Which preamp for a pass labs?

If I had to choose between an ARC LS 25 Mk2 andd a Pass Labs XC-10 (or -12), I'd get a Herron Audio VTSP-360.  Smokes both and takes no prisoners.  No point in using "balanced cables" since they do nothing at all to improve the quality of a standard 2-conductor.  All the "balanced" hype is pure BS. 

My OPINION....  Even if electronics are fully balanced from end-to-end, it doesn't matter.  The "balanced" effect is all myth and hype.  Noise is NOT appreciably reduced since it is in the system REGARDLESS of the design of the interconnects.  It is just there.  Shielding is the only way to help reduce noice, but it will not STOP noise.  So the bottom line is balanced is a complete myth and waste of money.  Better to spend money on good single-ended components with top performance rather than wasting it on balanced components.