Question: To solve the issue of a minimalist approach to both volume control, and balance control, why doesn't Decware use something like this?:



A dual concentric [stereo] volume control...

McIntosh and Marantz used to have them...  

The beauty of this kind of volume control is that you can set the difference in channel levels once, and thereafter just use the pot as a simple volume control...  At least that is how they used to work...  ???  (m.)

And...

Standard disclaimer. I may be FOS or talking OMA... But I understand from reading here....stepped attenuator advantage is fidelity due to discrete resistors at each step. Disadvantage is the step size, there are no half step volume levels..more and smaller discrete steps would be better at the cost of more discrete resistors.

advantage of dual volume controls is fine control of balance.  Set one level, then adjust other until your sound stage snaps into focus.  Handles irregular room shapes, reflections.  Dual stepped attenuators make this fine adjustment hard.

so I understand it is a cake OR eat it situation.

a normal stereo pot, l r adjustable or not has both disadvantages.  Lower fidelity and lack of real time adjustment of balance.