Help! Looking for a DAC with some unique ablities...


Ok, maybe I'm wrong in thinking unique. Here's the situation:

Currently using a Bluesound to Luxman CL-38uc to a pair of Luxman M383 driving Eggleston Works Andra 2.

On the one hand I want to upgrade the DAC and possibly streamer side of things (I'm willing to continue using tthe Bluesound for streaming and upgrade that down the road)

On the other hand the one aspect of using the Bluedude that I really don't want to give up is the ability to use the app from anywhere in the house and control what I listen to and the volume. (I leave the preamp volume at a high level and then the Bluedude can control the volume with the variable out.)  Far from the best option for sound quality but it sure makes life easy! 

So... Is there a DAC out there that has a phone app to control it and variable balanced outputs?

A second option could be a combined streamer/DAC I suppose that has a phone app and variable balanced outputs.

I know ultimately all are compromised options vs sending the processed signal directly to the pre-amp and then utlizing the volume knob on the preamp. But when I'm listening to music 40-50 feet away (not sitting in the music seat!) then the abilitiy to control the music trumps the quality. Still I'd like to do what I can to limit the qualiy losses and improve what I have.

Any good opinions out there?

Thanks, E.

everhard

@ericrhodes1 use a usb cable so you can add another box? 

He has some pretty nice gear fronted by a very mid-fi streamer. If he really wants to stick with the Bluesound, he can up the quality with a DDC. Unnecessarily complicated to the untrained eye, but it is the kind of thing audiophiles do.

Can anyone explain how you can use a digital volume control without losing bits and reducing both dynamic range and resolution?

 

You might look at the Schiit Gungnir 2 DAC with the Forkbeard module.  Balanced outputs and with the Forkbeard app, you have preamp control and equalization.  I have one and am using it only as a DAC, but the sound in my system is simply wonderful.