The amp mates up very well with everything I have put to it directly. And yes it has the volume control option. It is also heavily modded with the best parts. In fact I had an Ayre K-1XE preamp before, it was more transparent and better sounding without the Ayre. I have tried lots of combos. Had lots of gear, and lots of experience building and repairing electronics.
I have Martin Logan Monolith 3 speakers, they have no problem with electrostatics, 8 watts is pretty loud. My TTW Gem 2 turntable, ZYX Fuji Gold cartridge, Manley Chinook phono pre combo direct to amp sound really good and have much more bass and mids even at low volumes where the Yggy I find is very weak. You have to really play the Yggy loud to feel like the bass is going to low powerful levels.
I have Martin Logan Monolith 3 speakers, they have no problem with electrostatics, 8 watts is pretty loud. My TTW Gem 2 turntable, ZYX Fuji Gold cartridge, Manley Chinook phono pre combo direct to amp sound really good and have much more bass and mids even at low volumes where the Yggy I find is very weak. You have to really play the Yggy loud to feel like the bass is going to low powerful levels.