2. amps-preamps
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Audio Buffer

Dear All,

I'm thinking of matching the ARC Ref 3 preamp with Mac MC501's. However, there may be impedance mismatch issues or will there? ARC Ref 3 impedance can go upto 1430 ohms while Mac input is at 18k-20k ohms?

Hence, I also plan to put in an audio buffer in between the pre and power e.g. Burson Audio Buffer AB160XLR

Has anyone experienced/ used audio buffer between pre and amp?

Thanks
primare_cd31
primare_cd31

Showing 1 response by viridian

viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
The ARC specs are 600 ohms output impedance and suggest a minimum of 20k ohms input impedance.

http://www.arcdb.ws/REF3/REF3.html

The Stereophile test results indicate a very low imput impedance on the Macs lower than you state above:

http://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/804mcintosh/index5.html

I have tried the Musical Fidelity X-10D with X-PSU between amp and preamp and it is not a pretty thing in a high res system.

Then again, the cost of the Burson is fairly negligible in the system context, so you can mess around and sell it if you don't like it.
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