I sold a CAT SL-1 III with factory simplified signal path and went to an AHT DM-P phono preamp, which I built a super high quality stepped attenuator into (making a chassis that held them both). In general, if you can do this or have it done, I'd recommend a good phono stage with sufficient gain (like the Pass Aleph Ono) and NO active preamp, just a stepped attenuator built in (in the sense that no additional cable or connectors are used). I've never looked back with any regrets, though people rave about the CAT's phono stage. I couldn't put up with using its inferior volume control. I can get away with no active preamp, however, only because my CD player goes straight into a power amp, which lots of them do these days. And I do have to change cables between CD's and LP's, which some would regard as too inconvenient.
