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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
nutty
2,906 posts
 
I'd like to offer a different take on the volume mechanism. I am a huge fan of Ayre Acoustics. They have developed the VTG - Variable Gain Transdonductance Volume Control for their preamps. No resistors in the signal path. Silver to silver self cleaning contacts. Very high tech. I do own the Ayre C-X7eMP and the K-5xeMP and love them! However I have a local Ayre dealer in Cincinnati, OH. and have listened to much of Ayre's equipment over the years. 

Ayre has begun doing zoom videos with three their top technicians where they have a cold beer and discuss different aspects of their gear. I've attached a link to the newest on their top line volume controls. 

https://youtu.be/HR414rhDmQM

N

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
No resistors in the signal path.


Must have something? Unless it uses the constant (high) "output resistance" of the stage before the volume as part of a divider to get shunted to ground.

Cheers George
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
Reading an Ayre VGT circuit description here
https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/90-ayre-acoustics-kx-r-preamplifier-and-mx-r-mono-amplifiers in the paragraph that begins "First, in a traditional preamplifier, " it sounds like they have an input buffer before a gain stage that follows the level control. YAWN.

If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullsh!t.
slaw's avatar
slaw
21,602 posts
 
I can't answer ..look at the potentiometer Steve McCormick designed for his statement preamplifier.
lemonhaze
416 posts
 
Then there is the system employed in 'The Truth' where there are no capacitors, resistors nor potentiometer in the signal path except for the photocell. I have built line-stages using the very good DACT pot and Guido Tent's switched relay system which is also very good with accurate channel tracking etc. but The Truth reveals the two systems mentioned to colour the sound. It is simply the cleanest way to control volume that I have heard. The improvement over the DACT is much greater than the DACT is over other pots like Noble or Alps

The much lower noise floor produces detail I did not know was there. Of course everything else is improved. Imaging, bass weight, huge dynamics and overall clarity and purity of notes. Terence Blanchard's trumpet is now awesome.
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