I prefer the name of potentiometer for the volume switch. It just makes it sound like it is holding all the answers. This may sound strange but I have my "cheap system". This runs a class D amp to some transmission line speakers that I built. I only run through this through bluetooth. So, should be a crap sound, not going to argue things could be much better. To maximize this, I run the volume switch on the "integrated D amp" at 2/3 potential. I then adjust the volume from digital source. This makes the speakers much more alive and dynamic at all volumes.
amplifier with volume control
I began my journey with an active preamp then switched to a placette passive which was more transparent but sucked the life out of my system (but I was using longer interconnects to monoblocks). I have one source (a computer with a usb dac) and am now running direct to my amplifier which sounds much better than my previous 2 configurations. I am using a digital volume control and my thought is to change to an amp with a built in volume control - like an audion - or have a tech install one on my amplifier. My question is how is an amp with a volume control different - if at all- from a passive (simple pot in a box) connected with short interconnects to an amplifier? thank you