learn a specification of your source components and power amplifier in terms of output voltage and input sensitivity/impedance first.
Some of the Cary amps as an example, have an input sensitivity of 9v, and there is no source component that I do know that can provide such an output voltage(up to 12V adjustable) to drive this kind of amp(s) without preamplification.
Almost all tube amps have impedance >=100kOhms and can be easily driven with passive preamp. SS can go as low as 10kOhms on the input; in this case you will not be able to setup a passive volume control for a sufficient amplitude bandwidth to control your volume with just attenuator.
But some SS-amp have input impedace >=50k which is sufficient enough to use with passive preamp.
Once you've jumped to the conclusion of having a passive preamp meaning that you've matched your source components and power amplifier, you'll need just to listen and compare. If you'll be dissapointed, there is nothing to worry about since most of the SS-output suorce components have a negative feedback applied to stabilize the output voltage which gives you a large lack of the dynamics(which is corrected by an active preamp). In this case the tubed output source components will be your best bet with passive preamps since tubes do not need an application of large negative feedback.
The source that I've grabbed this explaination is a)other audiogon forums, b)DIY experience c)listening experience. It is OK to ask a question(s) to get answers on New Today forums.
Some of the Cary amps as an example, have an input sensitivity of 9v, and there is no source component that I do know that can provide such an output voltage(up to 12V adjustable) to drive this kind of amp(s) without preamplification.
Almost all tube amps have impedance >=100kOhms and can be easily driven with passive preamp. SS can go as low as 10kOhms on the input; in this case you will not be able to setup a passive volume control for a sufficient amplitude bandwidth to control your volume with just attenuator.
But some SS-amp have input impedace >=50k which is sufficient enough to use with passive preamp.
Once you've jumped to the conclusion of having a passive preamp meaning that you've matched your source components and power amplifier, you'll need just to listen and compare. If you'll be dissapointed, there is nothing to worry about since most of the SS-output suorce components have a negative feedback applied to stabilize the output voltage which gives you a large lack of the dynamics(which is corrected by an active preamp). In this case the tubed output source components will be your best bet with passive preamps since tubes do not need an application of large negative feedback.
The source that I've grabbed this explaination is a)other audiogon forums, b)DIY experience c)listening experience. It is OK to ask a question(s) to get answers on New Today forums.