Tube Amp for Coda 8 Part 2

If you do not listen at very low volume, then the digital volume on the DAC should be good enough. The only DAC that had a volume control as good my best analogue preamp was the Lumin X1 DAC/Streamer with the Lindh volume control. That thing was almost perfect for volume but had some OCD gremlins that I am sure most would not have noticed or cared about.

Saying all that I always use a preamp, and all my DACs have no volume (a feature not a bug for me). I also listen at low volume on occasion, like tonight.

Another option is to get a Lumin U2 streamer (no DAC) and hook it up to your Bricasti DAC via AES, USB, etc. I am not a fan of Ethernet RJ45 streaming and the U2 will give you Fibre Optic streaming along with the Lindh volume control. You should be able to change the volume using the streamer if the Bricasti is set to fixed volume. I think I was able to also use my iPhone to adjust volume.

@yyzsantabarbara thx

@kds 

I have an M1 and Coda 8. Going direct gets sort of dry and flat. So I always use a tubed preamp for musicality. 

@bugredmachine Interesting, thanks. I see you have many systems, nice! Any fav tube pre?

Easy the LTA  mk2/  preamp David Berning design they use all top name brand 

and the key a resistor ladder, relay volume attenuator ,which is the best.

many known companies using junk Alps volume pots which are 2 plastic wipers with s conductive spray on them ,you loose a lot of micro details , keep that in mind in your search