Lutry,
Congrats getting the system to where it sounds good to you. I found a CSP  2+ preamp that I liked. A couple months ago I replaced it with an Icon 4PRO, and have not looked back. I think it's worthy of your consideration with a Sarah.

That said. . . I recently have discovered that a preamp actually made my system sound a bit worse in comparison to the SEWE300B without a preamp. Steve built I think the perfect preamp stage into the SEWE300B and I won't need a preamp again. A ZBIT, a ZROCK2. . . yes. They both add wonderful characteristics.

If you are truly needing remote control for volume, I would personally recommend the most transparent and neutral (perhaps passive or transformer based?) possible.

Lutry,

Keep an eye out for a sale as a used preamp.  I got mine for about a third less than retail.  I took it on faith from reports on the Decware Forum that it would be a good buy.  In addition, I was happy with what I had before, so it still seemed like a big jump.  If you are not in a rush, you will see one pop up.

Good luck!

I tried using my Luxman L507z as a pre-amp.

Sometimes it works, some tracks it just falls flat. It's really difficult to describe, but it almost feels like I'm listening to the negative feedback the Luxmans are known for.

It may be the tubes or the Sarah breaking in, but the wife also joined in after I removed the Luxman from the chain.

I'm considering the Spatial Audio Ravens. The customer reviews so far have been brilliant, and rather than just getting a Khozmo volume control, made some sense (in my crazy mind) to get this preamp to complete the Western Electric train.