Best remote with preamp


After using various preamps where the remote control interface left me wanting more, I'd like to see what is considered the best or perhaps 'perfect' remote for a preamp. Note I don't mean cdps, or other remotes. (Integrateds qualify but aftermarket remotes don't).

So many of them (even those supplied with expensive units) are gimmicky, or oddly-shaped to the hand, or have poor tactile feel, etc.

What is critical is the volume control, its feedback to the user, both tactile and visual, and its 'connectedness' to the unit, that is, how responsive is the unit to the remote.

So points would be scored heavily for an easy-to-read volume setting from across the room (doesn't have to be a numerical readout but if so it should be well-executed), fine-control of volume, in-the-dark usability, balance, weight and button size and such things.

For this exercise assume cost is no object.
kck
the darTZeel battery powered NHB-18NS has a very minimalist remote; only volume up, volume down, and mute....three buttons on a very classy all aluminum, red anodized, perfect hand sized remote. the recesssed buttons have a positive 'click' so you can do very fine adjustments without looking. the remote is not back-lit, but there is no reason for it to be.

but the best part of the dart remote is the actual design of the volume control in the preamp. it is out of the signal path completely.....and no i cannot explain how that is done. like the dart amp; the dart pre has minimal parts count in the signal path and is battery powered for amazingly low noise. most, if not all, other preamps in the performance class of the dart pre don't have a remote. i'm not speaking about cost of preamps as expensive pre's are not always the best sounding; but i am speaking about transparency and naturalness. it is very difficult to add a remote to uncompromised preamp designs. ask a designer if their preamp sounded better without having a remote and they will likely say yes......or they might say that they did not include a remote to retain optimal performance.

you can choose from two volume controls. one has a conventional dial where there is a LED on the dial which allows for easily repeatable volume settings for one rotation that can be seen from accross the room. this choice uses a motor to turn the volume control dial.

the other choice still has the LED on the dial; but there are 4 rotations of the dial on the volume scale so you have much finer steps of volume control. this was my choice and allows for really 'correct' volume adjustments. for this approach the dial does not move when using the remote. but if you turn the dial manually it will turn 4 times from low to full.

both approaches sound great.

you can also preset input gain for each of the 6 inputs and has a unity gain setting for a HT pass-thru.

for my personal listening culture; this remote does exactly what i want; and does not confuse things. when i have visitors and hand them the remote, even in the dark, they can easily use it precisely.....it is that well thought out. many comment 'why can't all remotes be like the dart's?'
Anything by BAT--heavy remote, positive tactile feedback, nice big readout on the pre-amps (which can be shut off), mute, fade (up and down). Button size is smallish, but there are not many on the remote so you don't need to "look" once you know where they are. Oh, and the pre-amps are terrific too!
I'd recommend the Audio Research Ref. 3 preamp, as it is both a top notch preamp, and it has a full function remote. My friend has one and it is exactly like you describe your perfect preamp and remote to be. The buttons are well spaced, and the display on the preamp is nice and large.

Stay away from the Ayre K-1xe (as the remote is very, very basic), and there is no digital display. (FYI, I own the Ayre K-1xe and love it and recommend it highly as a preamp, but the remote is not its strong point, IMHO.)