oppo's volume control

Runnin,
You aren't alone in your preference for a high quality preamp. They do complete the sonic picture and music sounds more real, natural and less sterile and "hifi". Others prefer a different sound that in their opinion is more accurate or correct. I find this personally to be an incomplete and artificial (stripped of tone, body and vibrancy).This is .one of those topics where there will be forever opposing perspectives ( which is fine with me). There's enough room in this hobby for us all to coexist and choose our own pathway to audio satisfaction. What some would call"pleasing coloration" I hear as natural and honest. Their "accuracy" is my thin and lifeless. So to each their own.
Charles,

thanks for that, everyone has their preferences but what I don't get are those who insist that theirs are right and any other is wrong. But I agree, to each their own.

Recognizing accuracy is not necessarily a declaration that it's preferred.

I think whatever the Rega Orisis does in direct mode badly inhibits the sound-it really doesn't sound right.

Of course this is an integrated amplifier so it is probably not comparable to what might happen directly to a power amp.