Phono pre-amps with volume control

Aesthetix IO with Volume

JJ243 Preamp has an excellent phono stage in it, and you can run it with just the phono stage, with the phono stage and volume control, and Phono stage, volume control, and another gain stage, so you can accomodae low output cartridges. I am running mine into my Theta GenVIII analog input section. JJ was all the rage for a bit a number of years ago. They dont get much press anymore, but I have and very much enjoy their243 in my main system as a phono stage and their 828 integrated in my 2d system. They are imported by Eurotubes.

Art Audio Vinyl One (tube) works terrific for me. I had the PS GCPH and wasn't really impressed with it. The A.A.V.O. has room to grow as (if) you upgrade your system in the future. It's less costly than the Steelhead but more than the PS GCPH.

Since you're mentioning the Steelhead I'm guessing your also looking into a finer quality table set up. The Art Audio Reference and the top-of-the-line K&K Audio units offer even finer quality audio reproduction and reportedly perform equal to or even better than much higher priced units.

Thank you all for the great suggestions. This gives me a place to start.

The two best in the planet are the Tidal Preos and the Sovereign Director. No comparison with these two...