Depending on what you are using to drive the amp with in the first place, but usually a second box and another set of cables is the wrong answer. NO preamp is usually the ultimate preamp. Generally today, 95% of people spend 95% of their time listening to CD players, universal disk players, or DACs. That unit should be capable of driving any reasonable amp and should have a volume control onboard that is easy to use. Bringing in another box is not the fix. Replace or modify one or the other.