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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?
hilde45

Showing 4 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,702 posts
 
So seems like if soundstage and imaging remain solid at various volumes (and no noticeable noise when adjusting), the volume control is doing its job well.

The biggest problem with conventional potentiometers I have observed over the year is that they accumulate deposits over time that require cleaning to continue to work well.  The easy fix is to just exercise the knob periodically with power off to help remove deposits but eventually cleaning is required.

Can’t speak to the reliability of other types other than to say the technology used in marquee gear these days seems to have tackled the problem pretty well in general. Have not had issues with volume controls in quite a while (knock on wood...).
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,702 posts
 
I read the older Parasound integrated amp used an old school potentiometer whereas the new one does not so that would seem to be a significant difference.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,702 posts
 
They are not the first to tout higher quality volume controls. Maybe it’s an improvement for their products. Don’t know.

I can vouch for the fact as likely could many that potentiometers in volume controls need to be kept clean else audible deterioration of the sound occurs so clearly volume controls matter.  
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,702 posts
 
It’s a good question. I do not have difficulty imagining that some devices attenuate signals more accurately than others and perhaps with less noise but how or why....who knows?
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