Hi, I always prefer just a good quality volume pot.
I don't understand why a pre-amp is required with all it's circuitry when the signal from the cd player is a couple of volts, easily enough.
Only record decks would need pre-amplification and I'm sure that a small dedicated simple amplifier could bring it's signal up to line level.
My kel 84 just has an Alps and my DIY Ferrograph amp has just a blue Alps.
Simple is always best
or that's what my GF say's to me, don't quite know what she's getting at
