My system is too loud

The volume on my system begins abruptly at a normal listening level on my preamp and goes up. My system doesn't play at all at low volume. I have a dehavilland mercury preamp. a pilinius Koru phono preamp, response audio 60W amp and sonist concerto 3s (fairly efficient speakers). I just substituted the pilinius for a pro-ject seII. It sounds fine but won't play softly. (I need it to play at low volume because I am in an apartment) I have a clearaudio wood MM virchuoso cartridge. I've lowered the gain to 50 from 56. Still too loud.