Eandylee, most volume controls that are in DACs are not of the best quality- particularly if they are digital. Digital volume controls essentially subtract bits to lower the volume; the result is audible loss of resolution as you turn the volume down. If you want to do it right, an active preamp (especially one *without* remote) will have a better chance of doing the job right- you would run it and have your DAC turned all the way up for maximum resolution.
One other task of active preamps is to control the interconnect cable. If set up properly, the line section of the preamp will minimize or eliminate the effects of the interconnect cable. Be careful though- many preamps may do their other jobs well but fall flat on their face in this department, introducing coloration due to the cable. BTW, this is a serious weakness in 'passive preamps' which in fact are not preamps at all.
One other task of active preamps is to control the interconnect cable. If set up properly, the line section of the preamp will minimize or eliminate the effects of the interconnect cable. Be careful though- many preamps may do their other jobs well but fall flat on their face in this department, introducing coloration due to the cable. BTW, this is a serious weakness in 'passive preamps' which in fact are not preamps at all.