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Preamp with Headphone Amp - Tech Considerations

I’m considering using a Hovland HP-100MC preamp to feed two sources into a Auralic Taurus MkII headphone amplifier. Is this acceptable assuming proper impedance matching and ensuring I don’t overdrive the headphone amp?

The output impedance on the Hovland is as high as 4300ohms @ 20Hz and the input impedance on the Taurus MkII is 100Kohm with the single ended input. So I don’t see an issue regarding impedance matching.

I was planning to set the volume on the hovland HP-100 at the 3 O’Clock position, which represents approximate unity gain (per Stereophile).

Are there any other issues I need to be aware of? I know I can just try it, but I wanted to start thinking about things before I start messing with my existing setup. Thanks.
cbl117
3 responses Add your response
erik_squires
16,049 posts
 
The rule of thumb is that amp input impedance should be 10x preamp output.

So, you want to keep your final impedance > 43kOhms

2 x 100kOhm inputs = 50kOhms, just above the line.


mechans
3,048 posts
 
Your ears will tell you as well, if you happen to own the equipment already.  I missed the input impedance statistic.
cbl117 OP
45 posts
 
Thanks for the responses.  I was hoping to get some insight regarding theoretical optimal volume setting on the Hovland HP-100.
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