“Folks using DACs with volume controls as the best solution are far between. To do this and have great sound is very expensive and requires extreme knowledge and dedication to do it.” Far from it. What is so hard, it’s actually easier to eliminate a preamp. Set the dac to variable output, use quality xlr cables from dac to the anp(s), and your done. If you get a quality dac, you can set attenuation on or off. I got rid of a top quality preamp and haven’t looked back.
If you are going all digital, the most important piece in your system is the dac IMO and could stay in your system longer than amps or speakers.
Preamp/DAC Suggestions
I'm currently using a Rogue Sphinx v2 as a preamp with a Mytek Brooklyn amp. Looking for ideas for preamps. I primarily stream Tidal/Qobuz from a BlueSound using a Schiit Multibit DAC but also have my tv plugged into the DAC and use the Rogue for volume control. Speakers are Focal Aria 926s. Looking for something that will give me a really quiet background and more soundstage. Also open to upgrading DAC if that's where I'll get more bang for buck. Budget is under $5000 for DAC and preamp. Other option would be upgrading the integrated and selling Rogue and Mytek, but I like being able to switch around pieces to play with the sound. I'm open to tubes or solid state but really like a totally dark background.