Just to clarify. I have heard it explained that The volume control in the Ps audio DS (I'm a dealer) is digital up until 50 - from 50 to 100 it is analog. as Robert Deuch found it sounds fantastic and close in sound to the Cat preamp. Well as good as the DS is - the reports from Paul at ps audio is that the BHK preamp is significantly better in all respects. he's a straight shooter and these days won't release a product that doesn't live up to his expectations. He spent years developing a hypex based amp with custom front end, and scraped it because there were better out there.
audio doesn't always make sense. One would think less parts means better sound but it doesn't always.
Bascom king who measures electronics for a magazine once tested a ss amp from a DAC manufacturer that measured much lower in distortion than any other - but it didn't sound good.
Paul McGowan was against using a tube input and in fact planned to offer a solid state input and and tube as well (ss on a tube socket) but once he heard the tube input he had to throw out his preconceptions and just build his new amp with tube input only.
audio doesn't always make sense. One would think less parts means better sound but it doesn't always.
Bascom king who measures electronics for a magazine once tested a ss amp from a DAC manufacturer that measured much lower in distortion than any other - but it didn't sound good.
Paul McGowan was against using a tube input and in fact planned to offer a solid state input and and tube as well (ss on a tube socket) but once he heard the tube input he had to throw out his preconceptions and just build his new amp with tube input only.