So it has no volume and no remote? Does it allow switching between sources? The Emotiva has all that and it sounds quite good. I have a feeling Emo is going to do something about the volume since in the just released manual they still reference a volume that moves up/down in .5 db increments. Plus on the product page of the XDA it has that same description. Apparently all it would take is an adjustment in the software.
But they should face this thing head on and be up front about it. They still haven't officially said anything about it.
The SRC has volume control, it supports 3 sources. It doesn't have a remote.
The SRC is a studio piece that can fill in for home duty. It all depends on your approach. My typical approach is one of consolidation.
Soon as the Cable Card ready version of the HD Homerun is available and bug free I will be down to a single source in my HT: a single computer that does everything:
1. Music Library (full bit rate lossless)
2. Movie Juke for DVD's / BR
3. Cable / encrypted QAM tuner
No more switching between sources.
Same thing for my 2.0:
One source with a remote of some sort. (REW/FF/Mute/Play/Vol +/- etc...)
This lets me really open up the stage for DAC's since they don't have to meet quite so many requirements.
There are a ton of DAC's available via Amazon. Part of the the service there is you can return most items by logging onto your Amazon account and it will in about 60 seconds send a return label to your printer.
Right now I am leaning towards a Squeeze Box Touch and a 12v battery with the ability to toggle a float charger and build a nice hunky 12v to 5v regulator.
I may simply try using the SQB DAC straight to amp. As simple as the signal path can get.