CDP or DAC with high end volume control

Ayre CODEX. 

Spring $49 for the Schiit Sys passive, which is also refundable.
http://http//schiit.com/products/sys

Or go the switchable passive or tube output Saga $349 refundable.
http://schiit.com/products/saga

Or the switchable passive, tube or solid state output Freya $699 refundable.
 http://schiit.com/products/freya 

Cheers George

Thanks George, but I'm trying not to add another piece of equipment. Would actually prefer to get the same quality with one piece altogether, but haven't found anything suitable yet.
And a remote is a must, cedargrover. ;)

Ok, Ayre QX-5 then!  :)

Hi Reverendo,

I totally forgot about this thread, since I did not get any replies when I originally posted in 2014.  Interesting this thread picked up a bit.  In a round about way, a dealer sent me a PM this morning, and referenced this thread, which is the reason I even found it again now.  

There have been some changes to my setup since I last posted.  I am currently using a Aqua La Scala mk2 with a Tortuga LDR passive preamp.  Although the La Scala is very good, I feel it is not resolving some details, and the high end appears slightly rolled off.  The presentation is a tad forward for my taste as well.  Of course, there are a whole lot of positives to list about this DAC too.  I'm also not completely sure that the passive preamp and/or cables may not be causing the rolloff and lack of detail.  I haven't played around with my setup much to see.  In comparison, my old Resolution Audio Opus 21, with GNSC upgrade, (going direct to amp) does not exhibit such deficiencies.  

I'm in the process of trying out an active tube preamp (Linear Tube Audio MZ2-S).  It is on order, to be delivered some time this month.  Once I get this into the fold, I will evaluate the passive vs. active preamp situation in my setup, and I'll be better able to tell whether the deficiencies I've noted are related to the DAC or elsewhere.

I've also tried a Vitus RD-100 (direct to amp connected), and although it is very good as well, the sound stage was a bit narrower and less spacious than with the Aqua in my setup (Aqua going through passive preamp).  The dealer I bought the Vitus from said he was using an active preamp with it.  In my brief listening, I also felt that the Vitus would open up with a good preamp behind it.  Since I still have the Vitus (haven't been able to sell it yet), I'll probably try it out again with my active preamp.

So, in summary, I'm still looking for the right combination of front end pieces.  I'm still looking to try out a few more DACs in the process as well.  Since I have a few more pieces of audio gear than when I started out on this journey a couple years ago, I have a lot more options now.  Of course, I would still prefer the most simplistic DAC to amp setup, for cost and other reasons, if I could achieve the best sound that way too.

just saw the answers now. it's a pity that agon doesn't offer an alert when new answers are posted on threads we participate in. hope you are listening, agon developers.
@cedargrover I do see now that I might have been unclear in stating my interest: I'm looking for a DAC with integrated analogue pre as a one box solution, preferably with tubes. I already have a very good DAC with integrated digital volume control, but am thinking of switching to an amp + DAC w/ analogue pre. In that case the Ayre doesn't quite fit the intent, although it looks like a very interest
@manthik thanks for updating us. please report your experiments. the Vitus looks very interesting and always thought that it would fair better as a pre than as a DAC. your first-hand experience is appreciated.