Who makes the best passive volume control?

i duno if they are best, but they are certanly very good:
(using them for more then 3 years with various amps)

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue19/endlerattenuators.htm

or

http://www.icl.co.jp/audio/english/Model5/m5-1.htm

What about Burson stepped attenuator?

Atmasphere,

A little OT but how can you tell if an active is controlling the cable in the way you describe? Any good way of measuring this? In something like Stereophile's equipment measurement, any particular that will give agood idea of cable control, degree of cable control or likelihood of cable control?

Marebg, those are one passive approach I have not tried, but
it sure does help to eliminate an IC, for reasons Ralph
alludes to. I would have a bit of an issue with the
ergonomics of the Endlers, but I suspect they sound very,
very good.

That being said, there are several aficionados of passives
that have tried the gauntlet, including Endler, that once
trying the Lightspeed have concluded it is the best sounding
passive of any topology. I do think that Endler-type
Lightspeed would sound the best, but it would be a bit more
complicated to design and that is not the designers way -
though I am sure there would be a market for it - get rid of
the IC, the final frontier:)

Check out Richard Lee audio.