Emotiva DC1 is a great choice, same volume control chip as some $20,000 preamp...
If money is no object, then NOS R2R + resistor ladder volume control (Eg: Goldpoint). The XLR cable also matters a lot, go with UPOCC copper wire, traditional stranded twisted shielded design, eg: Neotech.
If money is no object, then NOS R2R + resistor ladder volume control (Eg: Goldpoint). The XLR cable also matters a lot, go with UPOCC copper wire, traditional stranded twisted shielded design, eg: Neotech.