From PC / Mac to DAC into Monoblocks, Direct?

Swampwalker is correct, you will need a DAC with volume (or gain) attenuation. There are several models that will do this, and a few that feature a remote control in case that's important to you.

I use an Antelope Zodiac Gold for this purpose for my digital only system in my living room; the DAC becomes the preamp. I am going from a mac mini to the Zodiac Gold via USB, then out via XLR to a pair of active speakers. My wife likes it because it is easy to hide the small components - it is almost invisible. All she sees are the speakers, for which she is still trying to find a way to do without.

My personal setup is a PC server built into an Antec Case, So it looks like a piece audio gear, this is run wireless with a laptop at my listening position using windows remote desktop. This means the remote laptop is the monitor and keyboard to the server. I connect USB to an Audio Research Dac 8 then direct to a VAC PHI 300.1, The VAC is one of the few power amps that has attenuators so I use those although I used the volume conrol in foobar before I purchased the VAC without issue. I have found a difference in the sound between attenuators and digital volume controls,they both have their strengths and weaknesses. I don't know your budget but the Weiss Dac 202 could be ideal in your situation as it has a built in digital attenuator and remote or the Weiss Dac 2 is cheaper and both of these can be had here on Audiogon secondhand. MSB make a dac that doubles as a Pre but I don't know much about them. Either way to drive directly to a power amp you'll need a Dac with a strong output stage , capable of driving 5 or 6 volts into a low impedences no more than about 500 ohms and preferably lower, The weiss will drive 50 ohms. I'm sure others on this forum will know more of other Dacs and other relevent options, I hope this helps.

All very helpful - thank you everyone so far.

Lustformusic, nice idea to use a good case for the PC which I have also considered.

Br3098, how do you like your Antelope gear? And further to wives, mine has been very supportive of wires and clutters for years, but this seems to be changing as we approach our 10th anniversary.

Hence, this approach!

Cwlondon,

I haven't found a DAC that sounds better, is built as well or has all the features of the Antelope Zodiac Gold for anywhere near the price.

I fully second BR3098 on the Zodiac and suggest to get the Voltikus power supply while you are at it