Wendell, of course you are correct. How thick can I be? In that case, another alternative would be the Creek remote volume control in a box, I think it is the OBH 11 or OBH 12. Completely passive, so no active circitry will be added into the chain.
Whatever method is chosen, it may be of value to put it in the tape loop, instead of between preamp and amp, so that it can be defeated for critical listening, or when it is not required.
Thanks again for the correction.
Marty