Starting with John Doe

Please add!

Hello,

I am hoping to set up a two channel system using some of my current gear: a CD/DVD player and a pair of Fostex active monitors. I'd like to have a component between the DVD player and the active monitors that will allow me to control the volume via remote control. I realise this is a very naive question, but would this hoped-for component be a "preamp"?

Could some kind soul recommend a best bang-for-buck component - hopefully not more than $100 - that will allow me to control the volume remotely. Second-hand is fine.

Cheers!

Dave

I have no fiscal interest in Music Direct, but a good player just went on sale so I thought I'd post.

Esoteric DV-60

Of course, this means, "Get ready for the new DV-70."

Based on reviews, this DAC seems a good value, as well.

A couple of years ago I decided to purchase 2 Janis Ian CD's that I'd like in my collection. Unfortunately, I could only buy them on her website or on Amazon.com in the states. They were under no circumstances for sale in Europe. They were around $14 or $15 each. Expensive, but what the heck I thought, lemme have them! They arrived at my post office, and attached to them was a toll/VAT bill, bringing the price up to more than (hold on to your hat!) $50 each!!!

My protests were ignored, but since I wanted the damn CD's I payed the outrageous amount of money.

http://www.elusivedisc.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MOBSA2046&utm_source=email&utm_medium=special

While JA's review of the Asus Xonar Essence ST/STX suggests that both are identical,except that the ST is made for PCI slots while the STX is for PCI-E,discussions in the thread at http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=295839
suggest that the ST has a superior clocking circuit & is therefore the better card.
Could Stereophile enlighten me on this aspect?
I was contemplating going in for the STX but the comments in the guru thread made me pause.
TIA