Studio Monitor Control Recommendation

[MusicBasset]

I have a very basic home setup. A MacBook Pro, a desktop PC, and a pair of JBL 305 studio monitors. I'm looking for a good controller where I can switch between 2-3 inputs and control the volume of my studio monitors. My budget is $200 or under.
 
Options:

1. Behringer Control2USB ($149)
2. Mackie Big Knob Studio ($199)
3. Mackie Big Knob Passive ($69) + DAC for Mac
3. JBL Nano Patch ($59) + DAC for Mac + some kind of small mixer or switch
 
I like the Behringer and the Big Knob Studio because they have on-board USB inputs which allow me to hook up my Mac directly via USB instead of getting a separate DAC. If I go with one of the passive options, I'd probably get something like the Modi 2 for a DAC.
 
Any suggestions?
 
I was about to try out the Behringer, but there seem to be a lot of complaints about Behringer having questionable quality. Are Mackie and JBL better?

 

[theveterans]

I'd get the cheapest passive volume control box + a DAC which is option 3 since you get better sound with a better DAC than a better volume control box switch unless it has a tube stage. I myself have a fancier hybrid tube buffer stage volume control box since I like tube sounds.

 

[MusicBasset]

 
I'd get the cheapest passive volume control box + a DAC which is option 3 since you get better sound with a better DAC than a better volume control box switch unless it has a tube stage. I myself have a fancier hybrid tube buffer stage volume control box since I like tube sounds.

That's a good way to look at it!  Its also part of the reason I'm skipping the Behringer all together, I think it has a very weak built in DAC.  If I purchased a passive volume knob I'd have about $130 left for a USB DAC.  Any recommendations?  I was looking at the Modi 2.

 

[theveterans]

 That's a good way to look at it!  Its also part of the reason I'm skipping the Behringer all together, I think it has a very weak built in DAC.  If I purchased a passive volume knob I'd have about $130 left for a USB DAC.  Any recommendations?  I was looking at the Modi 2.

 
I honestly would pass a off-the-shelf DAC chip implentation at this price point and instead invest more on an entry level multibit DAC like the Modi 2 Multibit. To me, the sound is as good as those $500 off-the-shelf DAC chip implementation from the likes of iFi iDSD micro (or black version) or Grace M9XX

 

[MusicBasset]

   
I honestly would pass a off-the-shelf DAC chip implentation at this price point and instead invest more on an entry level multibit DAC like the Modi 2 Multibit. To me, the sound is as good as those $500 off-the-shelf DAC chip implementation from the likes of iFi iDSD micro (or black version) or Grace M9XX

Unfortunately the Modi 2 Multibit is over my max budget.  I was thinking I could get the base Modi 2 and a passive volume knob, that would meet all my needs and be under budget. I'm trying to decide if a passive volume knob + Modi 2 is better or if I should just get a Mackie Big Knob with a built in DAC.

 

[mwhals]

Unfortunately the Modi 2 Multibit is over my max budget.  I was thinking I could get the base Modi 2 and a passive volume knob, that would meet all my needs and be under budget. I'm trying to decide if a passive volume knob + Modi 2 is better or if I should just get a Mackie Big Knob with a built in DAC.

The Modi 2 and passive volume knob would be your best option with your budget.

 

[MusicBasset]

The Modi 2 and passive volume knob would be your best option with your budget.

Excellent, thanks!  I've selected the passive controller I'll go with, the Mackie Big Knob Passive, but are there any other DAC's under $130 I should consider besides the Modi 2?

 

[theveterans]

You have the JDS ODAC along the same price as the Modi 2.

 

[mwhals]

Audioquest Dragonfly

JDS ODAC (as mentioned above)

Schiit Modi

Those are options under $130.

 

[MusicBasset]

Thanks, I'll look into those.

 

[MusicBasset]

The Modi 2 and passive volume knob would be your best option with your budget.

I do have one question.  With a passive input switch, such as the one on the Big Knob Passive, it allows you to have two inputs passed to the monitors.  What if one input is a consumer DAC (-10db) and one is a mixing interface (+4db).  Do I set my monitor sensitivity to -10 or +4?

 

[mwhals]

I do have one question.  With a passive input switch, such as the one on the Big Knob Passive, it allows you to have two inputs passed to the monitors.  What if one input is a consumer DAC (-10db) and one is a mixing interface (+4db).  Do I set my monitor sensitivity to -10 or +4?

If you intend to use both, I would set the passive volume at 75% with the monitor volumes at zero. Play the -10 db source and slowly bring up the monitor volumes until you get to the loudest you would ever listen to them and then stop. You can then lower the passive volume to zero and switch to the +4 db source. Turn up the passive volume to your limit. If you are satisfied with the passive volume range, then you are done and can leave the monitor volumes alone.

As to the monitor sensitivity, do the above at each sensitivity and see what you like best.