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Digital Volume Control any good ?

I am playing with the idea of bypassing the preamp and get myself a CD player with digital volume control. Unfortunately I read that this is not a good solution and rather degrades sound.
In the Dagogo web page http://www.dagogo.com/Spotlight/AccuphaseCulture.html
Accuphase is asked a question on this, which I quote here with the answer:

Q: I think it is safe to state that all audiophiles, including many of your loyal customers, have contemplated abolishing the preamplifier one time or another. Coincidentally, with your internationally renowned digital preamplifiers and CD players with high-quality, adjustable volume control, Accuphase seems to be treading alongside those audiophiles as well. What is Accuphase’s official position on the issue of preamplification?

A: Quality pre-amplifier is vital to control and orderly adjustment of signals for a well balanced transmission to power amplifier. We do not recommend connecting the CD player directly to power amplifier, since no CD player can perform optimally when connecting directly to power amplifier. Even Accuphase CD players are no exception.
Digital level control provided in Accuphase CD player is for the purpose of precision attenuation in digital domain, and not for total volume control.
Whatever degree of attenuation you make, the process always causes the loss of digital bit, affecting the quality of sound. We believe that the ideal digital attenuator requires a minimum of the 48-bit DSP that we use in our DC-330 digital pre-amplifier. Playback via a CD player connected directly to a power amplifier may sound vivid at an immediate listening, leading to the misunderstanding that the sound quality is upgraded. However, we will all find later that the feeling of vividness is due to peaky high and lack of bass.

Does your experiece confirm this ?
eljaro
7 responses Add your response
unsound
7,329 posts
 
Not all digital volume controls are the same either. I believe the TacT is very different, and I mean that beyond the obvious room correction. We must be carefull when using generalizations.
aida_w
308 posts
 
Very simple: a unit which isn't there cannot make a degradation to the sound. Any pre ALTERS the sound but does not necessarily make it better! I run my Wadia 27ix directly into McIntosh MC 2000 with breathtaking results. I also have a Burmester 808 pre which is known being one of the best pres on the planet but digital sound is better without it - coming directly from the Wadias. I use the Burmester as analog pre which is Vinyl on Transrotor/Van den Hul and Tape on Revox and Nakamichi.
One caveat be mentioned: make sure the digital volume control ist set near the upper end of the range! Otherwise you do lose quality.
Good luck!
unclejeff
1,313 posts
 
Obviously this person clouded the answer in the ditital domain. As stated above, there are many CD players that do volume control in analog; my Audio Aero Capitole is an example that uses tubes to achieve this function.
aball
2,016 posts
 
Full digital volume control is no good IMO. Now, a digitally-controlled analog volume is a totally different story and I feel this approach gets the best of both ideas.

Arthur
reubent
6,985 posts
 
Eljaro,

Many of the CD players that employ built-in "variable" volume control actually implement it in the analog domain. As stated in the Accuphase verviage, some do it in the digital domain.

I've owned many different CD players with built-in volume control. For the most part, the benefit outweighed any potential down side. In my case, I have a single source system. Why spend $1000-$4000+ on a pre-amp when the CD player has a decent volume control? The cost saving alone allowed me to afford a much more expensive (and better sounding) player than I would have purchased if I also had to drop a bundle on a pre-amp.

BTW, there is nothing keeping a manufacturer from putting a very high-quality analog or digital output stage directly into the CD player. If Accuphase has a great digital pre-amp using 48-bit DSP, why not use that one in the CD player instead of the "admittedly" piece of crap that they use? If they already have the technology, why not use it? I'm gusssing it is so they can sell $5000+ plus pre-amps in addition to the $5000+ CD player.....

For me, CD direct is the way to go. It saves me a bundle of cash and it frees up shelf space. It also provides the least possibilty of the signal getting mucked up between the source and speakers. Some will say that dynamics suffer with no pre-amp. Well, I haven't noticed it in my system, my room, with my musical preference. But I don't listen to large scale classical, so that might be a different story.....

Enjoy,

TIC
pbb
1,140 posts
 
I am running a Linn Genki directly into an ARC VT-100 Mk. III and am quite sure that the volume control is digital and am happy with the sound. A preamp will be added later when something decent and well priced comes along. I think that most warnings about digital volume controls are pretty dire and need not be.
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Believe me all makers have their spiel; including this one.--- It isn't the volume control but the implementation thereof.--- Yes there are "players" with excellent vol.controls. The good ones cost a few bucks.----The best way to find out is to try one in your system--with and without. One try is worth a thousand opinions;including the opinions you will get here. In general,a very high quality tube pre will be better.---So, it's all about price.---That last statement (vivid/lack of bass) is just about pure bull. This guy never listened to a high quality "player"; is my guess. Perhaps your question could be more brand/model specific; and less "general".
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