@dbphd Nearly all preamps will be able to handle a balanced input impedance of 100K with no problem. And that is certainly true in the case of the Ayre KX-5 Twenty, which per Stereophile's measurements has a balanced output impedance of about 156 ohms at all audible frequencies.
However, I see in those measurements that the Ayre provides essentially zero gain for its balanced output (and negative gain from its unbalanced input to its unbalanced output). While your JC2 BP provides 14 db of gain (with its volume control at max). So with the Ayre you will find yourself having to turn the volume control up to a significantly higher position than you are used to.
If the minimum setting of the volume control on the JC2 BP is around the 6:30 or 7 o'clock position, and the maximum setting is around the 5 or 5:30 o'clock position, a 14 db change probably corresponds to a little more than 90 degrees of rotation. If you presently use volume control settings in the top third or so of the range of the volume control on the JC2 BP, the Ayre's lack of gain would be a definite concern.
Best regards,
-- Al
However, I see in those measurements that the Ayre provides essentially zero gain for its balanced output (and negative gain from its unbalanced input to its unbalanced output). While your JC2 BP provides 14 db of gain (with its volume control at max). So with the Ayre you will find yourself having to turn the volume control up to a significantly higher position than you are used to.
If the minimum setting of the volume control on the JC2 BP is around the 6:30 or 7 o'clock position, and the maximum setting is around the 5 or 5:30 o'clock position, a 14 db change probably corresponds to a little more than 90 degrees of rotation. If you presently use volume control settings in the top third or so of the range of the volume control on the JC2 BP, the Ayre's lack of gain would be a definite concern.
Best regards,
-- Al