Some thoughts. Been playing with this about a year. At first I thought it was thin sounding, lacking bass, but thats not the case. When cables and source settings are on point its all good. I enjoy usb input most with pc. Layered and big sound. However.....pc fan is annoying so I would like to shut it and remotely use phone. Has somebody gone wireless and noticed quality drop? I would like to have a box which has usb output and tidal masters in it. Usb from there to su 8 and controlling tidal with phone as a remote. I am afraid of quality drop, if i go to hd blutooth device with coaxial and/or toslink out.....afraid that usb is superior....I know box i want dont probably exist, maybe other solid ideas. Do u think usb os better than other inputs in su 8?
You are right for seeking an alternative to BT receiver in this DAC as it does not support lossless BT codecs.
I have three suggestions to you:
1. RaspberryPI (running something like VolumIO) plugged to DAC by USB. Does exactly what you describe - phone as a remote, not source. Only services supported by VolumeIO (or alternative) will work, but they will work independent on your phone (ie. you can leave home, shut down phone or make phone calls without interrupting music playback). Cheapest option but requires some minor DIY.
2. Get iFi Audio Zen Blue and plug into your DAC. It offers lossless BT codecs.
This will use phone as source, so anything you can run on your phone will play on your speakers. However, streaming won't work independently on your phone. Most expensive option.
3. Sell this DAC and get Topping D50s, which is a superior DAC, and it does support lossless codecs. This will use phone as source, so anything you can run on your phone will play on your speakers. However, streaming won't work independently on your phone. Cost will be similar to option 1, if you sell your old DAC.