CD direct to monobloks?

With regards to digital volume controls, I have some info that may be of value. I have been a long time Wadia user and have had several players; all of which have dig vol. I wanted to really find out how big the difference in sound quality is when lowering the dig vol. I went to my local dealer and set a Wadia up with the best components I could find in the store and started listening. Also, I wanted some input from someone besides me, so I had 2 people from the store and 2 reviewers from audio magazines listen as well. (I believe one reviewer was from TAS and the other from Stereoplile). In the end, not one of us heard any difference no matter how much we lowered the volume. I don't know if you will get the same results with other brands, but I would at least listen before I made a final judgement.

As far as I know:
First of all, a CDP with variable output doesn't necessarily mean that the volume control is implemented in the digital domain.
Second of all, volume control implemented in the digital domain in a unit working internally on 24 or 32 bits, and Wadia is such an example, doesn't mean sacrificing resolution when the attenuation occurs. Lots of least significant, zero-padding bits to cut into before degradation occurs.

Like Xxqq250 said above,if you already own all this, what do you think?

Well I tried the variable output from the Primare I21, the sound was thin and compressed. Then I feed the amps direct from the Shanling, with the same result. In the end the best sound I got is from the pre Adcom GTP-350. Not bad all all! Still I wonder if I could get a better sound with a best new/used preamplifier, since the Adcom is an old and basic pre. Any suggestions about a pre that could match the monobloks? Any help from Rotels owners would be very much appreciated.

03-12-12: Westborn
A quality tube preamp is the most important component in the audio chain.

I had this experience when I upgraded to a Nagra PL-L last year.