Phono stage with gain control?


I think I remember a thread about this not long ago but can't find it.
What would be a good phono stage with gain controls so the preamp could be eliminated all together? I would like to keep the cost around $1000.00 or less. Would prefer tube as well.
Has anyone had luck with no preamp?
dean_fuller
The EAR 834P comes with and without a gain control. I tried running my own vinyl setup this way, using a Moscode SuperIt with gain control directly into my power amps. Sounded like hell -- limited dynamics, no richness or body -- compared to using an active linestage. Good luck, Dave
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Maybe I missed something, but a phono stage with a gain control is called a preamp.