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How to Add Remote Controlled Volume to Dac + Amp That Doesn't Support It

I'm trying to figure out how to control the volume on my speaker system where at least one source (TV) has no control over volume being outputted via toslink to a DAC without any volume control, and then to a Schiit amp that I love but has only a nob on the unit to control volume. I'm too lazy to get up to want to change the volume!

Are there products that essentially add remote control volume to systems these days? Or perhaps it would be best to replace the DAC with a unit that happens to have remote volume control on the output?

endingmirage
soix
9,456 posts
 

Not sure how much you want to spend, but a used Bel Canto DAC would do very nicely and not take up much space.  That’s what I’d do.

 https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisai340-bel-canto-design-dac-3-24-192-d-a-converter-with-dac-3-7-digital-input-board-da-converters

eugene81
270 posts
 

Placette Remote Volume Control (RVC).  Essentially a one input passive preamp using high quality Vishay resistors.  Very transparent, meaning it doesn't add or subtract from the source sound.  They can be found used around $400-500.  There's also a 3 input version called Placette Passive Linestage.

sfar's avatar
sfar
1,758 posts
 

Second soix' recommendation of a Bel Canto DAC. I have a DAC 3 that works perfectly as both DAC and remote for a tube integrated without remote. I think I paid $700 for it used a few year ago.

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