cd players with volume control

jim: i can assure you that the volume control on the accuphase dp-75v does not "drop bits." i don't own the unit but one of my good friends does. (i have owned the dp-75, which i ran directly with great sucess.) he thoroughly researched this issue before he sold his preamp. the accuphse dp-75v volume control is similar, tho not as sophisticated, as that in the dc-330 pre/dac, which i still have while awaiting delivery of a new pre/dac. should anyone wish more info on the volume controls on accuphase products, they should contact arturo manzano, the distributor for the us. you can find his email address, etc. on the accuphase website. -kelly

Acuujim- You really ought to give the Wadia 860x or the new 861 a shot, I owned the CD50 at the same time as the Wadia and it is way better than the CD50 in my system. True you need to run the Wadia at the top end of it's volume output for maximum resolution, but that is not very hard to do by adjusting the internal output voltage switches to match the output of you amps.

If you decide to run directly from cd to power amp, there will be times that you will not be able to achieve enough gain. There are many recordings cut at too low a level to be able to bypass a gain stage. Just something to think about.

Frap. I think your wromg. My wadia 861 has more gain direct to my pass x 350 then i need, but the pass is 150db.

frap: you mind tellin' us where you got your data? i'd be particularly interested in learning which of the cd players you've used exhibits this characteristic. i'd also appreciate a listing of the cd's that you've found are recorded at unusually low volumes.