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Parasound's Hint 6's new volume control provides huge sonic advances?

Promotional language for the (relatively) new HINT 6 says this: "New Burr-Brown Volume Control:
The Parasound HINT 6 is packed full of technical advancements. The new, upgraded volume control replaces the original model's motorized potentiometer and sliding mechanical contacts with a Burr-Brown electronically controlled analog resistor ladder volume control. Technical advancements in the new volume control offer a more distinct sound stage by increasing the dynamic range, lowering the noise floor, improving left-right separation and maintaining absolute left-right channel tracking at any volume level."

I'm not a skeptic, but am trying to learn.

QUESTION: How does a volume control affect so many elements important to the sound?

I almost never look to the details of how an amplifier's volume control is designed. Is it this important?
128x128hilde45
richtruss
163 posts
 
Ha! Got me 🙂 None, I was just referring to analogue, but Digital would of course avoid these issues, like the Lyngdorf approach, as it’s not hitting on the analogue signal.
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
  1. Whether the Para 6 is better largely depends on the connected equipment. It may track better, but that's only a small part of the perceived sound.
  2. 'Better sounding resistors'? In whose estimation and in what context? Higher precision will improve tracking. SMD reduces inductance. Metal film has negative while Carbon film has positive temperature coefficient. How will those changes react with the associated equipment?
  3. Transformer taps change impedance which may affect sonics due to LCR filter values.
  4. Varying PSU voltage introduces its own artifacts
  5. Digital audio math becomes progressively worse as signal level drops and attenuation increases.
There is no free lunch.
wolf_garcia
6,704 posts
 
The 128 step relay switched volume control in my Schiit Freya is great, it preserves an accurate channel balance, and you're never stuck in the "one click more too much, one less not enough" zone. The pleasant clicking sound it makes reminds you that it's there.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,290 posts
 
So seems like if soundstage and imaging remain solid at various volumes (and no noticeable noise when adjusting), the volume control is doing its job well.

The biggest problem with conventional potentiometers I have observed over the year is that they accumulate deposits over time that require cleaning to continue to work well.  The easy fix is to just exercise the knob periodically with power off to help remove deposits but eventually cleaning is required.

Can’t speak to the reliability of other types other than to say the technology used in marquee gear these days seems to have tackled the problem pretty well in general. Have not had issues with volume controls in quite a while (knock on wood...).
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
The biggest problem with conventional potentiometers I have observed over the year is that they accumulate deposits over time that require cleaning to continue to work well. The easy fix is to just exercise the knob periodically with power off to help remove deposits but eventually cleaning is required.
It really depends on pot technology and circuit topology. Some circuits are pot eaters. Same pot in another circuit will last a lifetime and longer.

The incorrect cleaner can destroy a pot faster than you can say Jack Robinson.


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