Looking for a phono preamp that has volume control

@yogiboy and @charles1dad , thank you, great point to bring up.

Some homework will be needed. You will likely need a reasonably hi-gain phono preamp to enjoy a passive preamp such as the inexpensive SYS My understanding is that most out there qualify for that, but do your homework if you do decide to go the passive route.

Looking for a phono preamp that has volume control. I've gone digital and sold my preamp. I don't want to convert the analog to digital and play it thru my DAC. And I miss my records. So I'm looking suggestions, preferably tube phono preamp with volume control.

When we came out with our preamps, they were meant then and still are today as stand-alone phono reproducers. To that end they have a phono section, a volume control and otherwise the minimum amount of stuff so that they can drive a balanced interconnect to the amp.

But because they can do all this, they also work great with digital sources as all that is needed is the input on the back and a switch to go between phono and the other sources. So I really don't get the question here as many preamps are set up in just exactly this manner, unless its to eliminate the line section of the preamp to get more transparency.

So here are the functions of a line stage:1) provide and needed gain2) select inputs3) provide volume and balance control4) control the interconnect between the line stage and the amplifier

Of these, its 4) that is the least understood, even by preamp designers. If you've heard differences between interconnect cables then you know what I'm talking about here- preventing the cable from making or breaking the system is a pretty important function as its much easier to make the system be neutral and more transparent if this is done.

features? budget?

I am a fan of both remote volume and remote balance, of any source, while in listening position.

great points from atmasphere

i would only add that phono stage gain is the most precious of all gains since it magnifies the original and smallest signal

so having more gain than you need at this critical point often introduces noise or distortion that can otherwise be avoided if gain were to be optimized to the cartridge output and the rest of system

to have a lot of excess gain at the phono stage, then to use a passive or other attenuator to reduce it down significantly is, imho, a very unproductive exercise

RM-4 Music Reference, they still have some NOS w volume controls