D Icepower amps, 60K input impedance is designed into the Wyred amps to help assure optimal results with most tube pre-amps. The BEl Canto ref1000m amps I use have 100K (unbalanced) input impedance. Balanced is double that even as I recall.

My TAD amps have similar 30K or so input impedance as I recall. I could hear a difference in sound with those versus my BCs that might be attributable to input impedance. Hard to say for certain with two different overall amp designs.

So its possible you might hear some difference with say a similar SS amp with 60K or higher imput impedance.

Higher amp input impedance can often result in a relatively leaner sound. That may or may not sound best to an individual, depending on personal preference and synergy with system overall including speakers and room acoustics.

SO a lot depends. Regardless, being aware of impedance matching considerations is a best practice IMHO that might lead to some useful and perhaps even predictable comparisons of value over time.

Well Thank you Gentlemen for the quick reply and the analogy of the drumhead being struck helps nicely !
From now on, the impedance rating will be part of any amp and preamp that I might ventue on to.
Actually been looking around for a little while now and that`s how I stumbled across this subject !
Thanks again guys !

Strangely, Jeff Rowland increased ICEpower module input impedance from 10k to 40k by adding extra amplifier board on my model 102 amplifier but released brand new all his design model 625 that has only 10k input impedance. Does he know something we don't?