I use a PSAudio Airlens streamer to a PSAudio Directstream DAC to a Pass Labs XA-25 amp it sounds very good. I have no intention of adding a pre amp. You can get some very good deals on a used DSA Mrk I. I am going to add my OPPO 105 for CD to the mix but have not considered adding a turntable or researched the possibility of connecting one to the DAC if vinyl is in the equation for you.
How to set up volume control on a DAC without a preamp
I am creating my system and trying to decide on a DAC. I don't have a preamp at this time and the preamps I am looking at are quite expensive. Several DAC's that i'm looking at doesn't have volume control either. Is it possible to set up volume control in ROON or HQ Player until I can get the money together for the preamp?