If the passive pre can be gotten on an 'in home trial' that will settle things for you entirely.
I've had both types of systems... I went from balanced to SE not long ago.... The one item I need to mention is my source (s) even during the use of an all balanced power train, remained the exact same, and were used in SE config.
So pre to amp (s) was balanced... source to pre was unbalanced.
When I migrated into all SE I first replaced the preamp, but kept the amp... and used adapters. Noise was not at that point an issue. the sound quality was very much improved upon as the preamp change out was a substantial one. I was very happy at that point.
Then I decided to go all tubes in the power train, and replaced the SS XLR amp with SE Tube monos. So I did. I also replaced the speakers as well.. the speaker change was a significant step up without question and provided greater eff ratings too.
Now with tube monos and a tube pre, far more eff speakers, yet the same source... noise still is a non issue though somewhat more noticeable than the half and half sys... along the way from all XLR to all SE... some greater noise was present... so greater attendance to tube selection is of greater import.
I can't stress enough though, the detected 'noise' level? Was a minor tradeoff. Never does it interfere with the music. In fact in my rig, the only time I can now detect it is by getting very, close to the speakers and only THEN DURING SILENT (no music) interludes.
From my LP, again, it's a non thing for me, as the overall imcreases to the presentation far and away offset the meager increase in near nondetectable 'noise'. IMHO.
I'd be more worried about matching the input - output impedance of the preamp - amp matching.... and again with the sources too. Ask the maker of the amp about it's synergy with passive preamps.... but noise? That is a more subjective item.
Good luck.
I've had both types of systems... I went from balanced to SE not long ago.... The one item I need to mention is my source (s) even during the use of an all balanced power train, remained the exact same, and were used in SE config.
So pre to amp (s) was balanced... source to pre was unbalanced.
When I migrated into all SE I first replaced the preamp, but kept the amp... and used adapters. Noise was not at that point an issue. the sound quality was very much improved upon as the preamp change out was a substantial one. I was very happy at that point.
Then I decided to go all tubes in the power train, and replaced the SS XLR amp with SE Tube monos. So I did. I also replaced the speakers as well.. the speaker change was a significant step up without question and provided greater eff ratings too.
Now with tube monos and a tube pre, far more eff speakers, yet the same source... noise still is a non issue though somewhat more noticeable than the half and half sys... along the way from all XLR to all SE... some greater noise was present... so greater attendance to tube selection is of greater import.
I can't stress enough though, the detected 'noise' level? Was a minor tradeoff. Never does it interfere with the music. In fact in my rig, the only time I can now detect it is by getting very, close to the speakers and only THEN DURING SILENT (no music) interludes.
From my LP, again, it's a non thing for me, as the overall imcreases to the presentation far and away offset the meager increase in near nondetectable 'noise'. IMHO.
I'd be more worried about matching the input - output impedance of the preamp - amp matching.... and again with the sources too. Ask the maker of the amp about it's synergy with passive preamps.... but noise? That is a more subjective item.
Good luck.