Tubed DAC w Balanced Out & Volume Control

I would judge a dac by sound quality, and not some generic feature, but that's just me. The Aesthetix Pandora will meet all of your specifications. It may even sound good, too.

I would judge a dac by sound quality, and not some generic feature, but that's just me.
Zd542

It's not just you ZD.

Not sure of your budget, but the Cary DAC200ts fits what you are looking for.

http://www.caryaudio.com/products/dac-200ts-digital-to-analog-converter/

***Cary Audio dealer disclaimer

ZD... I agree. I'm not limited to a tubed preamp/DAC, although I am limited to balanced because I hear that the NCORE amps do better driven balanced. I am definitely going to try the Benchmark, because I hear that they are no longer so analytical as their early iterations, and are much more musical. Anyone else know the Benchmark?

What I am looking for is a slightly more forward midrange, but warm, and the type of spaciousness typically associated with tubes. But I'll take it however I can get it. More suggestions?

Sorry, I didn't mean to be too negative in my last post. There's just been a run of questions lately treating components like they're generic items. "Should I get a stereo amp or monos?, bipolar or mosfet's?". Things like that.

Anyway, back to your DAC. I can't see you going wrong with the Aesthetix I mentioned, or possibly the Cary. (I haven't heard that model dac, but I have heard several other digital products from Cary and liked them very much). I don't know what your budget is, but if you're willing to go SS, you have a lot more options. A good used Wadia 27 or DCS Elgar are both excellent choices. I know there's other great dacs out there, but I try to recommend stuff I've used and know fairly well.