Also, it becomes necessary to protect people from themselves. In this case, many people may have just left the loudness switch in the on position regardless of volume. This could result in damaging a speaker or at least distorted sound. When I was in the army from 1975 to 78, this was the golden era of receivers. Everyone had one! Guys would blast them all night and weekend long! People were returning them damaged to the PX left and right. (The PX asked no questions. All were covered under warranty). Getting rid of the loudness switch was maybe one small way of dumbing the receiver down. There was a standing joke in the army; They used to write "TGIF" on the inside of our boots. Toes go in first! Joe