If you want to stick with tubes, a lower gain unit such as the Transcendent Grounded Grid Preamp (12dB) (not 'high end' enough for some, but there are others) may help.
A 'giveaway' to having too much gain would be limited useful volume control range. If going past 9 o'clock causes your ears to bleed or the police to be summoned, that could be the smoking gun.
I like tubes but am unwilling to put up with all the drama they involve.