A simple feature I'd love to see is a configuration option to disable the volume controls (lock it to 100%).
Why?
To ensure that digital bit perfect output is preserved.
I believe that it is possible to configure bit perfect output in VLC (so that DTS etc works), but the volume must be fixed at 100%. If, by accident, it is moved, then the audio signal is degraded and no longer bit perfect. In the case of DTS, it is all or nothing. If you touch that volume control it will go from perfect audio to static. And once the volume has changed, there is no fast and easy way to reset to 100.
When using an external DAC or AV receiver, the ONLY thing you want coming out of the source is a bit perfect, clean audio stream. You don't want it messed with (resampled, dithered etc) at all! This is a growing area.. as more people are starting to work out they can use their computer as a source to feed their stereo or home theatre setup.
hope this can be considered for inclusion
Thanks
(also raised as ticket 6664)