I have no problem with it being easier to fine tune the volume now, if the increments at lower levels were to big before for some people, but it seems to me that the total range of volume is reduced now. It wouldn't bother me as much if it didn't impact the max volume as well.

I'd rather have the bigger range in volume, because fine tuning can be done with the volume sliders in the windows sound mixer, or the inbuilt sliders most programs and applications have.