About two years ago I was looking for a preamp to replace my McCormack RLD 1 preamp , which was no slouch to begin with. It was a full featured remote pre, although I never really like it's digital volume I did appreciate it having a remote. I came across the Conrad Johnson Classic 2SE, a stripped down pre, no remote, just a source selector and conventional volume control. I had some reservation about going from a fully remote pre to such a stripped down design. After listing to it in what was probably a $50k system it was clear that this pre was a keeper and that sound not features were more important. On top of that several of my sources had remote variable line out so when I was too lazy to get my ass off the couch I could still at least control the volume. I could have maybe stretched my budget and bought an ET3 but I wanted an SE with upgraded Teflon caps and Vishay resistors, which was $1500 more than the base SE. For me the Classic was just what I was looking for, I don't regret it one bit.
Life without a remote
I am considering a pre-amp that has no remote. As I sit here listening to music, I have adjusted the volume multiple times in just the last few minutes. I adjust so I can pretend I'm listening to my wife when she tries to talk to me. I adjust for different songs. I adjust in the middle of a song. I tweak to get just the right level from my listening spot.
So for those of you that don't have a remote or don't use one - how do you do it? Is there an adjustment period? Is listening more enjoyable because you can't easily play with the volume?
So for those of you that don't have a remote or don't use one - how do you do it? Is there an adjustment period? Is listening more enjoyable because you can't easily play with the volume?
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- 69 posts total
- 69 posts total