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Audiocubics R-cube remote volume control review

If you own some vintage audio equipment and would like an excellent way to control the volume the Audiocubics R-cube is just the answer. I recently purchased the R-cube from Curt at audiocubics.com. The R-cube consists of a simple, hand crafted 3"x3"x3" brushed aluminum cube. On the top front is a 192 color LED to give you a visual indication of the volume level. Below are the volume up and volume down buttons, and IR receiver. On the rear are the quality gold/teflon RCA inputs and outputs as well as the power adaptor plug. The remote control is equally impressive-carved from a solid hardwood with aluminum volume up, volume down and mute buttons. Construction of both the R-cube itself and the remote control are exceptional with great attention to detail.

Connecting the R-cube to your system:
For receivers and integrated amplifiers the R-cube inputs can be connected to the pre-amp outputs and the R-cube outputs can be connected to the amplifier inputs, with the bypass switch open or the jumpers removed. If there are no pre-amp outputs and amplifier inputs, a tape monitor loop can be used with the R-cube inputs connected to the tape outputs and the R-cube outputs connected to the tape inputs. For component systems the R-cube inputs can be connected to the pre-amp outputs and the R-cube outputs can be connected to the amplifier inputs or an equalizer, etc. If you use a single source of appropriate output voltage and an amplifier for a minimalist system, the R-cube inputs can be connected to the source outputs and the R-cube outputs can be connected to the amplifier inputs.

I have used the R-cube with both my vintage Marantz 2270 and Yamaha CR-1020 and have been more than pleased with the results. It not only looks beautiful, but works exactly as advertised. It seems to provide acoustically neutral remote volume control without any added noise what so ever.

Curt hand manufactures these and the quality shows. Although they are not cheap at approx. $200, the R-cube is dramatically less expensive (and I think it looks much better on the audio rack) than the Placette Audio remote volume control (currently about $1000), currently the only other option I am aware of that would provide similar results.

ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Bandwidth for measurements (unless noted otherwise)
Attenuation Range (192 steps)
Attenuation Step Size
Attenuation Matching
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (VIN = 2Vrms, f = 1kHz)
Input Resistance
Input Voltage Range (without clipping)
Input Capacitance
Output Drive Capability
Load Capacitance Stability
Output Noise (VIN = AGND, Gain = 0dB)
Short Circuit Current
Interchannel Crosstalk (f = 1kHz)
Unity-Gain Bandwidth, Small Signal
Power supply 10Hz to 20kHz
-95.5dB to 0dB
0.5 dB
+ or - 0.05 dB
0.0002 %
10,000 Ohms
2.5 Vrms
3 pF
600 Ohm load
100 pF
2.5 uVrms
50 mA
-130 dBFS
10 mHz
120 VAC, 5W, 60Hz wall transformer
PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS
R-cube
R-cube remote
R-cube power supply 3" cube
4" x 1.25" x .5"
2.5" x 2" x 1.5"
USER INTERFACE
R-cube front face
Volume indicator
(+) Button
(-) Button
Remote control detector Single LED, 192 color spectrum from Blue to Red (lowest to highest).
Tactile brushed aluminum pushbutton switch, increases volume and shifts display color toward red.
Tactile brushed aluminum pushbutton switch, decreases volume and shifts display color toward blue.
Infrared.
R-cube rear face
Pwr
L IN
R IN
L OUT
R OUT Input jack for R-cube power supply.
Left channel input, gold/teflon RCA jack.
Right channel input, gold/teflon RCA jack.
Left channel output, gold/teflon RCA jack.
Right channel output, gold/teflon RCA jack.
R-cube remote
(Mute) Button
(+) Button
(-) Button
Battery Tactile brushed aluminum pushbutton switch, mutes volume and changes display color to flashing blue.
Tactile brushed aluminum pushbutton switch, increases volume and shifts display color toward red.
Tactile brushed aluminum pushbutton switch, decreases volume and shifts display color toward blue.
CR2032 Lithium

Curt is wonderful to deal with and manufactures a high quality piece of equipment. So if you've been looking for a quality remote volume control for your vintage audio equipment I highly recommend the R-cube.
lotsabs
10 responses Add your response
wipster
1 posts
 
I've been using a Chase RLC-1 solely as remote volume control for my analog system (turntable, tube pre and amps, etc.) and, while it works OK, there frankly are too many buttons to push because they made the unit so it could be used as a preamp. It's always been way too complicated for my purposes, plus I recently discovered that it also has a "loudness feature" built in that can't be disabled unless you cut a couple wires in the unit. This was the deal breaker as I'd always assumed I was getting a flat signal throughout the volume range.

As such I was happy to discover the R-Cube today. Don't know how I've missed it, but it's perfect for not only my needs, but those of several of my friends who are just looking for a quality remote for volume only on their older systems (mainly tube). I ordered one today off Audiocubics.com website and Curt just sent me the message that it had been shipped.

I'll hook it up as soon as I get it and let you all know how it compares to the Chase... I'm pretty sure I know which will sound better.
naderpe
2 posts
 
I also purchased one the Audiocubics for volume remote control. Great item, it works flawlessly. I have it hooked up to my Sansui 890db with the TV audio into the Sansui. It fills my need to remotely control the vintage receiver without losing any vintage sound. Sound quality does not suffer at all. Quality built item by a superb individual.
naderpe
2 posts
 
I also purchased one the Audiocubics for volume remote control. Great item, it works flawlessly. I have it hooked up to my Sansui 890db with the TV audio into the Sansui. It fills my need to remotely control the vintage receiver without losing any vintage sound. Sound quality does not suffer at all. Quality built item by a superb individual.
erickson_ron
1 posts
 
Has anyone tried the Audioplex RCLL-1? It looks like does the same thing but not sure of the quality vs the cube.
tonyangel
309 posts
 
I did. It's actually pretty nice, if all you need to do is add a volume control and your source has the juice to feed your amp. In my case, I considered it a step up from using the volume control on my DAC. It didn't color the music in anyway that I noticed.

Although I wound up returning it, I do have to say that the guy selling them is pretty knowledgeable and was a very standup kind of guy. He didn't give me any flack for returning it.

The reason that I returned it was because my Harmony remote just couldn't learn the codes for the volume control and, for me, that was a deal breaker.
koslekt1's avatar
koslekt1
78 posts
 
Tonyaangel - did you get a chance to check this out? Does the R-Cube add or take away anything?
tonyangel
309 posts
 
I know that this thread has been dead for a while, but I just ordered one of these myself. I wanted a single source preamp to act as nothing more than a volume control and was getting on ebay to get an Axiom, when I saw this.

I'll update when I get it and take it for a spin.
mcdoug8
4 posts
 
I purchased the Audiocubics remote system about two months ago and could not be more pleased. The sound, build quality, visual appeal, and ergonomics are outstanding.

At twice the price point, I don't think you could find a remote passive volume control that compares. Very highly recommended.
audiocubics
1 posts
 
Thanks for the positive review.
I know the Chase RLC-1 has a following and was great in it's day. But if you need a simple and elegant line level remote volume control, with superb specs the R-Cube is a better choice.
A quick comparison -

Total harmonic distortion (2 Volts input, 0dB Gain)
R-Cube THD + Noise = 0.0002%
RLC-1 THD + Noise = 0.1%

Signal plus noise to noise ratio (unweighted)
R-Cube 118dB
RLC-1 105dB

Channel separation
R-Cube -130dB
RLC-1 -96dB

As you can see from the R-Cubes specs it has outstanding performance. Much better in all categories.

The R-Cube is designed to provide a completely transparent sound, neutral at all volume levels.
The RLC-1 has a loudness compensation curve that changes with volume and you can not turn it off.

Of course the RLC-1 has multiple inputs, and I may offer a bigger "Cube" in the future. But that's not the R-Cube target market. The R-Cube is for people who love the sound of their system and want to add remote volume control without changing the way it sounds period.

I designed it so I may be prejudiced but... The R-Cube looks as good as it sounds. The brushed aluminum cube with it's minimalist controls and display looks great with any system and the beautiful hardwood remotes are a unique and distinctive pleasure.

Since each of the exotic hardwood remotes is unique and these are individually crafted, I have been offering them on ebay (where you can see what you are buying). I'm exploring other options and will be offering them here and on my website as soon as I can talk my webmaster into it.

Thanks again for the review,
Curt
audiocubics.com
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
A better less expensive solution is the Chase RLC1, generally comes up on e-Bay for about $75. The chase unit also has balance, bass and treble features. I've use the chase for many years and found it does not add any thing to the source sound.
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