Good move, Mike.
I actually prefer the sound of my lower priced preamp......the one with the "inferior" and non-audiophile approved continuous volume control. 
The volume pot isn't everything, and as you say, there are more important things to worry about than the ability to achieve the desired volume!
It's not about volume level. It's about transparency which is more in the category of sound quality. Audiophile approved. 
Why don't you get rid of your tube amps and turntable too?
Actually, one could go ahead and get the amp with the cheap pot and later experiment with the stepped pot posted above and judge with your own ears. It's only $25; not exactly a snotty audiophile price. It did make a noticeable difference in sound quality according to my ears. Much greater improvement than any audiophile sanctioned power cord. 
YMMV.
-Roy
I agree that transparency is
an issue. But you cannot say it is not about volume level. It may not be everything, but it is certainly a consideration. If you ever had a unit where precise control was a problem, you would understand that.
But my main point was.......
That my current line stage with the continuous volume control
and the cheaper price tag sounds better to me than my previous one which was pricier and had a stepped volume pot. When choosing a line section, there are more things to consider than the type of volume pot. Choosing one over another simply because its volume control is stepped is not wise, and does not always equate to better sound. The whole is sometimes more than the sum of the parts.
Now, if I were to add a stepped pot to my current line section would it sound better? Maybe. Actually, probably yes. I was not disputing that.
I was merely saying that it is possible to get a continuous volume control unit that sounds better than one with a stepped pot. I also meant to say (but was probably unclear) that even if a particular unit sounds just slightly marginally better with a stepped pot vs a continuous one, it is conceivable that one would
still prefer the continuous control for the greater precision and flexibility it provides in achieving desired listening levels. It all depends on your priorities, if you tend to listen low level, and if your system (and hearing) is even revealing enough to highlight subtle differences.
It is not black and white that a stepped control is
always "better".
My opinion and choice of wording (ie:
audiophile approved) seems to have ruffled your feathers.
I chose that phrase simply to mean what is generally accepted without question in the audio community as being sonically superior. No disrespect intended.
And I do agree with your rec about adding the stepped control later and deciding for yourself. It is certainly a cheap and reasonable approach.
PS: I did not realize that tube amps and turntables were "audiophile approved". Where does that leave all those that tend to prefer SS and digital?
