Digital vs. Analog Volume Control
Hope someone can help. And, if this has been discussed elsewhere, please do me a favor and point me in the right direction.
Basically, I'm trying to figure out if there is a general rule of thumb to this, whether one way is always better than the other (all things being equal).
I have a Meridian 565 processor that can output either a fixed or variable PCM signal. I've heard that I should stay away from variable digital outputs or risk damaging my speakers.
Anyhow, if I go with a fixed PCM output to an external DAC, I would then use an analog passive volume controller (e.g. MSB MVC-1) between the DAC and Amp. However, if I use a variable PCM output to the DAC, I wouldn't need an analog volume controller between the DAC and Amp.
Thought? Opinions?