digitaly controlled voltage divider for picky audio recording enthousiasts
I highly doubt that there is ANY argument you could make to the guys who buy  1073s that will convince them a digipot of the ordinary sort is harmless (One of the reasons people go the old Neve desks is that they do not have VCAs in the chain (Seems to me to be cutting off nose to spite face, but whatever makes them happy).

Have you had a look at the stuff from THAT Corp? They do some very nice digipots intended for use in the feedback of mic amps that you may be able to use. 

Another possible approach would be discrete jfet switches, Doug Self has much interesting to say about these in 'small signal audio design', may be worth a look.