Tube Preamp and SS Amps - How?

Here's the missing bit of info:
if the ratio of the pre's output impedance vs. amp's input impedance is marginal, then keep the interconnects SHORT. 2 meters or less is recommended. If you have to have long interconnects, your chances of success are better with a balanced (XLR/XLR) system. Worst case scenario: preamp w/ 500 ohm output impedance driving 20 ft of RCA/RCA cable into an amp w/ 10k ohm input impedance.
Best of luck,
Joe

Folks it is not only the impedance matching you should take into the consideration.

In general SS amps give out full power with just 1V or bellow at input and tube preamps might have an extraneous gain. Many tube preamps have can be noisy if paired with sencitive SS amps at low volume levels. The good solution is to have a low gain tube preamp with SS power amps.

So wouldn't passive preamps work best?

I'd say that with SS that have >=47K impedance passives will do the best job for the money invested indeed.

Wow! Have I got a lot to learn! I just have an integrated MAC MA6450. I was thinking about trying to use the amp section from that with some sort of an entry level tube preamp (Cary, C-J, Rogue??). Then eventually upgrade to a real SS power amp. Or, just sell the integrated and start over.

Any suggestions for a $2500 - $3000 set up (used)? Headphone and phono would be pluses!

Thanks-

John