to volume pot or not to volume pot


I am getting the EAR 834-P MM/MC. I do not know whether to get the volume pot or not. I will be using it almost exclusively with a separate pre amp. Is there any difference in the sound between the two? One review I read stated "the black 834P without the volume pot is the wisest-choice cost and sound wise". Is this the common opinion? cost is not an issue.
Thanks in advance.
birdmanpa
Post removed 
If there's an audible difference between the volume model and the standard model, I'll give you a Golden Ears award. There's obviously more "stuff" in the volume model, but it amounts to an extra inch of wire and a potentiometer. If you plan to use the volume control, get that model. If not, get the standard unit.

The volume model gives you the opportunity to eliminate your preamp, but I doubt that will give the best results. Are you familiar with passive preamps? That's what the 834P volume becomes in this situation. In theory, it seems smart to reduce the number of components in the signal path, but an active preamp does something the 834P doesn't do. It controls the impedance of the signal running through the cable and keeps it stable. Passive preamps are notorious for sounding thin in the bass and mid bass because they can't control these impedance fluctuations. It's best to hear these things first-hand rather than from some stranger. If you have the opportunity to listen to a passive preamp, you should do so before deciding on the 834P.
Won't the volume pot function as an adjustable gain ? This might be convenient!!

"The EAR's voltage gain measured 49.2dB moving-magnet, 68.2dB moving-coil. These are very high values, particularly for the MM; typically, the gain in MM gain stages is 35–40dB, and 55–65dB in MCs. I don't anticipate this high gain to cause any problems, but I'd check to make sure that it won't overload my line preamp"----Thomas J. Norton