CD fixed out vs variable out?? Qualitative difference??

[tubeboob]

I have been using my Sony 707ESD CD player with my vintage Fisher 400 receiver.

As the Fisher does not have remote control, and as I am sometimes the lazy type, I use the variable out from the CD player to the Aux input, and use the CD's remote control to control volume?

My question is whether or not using the variable out as opposed to the fixed output has any affect on the quality of the sound. And if there is an effect, is it a great effect or is it negligible?

Responses greatly appreciated.

Cheers

 

[Jon_Logan]

I used to own a 707ESD (great player BTW). I used the remote variable out as you and switched back and forth. I found no difference and favored the convenience of the remote control volume.

 

[Dan ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ]

It's going to depend on how they went about implementing the volume control. I had a Yamaha which used the same type of electronic volume control that's common in TV's set and such. It definately smoothed things over as the level was lowered. Then at one point, I owned a McIntosh CDP that used a motorized pot with a buffer between it and the outputs. It sounded good no matter the level setting.

 

[blackfly]

I have both on my CDP. I tried both and got slightly better results with fixed out, as opposed to variable out. The theory is the signal path is more pure, and whether that is true FOR MY PLAYER, I found fixed better.

My tuner (from 1977) has fixed and variable output, and I found for that the fixed IS better, not slightly so. Getting the volume pot out of the way is better.