Digital vs Analog Volume Control, does it matter? Options

[Stephan37]

Thanks to this forum I am an recovering audiophile. It was a very humbling experience to do some double blind testing of 128kbit mps but a necessary one. The cool thing about this process is that I've come to enjoy the music again, not the sound. Thus I listen more with more enjoyment. Thanks to everybody here who have made this learning possible. I have also learned that most audio equipment is not that much different. But since my amp doesn't have a remote control I am in the market for a receiver or new amp. And I like the new features like Airplay and the like.

Now I have been reading a lot about different models etc.

What sometimes comes up is the way the volume control is made - digital vs analog.

Here are my questions:
Should I be bothered? Is one really better? Will I hear a difference?

Thanks in advance for your time!

Stephen

[Stephan37]

Wow, thanks for all the input here.

This is what I've learned so far, correct me if I'm wrong.

- Digital volume setting is as good as analogue if not better, but both are audibly fine (you can't hear a difference anyway)

- it's unneccesary that receivers have built in a digitally controlled analog volume setting

- today's AVRs are transparent and buying a cheap one doesn't mean that you are going to loose anything (sound-wise)

So a normal-priced AVR it will be. Thanks again for the enlightenment and your effort.

[Arnold B. Kruege...]

- Digital volume setting is as good as analogue if not better, but both are audibly fine (you can't hear a difference anyway)

- it's unnecessary that receivers have built in a digitally controlled analog volume setting

So much so that TI's web site shows an AVR with just a DSP driving a power amp.

Just guessing, but products being designed in the next few years will drop the analog volume control.

- today's AVRs are transparent and buying a cheap one doesn't mean that you are going to loose anything (sound-wise)

So a normal-priced AVR it will be. Thanks again for the enlightenment and your effort.

That's the message I wanted you to receive.

This post has been edited by Arnold B. Krueger: Feb 23 2013, 18:44