How to control volume for DAC with no volume control

FYI, I own a Node and the Denafrips Ares II. If you use coax or optical into the DAC you can use the volume control in the Node software. If you use USB (which is for sure a better connection between the Node and Denafrips, look this up) you'll need a separate volume control. I use the USB connection and a pre-amp to control the volume. I've found that whenever I tried to go pre-amp less the sound was simply not as dynamic, full, or engaging. YMMV.

The Bluesound volume control sounds fine with connections to solid state amification.

Not so when utilizing a tube DAC with the balanced connections. Musical Paradise DAC

linestage (passive or active)

integrated amp

streamer control software, if volume control equipped

roon dsp (has built in volume control)

I just recently got into streaming.  Still, my cd player connected to the BS node sounds best to me.

Not sure what I am going to stream.   Would like to have MQA as an option.   I know it isn't with a lot of DACs.

Never noticed a loss of detail with digital volume control. Used Audiophilleo 1 (an excellent USB-SPDIF converter first and foremost) straight to First Watt SIT-2/3 for years and it sounded great. It has an IR receiver cable for remote control. Briefly added a Placette RVC, a highly regarded passive pre that worked well for me in the past, but found virtually no difference so I sold it. Used the digital volume control on the Weiss INT-202 sometime before that with great results as well. Currently have a dCS bartok and use its digital volume for fine tuned control since my preamp volume is sensitive. Never used strictly music player software volume control though.

However, adding a quality active preamp was always better.  The cost of an additional power cord and pair of interconnects is a not attractive.