How to control volume for DAC with no volume control

you can connect the dac to a passive preamp, which is just a volume control - schitt makes a very reasonably priced one

The only way would be to use the volume on the software.  My amp has a volume attenuator so I can run it bypassed but not always.

Using digital volume attenuation is very lossy: you are much better off using a passive preamp.

what is your digital source?

I have a Bluesound Node.

I was going to try to get a topping D70s or D90 but they seem to be impossible to find now.

Now I am looking at a Denafrips Ares II or maybe a MHDT pagoda.

I prioritize maximum detail.

I have a hefty power amp and Maggy 1.7i speakers.

I really want a remote for my volume control.   The cheap schiit volume control doesn't have a remote.   You have to go up to at least the $300 Saga to get a remote.

A passive preamp is your best bet. I used a DAC with a digital volume control, and it flat out sucked.... IMHO of course. This is a good example of a quality inexpensive passive preamp. It also has 2 outputs to run 2 amps.

Luminous Audio Axiom II Passive Preamp / Caddock resistor + 2 outputs upgrade | eBay

Get rid of the Node and replace it with a Lumin U-1 mini. You will kill two birds with one stone. The Lumin is better sounding than the Node when using a preamp. And all Lumin streamers have LEEDH processing built into their app. This is the best digital interface I've heard. You won't need a preamp using the Lumin app.

what are you playing on you Node - tidal, spotify….?

FYI, I own a Node and the Denafrips Ares II. If you use coax or optical into the DAC you can use the volume control in the Node software. If you use USB (which is for sure a better connection between the Node and Denafrips, look this up) you'll need a separate volume control. I use the USB connection and a pre-amp to control the volume. I've found that whenever I tried to go pre-amp less the sound was simply not as dynamic, full, or engaging. YMMV.

The Bluesound volume control sounds fine with connections to solid state amification.

 

Not so when utilizing a tube DAC with the balanced connections. Musical Paradise DAC

linestage (passive or active)

integrated amp

streamer control software, if volume control equipped

roon dsp (has built in volume control)

I just recently got into streaming.  Still, my cd player connected to the BS node sounds best to me.

Not sure what I am going to stream.   Would like to have MQA as an option.   I know it isn't with a lot of DACs.

Never noticed a loss of detail with digital volume control. Used Audiophilleo 1 (an excellent USB-SPDIF converter first and foremost) straight to First Watt SIT-2/3 for years and it sounded great. It has an IR receiver cable for remote control. Briefly added a Placette RVC, a highly regarded passive pre that worked well for me in the past, but found virtually no difference so I sold it. Used the digital volume control on the Weiss INT-202 sometime before that with great results as well. Currently have a dCS bartok and use its digital volume for fine tuned control since my preamp volume is sensitive. Never used strictly music player software volume control though.

However, adding a quality active preamp was always better.  The cost of an additional power cord and pair of interconnects is a not attractive.

I am presently running my dac direct using the software volume control of foobar and it sounds better than when I played with foobar full throttle and ran to a passive...actually much better