M-DAC ad NAD319, what attenuator?

Hi guys.
I am happy to have my setup currently running on a pair of Focal 816VW special edition, a NAD319 upgraded and used only as final amp (like a NAD 216THX) and an Audiolab M-DAC that is also working as a preamp.

I have read a bit over the internet and learned that the M-DAC below -20db and even worse -30db starts to degrade the signal, as any digital preamp would do apparently.

I most of the time listen to the music at around -34/-30db on my M-DAC, above that is only if I want really to stretch the system if nobody's home I guess.
The NAD is not a small amp, so it is easy to get loud.
A low volume listen on the M-DAC I would keep the volume at around -40/-46db, that is more or less the range.
Both cases much lower than the -20db suggested when the signal start to degrade...

Now, I was thinking then to add a passive preamp, or attenuator. The idea would be to use the attenuator as main and only volume control with the M-DAC in full bypass, or keep the M-DAC volume control always above 20db and use the attenuator to adjust the range on a high level (low volume, medium volume and high volume level basically, adjusting the M-DAC for fine tuning between -10 and +3db).

I have seen the NVA P50sa and the Khozmo stereo (or Akustyk, same thing).
The NVA has only one option and no remote, the Khozmo you can have a remote (essential if used as main and only volume control) and you can select the attenuation as 10k, 20k, 50k and 100k...
Reading a bit it seems that for digital sources like the M-DAC a 10k or 20k would be fine, people are suggesting the 10k.

Would that be fine for me too based on the above?
And have you got any view on the differences between the NVA and the Khozmo?

Thanks for anyone helping!!
Alex

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M-DAC ad NAD319, what attenuator?