Phono preamp connected directly to amps?

The volume control is on my amp (Sophia Baby). TTVJ phono hybrid preamp feeds it directly.

I use a PS Audio GCPH running directly into a Nobis Contigore tube amp and it sounds great. very detailed and liquid. The GCPH has a volume control, plus easily variable loading and gain, so its easy to find a range of amplificatioin that suits your amp. there are plenty of mods available to improve the GCPH too.

Doesn't the Anthem have volume control? If so, I'm not sure I understand why the Placette is in the chain.

Can you audition any items? You certainly have more options if volume control isn't needed, but there are a few threads here where people laud a couple phono stages w/pots.

There's a Quicksilver Full Function Preamp at the marketplace right now, just in case matching appeals to you at all. Otherwise, it seems that you'd rather move away from "full function" anyway.