Here are Stereophile's output impedance measurements for the SP16L line-stage preamp, for which the ARC specs are identical to what Mapman quoted:
http://www.stereophile.com/tubepoweramps/901/index6.html
The measurements indicate 262 ohms at mid and hi frequencies, and 549 ohms at 20Hz.
Into a 600 ohm load (sic), they measured a loss at 20Hz of only 2.5db (see Figure 1). By my calculations, into a 10K load the 549 ohm output impedance would result in a loss at 20Hz of less than 0.4db.
So the output circuit, and particularly the output coupling capacitor, of the SP16 appears to be designed more conservatively than in the case of most tube preamps. And the recommendation of a 20K minimum load appears to be conservative as well.
Regards,
-- Al
http://www.stereophile.com/tubepoweramps/901/index6.html
The measurements indicate 262 ohms at mid and hi frequencies, and 549 ohms at 20Hz.
Into a 600 ohm load (sic), they measured a loss at 20Hz of only 2.5db (see Figure 1). By my calculations, into a 10K load the 549 ohm output impedance would result in a loss at 20Hz of less than 0.4db.
So the output circuit, and particularly the output coupling capacitor, of the SP16 appears to be designed more conservatively than in the case of most tube preamps. And the recommendation of a 20K minimum load appears to be conservative as well.
Regards,
-- Al