Basically the VC on an amp is nothing more or less than a 'passive line stage' without more inputs/outputs and one less set of IC's. If you have one with a high quality VC and only one source you MAY like it better than using a pre-amp. Personally I wouldn't be without an active pre-amp and I certainly would not want a 2d VC in the chain. Boils down the the active v passive issues discussed here so often.
