You could be loading the preamp output so that frequency response is changed. But it also could be that you are simply limiting the drive signal to the main amp, possibly preventing it from being overdriven.

If you want, we can put the scope and generator on it next week and find out which is the case.

Wayne

You can match impedance between the output stage of one amp to the input stage of the next amp to obtain maximum power transfer between stages. Or you can connect a low output impedance of an amp to a high input impedance of the next stage to obtain maximum voltage transfer. Both are acceptable methods, and each will work just fine depending on what you are trying to do. The one thing you don't want to do is to connect an amp with high source impedance to a low impedance load.

If the output device characteristics aren't known, it can be checked with a test load resistor using a scope to see how much voltage drop results. Using a test signal at bandwidth extremes, one can also find out where is rolls off and if this frequency changes with different load resistances. A CD player, tape player or turntable require test disk, tape or record to provide the signal. But for a preamp or main amp, a signal generator can be used instead.