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
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?
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?
- ...
- 34 posts total
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. |
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. |
- 34 posts total