Question about Topping Pre90, preamplifier (impedance)

[audio52]

Question about Topping Pre90, preamplifier (impedance)

This product seems to be well suited for my needs. It gives enough output power to professional active speakers. It has relay volyme control and it wont add any extra noise to the sound. It also has small footprint.

There is actually only one big question why I havent bought it yet. Is it compatible with other brands products? How about impedance problem? What are the optimum impedance numbers if Topping would like to improve this product in the future with this aspect also? (I dont understand this impedance thing yet).

(Of course there is also problem with the remote control sensor, which is not on the line with the product performance and the remote control feels also very plastic/cheap.)

I appreciate long lasting and durable product. I hate Planned obsolescence.

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About Topping Pre90, preamplifier impedance issue:

B

'Denafrips Ares II + Topping Pre90 impedance issue'

Jun 14, 2022

Hi,

So, I have the Denafrips Ares II DAC that I really like. I used to use it on my Aiyima 07 integrated amp since it has a volume control, but I recently got a VTV Purifi (EVAL1 buffer) amp that I love too, but, now I have to control the volume on the Ares 2. For that I recently got the Topping Pre90 preamp to be able to use it as an XLR preamp with volume control.

But, after that I notice that this combination doesn't sound right. After some reading and digging on the Pre90 review post I learned that it is an impedance mismatch between the Ares 2 and the Pre90. Sorry for my own...

• bsas
• Replies: 43
• Forum: DACs, Streamers, Servers, Players, Audio Interface

 

[MaxwellsEq]

Question about Topping Pre90, preamplifier (impedance)

This product seems to be well suited for my needs. It gives enough output power to professional active speakers. It has relay volyme control and it wont add any extra noise to the sound. It also has small footprint.

There is actually only one big question why I havent bought it yet. Is it compatible with other brands products? How about impedance problem? What are the optimum impedance numbers if Topping would like to improve this product in the future with this aspect also? (I dont understand this impedance thing yet).

(Of course there is also problem with the remote control sensor, which is not on the line with the product performance and the remote control feels also very plastic/cheap.)

I appreciate long lasting and durable product. I hate Planned obsolescence.

---

About Topping Pre90, preamplifier impedance issue:

B

'Denafrips Ares II + Topping Pre90 impedance issue'

Jun 14, 2022

Hi,

So, I have the Denafrips Ares II DAC that I really like. I used to use it on my Aiyima 07 integrated amp since it has a volume control, but I recently got a VTV Purifi (EVAL1 buffer) amp that I love too, but, now I have to control the volume on the Ares 2. For that I recently got the Topping Pre90 preamp to be able to use it as an XLR preamp with volume control.

But, after that I notice that this combination doesn't sound right. After some reading and digging on the Pre90 review post I learned that it is an impedance mismatch between the Ares 2 and the Pre90. Sorry for my own...

• bsas
• Replies: 43
• Forum: DACs, Streamers, Servers, Players, Audio Interface

This is all about Impedance Bridging. Here's a Wikipedia page

Impedance bridging - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The generally accepted rule of thumb is the input impedance of the second device in a chain should be 10 x the output impedance of the first item.

The Pre90 has a relatively low (compared to the general market place) input impedance. It's not too low since I would expect most well designed CD players and DACs to cope with lower input impedances. A badly designed DAC with too high an output impedance or insufficient current drive in its output stage may have issues.