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Is preamp remote volume a deal breaker for you?

I've been looking for a quality active tube preamp with remote volume control. Most high quality tube preamps that are reasonably priced (ie, under $4000) do not come with remote volume. Those that do use the cheap motorized Alps pot (I've had bad experience with Alps), probably because it's cheap and widely available. I've seen some very expensive preamps us this pot, unfortunately. The two very high quality preamps I've read about are the SAS Labs 11A, Don Allens preamp, and Atma-sphere M3, but the designers refuses to implement remote because they believe the sound will suffer. Atma-sphere uses a huge hand assembled remote volume only for there expensive MP1. A preamp without remote is a deal breaker for me. How about you?
dracule1
mrderrick
292 posts
 
I use the MP3 and do not miss the remote at all.
The volume control stays at one spot most of the time.
$4,000 will get you a nicely optioned second hand MP3.
Maybe an early MP1 if you can spend a little bit more. ( That's my next move )
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
I am with you on a desire for a remote, due to the dog-on-lap factor.

IIRC, I think I saw somewhere that Ralph at Atma is working on a remote for his less expensive pre. Might want to give him a call and ask. Or maybe he will pop in here.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
A remote control is a nice convenience no doubt.The maker of my linestage believes that to reach the very highest level of sound quality you should avoid them(I don`t really know). To his credit this unit`s sound is stunning and oh so pure. I`m getting along without a remote just fine.
wrm57
1,054 posts
 
For many years I was completely a purist, which meant definitely no remote. Now I can't do without one in my main system, mostly because it doubles as a 2-channel quasi-home theater. In fact, I've slid all the way down the slippery slope and demand remote input switching! How I've fallen! But we all make compromises in our systems and that's one I can live with. BTW, the Aesthetic Calypso Signature is excellent with a full-feature remote (with inputs!) and can be had for around your price.
realremo
460 posts
 
A remote was a deal-killer for me when I was on the hunt for a pre-amp. I had to have one. My listening sessions are 2-3 hours long and I am behind a laptop for the duration. I don't want to get up constantly to adjust volume and change CDs.
I also was not anywhere near the price point of the above mentioned units. In my range (below $1400), I think most pre-amps have remotes.
I have a friend that runs GAS gear and he really misses having a remote. He connects to the variable outputs of his Sony ES changer because of this. For more critical listening, he goes through the GAS pre-amp. He's told me his next pre-amp will have a remote.
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