The weak link could be the "volume controlled DAC." That is a hard thing to pull off successfully without degrading the signal. I am using Metrum's Adagio DAC, which controls the volume by adjusting the reference voltage so the control is outside of the signal path. Steve Nugent does the same thing with his
Empirical Audio®
line of DACs.
Both of those solutions are well above your price point. In addition, even at the relatively high cost level of the Adagio, I have found my system sounds better by running the signal from the DAC through a high quality unity-gain buffer before the amps.
If you believe you will be satisfied with the sound quality coming from the volume-controlled DAC you are considering, one option would be to add a buffer such as Tortuga Audio's tube buffer ($1,500) or the Pass B1 buffer ($-various). Another option would be to purchase a DAC that does not control volume and then purchase a preamp that does what you want. There is an interesting looking DIY Transcendent Sound grounded grid preamp with a Goldpoint stepped attenuator at US Audio Mart now for $600, as just one example. Another consideration is Tortuga Audio's new preamp ($3K) which is a combination of their LDA volume control and their tube buffer. There are many possibilities but be aware the (non-buffered) passives such as the Luminous Audio Axiom II mentioned previously may not do what you want with respect to drive and body. Read the passive vs. active threads here for more information about that issue.
Both of those solutions are well above your price point. In addition, even at the relatively high cost level of the Adagio, I have found my system sounds better by running the signal from the DAC through a high quality unity-gain buffer before the amps.
If you believe you will be satisfied with the sound quality coming from the volume-controlled DAC you are considering, one option would be to add a buffer such as Tortuga Audio's tube buffer ($1,500) or the Pass B1 buffer ($-various). Another option would be to purchase a DAC that does not control volume and then purchase a preamp that does what you want. There is an interesting looking DIY Transcendent Sound grounded grid preamp with a Goldpoint stepped attenuator at US Audio Mart now for $600, as just one example. Another consideration is Tortuga Audio's new preamp ($3K) which is a combination of their LDA volume control and their tube buffer. There are many possibilities but be aware the (non-buffered) passives such as the Luminous Audio Axiom II mentioned previously may not do what you want with respect to drive and body. Read the passive vs. active threads here for more information about that issue.