The problem is that a passive volume control isn't a bit of wire. If it were, it would not have a resistance value.
And to all, active preamps have volume controls as well, and most times not as good quality as the better passives pre's usually use. Also active pre's use many other distorting/colouring components in them.
At least passive pre's usually only have a quality pot, which is why they are the closest in sound to going direct (a straight piece of wire)
when used correctly.
And balanced is not needed if you only use <3mts interconnect, and in many case better as the balance inputs and outputs on many pieces of equipment, are opamps to make them balanced, when their true circuit is not, so your better off using the single ended inputs on those, again a more direct path, instead of going through opamp etc for balanced
Cheers George