Problem with preamp volume control

As a point of information, the preamp was fairly recently Teflon recapped by Conrad-Johnson. 

I just had a long conversation with a CJ tech. He said that an attenuator is very feasible in the line stage but not in the phono stage.
He was very interested in getting me to buy a new CJ preamp.  So I don’t know if that had any influence on his advice. Basically he said get a new cartridge or a new preamp.
 

My setup includes a Benchmark AHB 2 amplifier and GoldenEar Triton 1 speakers.
The line stage gain is 27 Db
The phono stage is listed as:
High gain 54 Db
Low gain 40 Db
I don’t know why there is a high and a low gain listing for the phono stage.
Is there a setting for this?
I don’t hear any distortion whatsoever.
I don’t mind the low setting.  I just would like more play in the volume control.
Right now, minuscule turns achieve large changes in volume.
i wouldn’t know how to attach an attenuator. I will call CJ and see if I can get Help

Antinn,

I had forgotten about those Benchmark settings.  Thanks, so much, for bringing that up.  It just might be the solution!

Lewm,

I think you’re right.
 It’s sounding even better.

Al,

 Thanks, as usual, for your valuable advice.  Hopefully, the amp settings will do the trick.

Richard

Well, the amp settings did the trick.
Of course, in the back of my mind is Benchmark’s recommendation, which I’ll have to forget about.
I think the problem is solved.
It still sounds great!

Thanks to all, especially antinn and Al.

Viva Benchmark!

Antinn,

I have to thank you so much for your reminder that the Benchmark had three gain settings. I have much more control and seemingly more headroom in the sound now.
Without your post I would  probably be caught up in some convoluted solutions, 
This way, all I had to do is flip a switch.
You made a big difference!

Al,

I was hoping you would see this post.
Thank you much for the reassurance!

Richard

I was just reading the Benchmark manual and came across a potential problem.
It says:

“If you are using an unbalanced input, you must use one of the top two switch positions.” (Must underlined.)

 My CJ only has RCA outputs which connect to the Benchmark inputs with RCA plugs.
 I’ve just switched to the bottom switch position (lowest gain.)
 The SQ is just fine.
But am I doing something wrong vis-a-vis the manual?
 

I phoned Benchmark
They corroborated that, with my preamp, there’s nothing wrong with putting the sensitivity switch in the lowest position if I’m getting enough volume.