Preamp Quandary - sonics vs. ergonomics??

Actually, the Ayre K-1xe that Kurt mentions is a good example of Mitch's preamp quandry of sonics vs. ergonomics for me. I've read that it sounds great. I haven't heard one, but I have heard other Ayre gear and I always thought they represented a good value. The reason I've never pulled the trigger on a Ayre preamp? No balance control, that's all. Yes, 90-95% of my listening is done with balance centered, but there are some recordings that sound better with a slight image shift. Not to mention how it helps trouble shooting everything behind the preamp.
I know Ayre says they don't use a balance control for the sake of signal purity. However, they do use a remote control. Some manufacturers don't use a remote for signal purity's sake. How much convienience do you want to give up for signal purity? That is a personal choice.

It's the same issue with a remote control(in general, not with the Ayre). I try to convince myself that I can live w/o a remote, but everyone that I've talked to tells me not to bother. They claim they've tried it and after a few weeks it drove them nuts and they sold the piece. I could see that happen to me. Again, I don't use the remote often, but it's nice to have one when you want one. I think I would try to live w/o a remote before I would live w/o a balance control. But that's just me.

For me, I guess it's not about the absolute sound. I have minimum qualifications about ergonomics and maximum qualifications about cost. I try to find something that meets my qualifications and sounds the best to me.

Regards,
John

i would try a mccormick pre also

More good responses, and a good discussion, thanks guys. Jmcgrogan2 - I must have been thinking of the Ref 2, you are right the Ref 3 is more expensive. Bob_Reynolds makes a good point, and that is exactly where I am at now, trying to decide if I am able to simply forget about it and enjoy the music. With either of the two preamps I have now, my system is perfectly matched impedance-wise, and sonically, but they just don't sound the same. I can't really lose, both sound great, I just like the sound of the A-S better. Actually Kurt's suggestion is my "plan B." If a K-1xe or K-1x had been available at a lower price, I would have tried one of those first instead of the K-5xe, but after reading all the rave reviews I thought that maybe the 5xe would have been close enough, and it may still be, but I will probably eventually try and hear the K-1xe or maybe the 1x to start then go for the upgrade. So, whichever of the two I now have that I decide to sell, I will probably stay on the lookout for a decent priced K-1x to try. These may start to become more available if Ayre releases a Ref series preamp as they say they plan to. In the meantime, I will have a hard time giving up the Atma-Sphere. The other thing I always consider is the company itself, and in my opinion SMc-McCormack, Ayre, and Ralph and crew at Atma-Sphere are all at the very top of service-oriented audio, you just cannot go wrong with any of those. Finally, Jaybo which McCormack pre do you suggest? The only one I would consider trying is the RLD-1 with full SMc upgrades, but it is not balanced. Steve has been promising a new preamp for about a year now, and I will be real curious to see what he comes up with.

Perhaps a Sonic Frontiers Line 3 will satisfy all your needs?