Tnanks for the responses. Keep em' coming.
I have no idea how good or bad the Lumin Leed h voume control is in the grand scheme of things. The Lumin S1 was their top of the line/flagship offering prior to the X-1. In the menu it has a setting for "Analog Output Level" and has "Normal" or "Low" for choices. Not sure if that has anything to do with what @atmasphere Ralph mentioned about the balanced output.
Seems like results can vary quite a bit and nothing definite either for or against a preamp. This is going to turn into an experiment. Yes, @vair68robert: I don't care what people have to say: tone control would be great and same goes for balance and a/b speakers, channel gain (MP-3 has this), balanced, tube, and with a remote control for volume.
I see PS audio has a no hassle trial period. Upscale Audio has a trial also, but not sure if theirs is hassle free or credit towards something else, restock, etc. Any input on the BHK preamp? I also have my previous integrated amp that I need to sell. PS audio take trades, so maybe that could workout. Moonshot here, but if anyone in Socal has an MP-3 sitting around that I can borrow, let me know. I'll pay. That would be fantastic and would put this whole thing to rest. If you know any other companies offer a no hassle/ no strings attached trials, please let me know. Whether new or used, I am not interested in purchasing something to find out waste of money and then be stuck with sitting on it and having to deal with selling it. Also what about these Vincent ones or Zesto? Will they be synergistic with Atma-Sphere or should i only stick to Atma-Sphere since that's probably what they are designed for?