Volume control relative quality?

[Boomzilla]

So at the moment, I find myself with a wealth of stereo volume control options.  Ignoring, for the moment, the non-audible advantages & disadvantages, which of these options should maximize sound quality?

Thanks - Boom

1. Use the digital volume control of the Emotiva Big Ego+ DAC directly into a power amplifier:

Advantages?

• Simple (minimal wiring & equipment required)
• Better channel-to-channel balance than any analog volume pot (done in the digital domain)
• Oversampling prior to volume reduction minimizes quality losses (the bugaboo of early digital volume methods)
• No additional active circuitry in the signal path

Disadvantages?

• No input switching unless an external switch is fitted
• Possibly less than robust analog output amps for driving longer interconnects
• No balance, bass management, or tone controls (unless using the DSP in Roon)

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2. Use an external, passive Alps analog volume control between the Big Ego+ and the power amplifier:

Advantages?

• Stepped action allows for repeatable attenuation
• No additional active circuitry in the signal path

Disadvantages?

• Channel-to-channel balance varies with level
• No input switching unless an external switch is fitted
• Logarithmic taper maximizes channel imbalances at the lowest volumes (where I listen)
• Varying impedance of passive pot may interfere with DAC output or power amp input 

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3. Use the Emotiva PT1 preamplifier:

Advantages?

• Input switching, bass management, balance, & tone controls included
• Robust output amps capable of handling any interconnects

Disadvantages?

• Channel-to-channel balance varies with level (analog volume)
• Logarithmic taper maximizes channel imbalances at the lowest volumes (where I listen)
• Bargain price allows review critics to claim that I didn't give their expensive review equipment a fair trial

[405x5]

If I turn it too high the “relatives” get pissed off

[hemster]

Nov 16, 2021 17:14:46 GMT -5 405x5 said:

If I turn it too high the “relatives” get pissed off

Maybe you need to play better quality music! Maybe take requests? 

[hemster]

Boomzilla, option B would maximize sound quality, IMHO.

[405x5]

Nov 16, 2021 17:16:45 GMT -5 hemster said:

Nov 16, 2021 17:14:46 GMT -5 405x5 said:

If I turn it too high the “relatives” get pissed off

Maybe you need to play better quality music! Maybe take requests? 

You could be right….(I thought they liked Grunge)

[routlaw]

There are folks over at audiophilestyle (previously computeraudiophile) that state emphatically one has not lived a righteous audiophile life until they use the digital volume control of their preferred juke box such as HQ Player, Audirvana etc, bypassing any and all pre-amps. This of course can come with some danger, that being if by accident or otherwise the digital volume is ramped up when you start playing music. Aside from levitating out of your seat when this happens devices could blow up and have a melt down. Note I've never done this myself but it makes a certain amount of sense theoretically.

[405x5]

Nov 16, 2021 18:02:31 GMT -5 routlaw said:

There are folks over at audiophilestyle (previously computeraudiophile) that state emphatically one has not lived a righteous audiophile life until they use the digital volume control of their preferred juke box such as HQ Player, Audirvana etc, bypassing any and all pre-amps. This of course can come with some danger, that being if by accident or otherwise the digital volume is ramped up when you start playing music. Aside from levitating out of your seat when this happens devices could blow up and have a melt down. Note I've never done this myself but it makes a certain amount of sense theoretically.

You nailed it and seriously, this is one of those junctures that becomes ridiculous.
The preamp is also the safety harness that reigns everything inn.
Let Dr. Emitt Brown perform his own science experiments