Impedance mismatches between pre and amp do this?

Thanks for the help guys! Im one day closer to finding out. From the specs you quoted and the sound Im getting it sounds like a mismatch. Someone on another board suggested the Arcam was running in passive mode and it sucked as a preamp. I guess the real beauty of the Arcam is the amp section but the highs in combo with the JM Labs kill it. I just received my 2nd pair of Synergistic Research Alpha X ic's (well packed but box was mangled by FEDEX!) Hopefully that will help a little. Any other ideas or suggestions on the system? Thanks again!

Im not sure if it is but someone else on another board said it was. Do those numbers coincide with a passives ouput? Im taking it with a grain of salt but who knows? Anyway Im anxiously awaiting my PS Audio 4.5 preamp. Ill let you guys know how everything turns out when I hook it up Saturday (knock on wood). Thanks for the help!

I received my PS Audio 4.5 pre yesterday and hooked it up to my B&K ST-140. All connections were made with Synergistic Alpha X ics and speaker cable. The sound in Straightwirde mode is very clean and smooth with good presence. The bass is tight and full and the highs although slightly rolled off are very clean. Soundstage width isnt incredible but acceptable, while depth is better. Instruments are all equally represented with the only emphasis being on vocals. They are firmly centered and clear, giving the music a more "you are there" feeling.

This brings up an interesting dillemma for me. Is music supposed to sound like a live performance or a good studio recording. With my Arcam the music sounded like a great recording (with the exception of harsh highs, prompting the switch). With my new setup the music sounds more natural. Both are enjoyable but different.

I dont use the active high level mode because the bass sounds gritty and loose. Thank God everything seems to have worked out with this new preamp (knock on wood). Now to buy more music. Thanks for all the help guys.