dumb question...I apologize

Derbim, what you're proposing is exactly how stand-alone phono stages are designed to work. A phono pre bumps up to 'line' voltage suitable for a line pre-amp, just like, say, a CDP.

Almost none of them have a vol control anyway so you could not go direct to amp.

No need to apologize -- as the saying goes "the only dumb question is the one not asked."

Phono stages are typically designed to work into line-level inputs of line stage preamps. Occasionally situations will crop up where mm cartridges have greater than average output and all of the electronic components have greater than average gains or sensitivities, resulting in mismatch problems, but those situations are unusual.

Your Bryston amp does not appear to be unduly sensitive, and in fact gives you some flexibility by providing sensitivity that is selectable between two settings. I think it's very unlikely that you'll have a problem, but for added confirmation you might want to post back indicating the model of your preamp and cartridge, and your candidate phono stage(s) when you've selected them.

Regards,
-- Al

PS Audio phono stage has a volume control, and is well reviewed for it's retail price of $999.

Buff, have you noticed how difficult it is to find non-well-reviewed components? :)

Derbim, in my experience most all phono preamps have less gain than CD players. So I very much doubt too much gain will be an issue - depending on your cartridge.

Also, how will you decide which LP's you'll carry to your vacation house? (now this probably IS a dumb question) This, and the notion of schlepping them back ad forth is why I've decided to keep the vinyl at home. I just take my laptop and use it as a source, along with a collection of CD's I've burned. Since I have a spare table I am always tempted to set it up at my other place, except for that issue.