Remote volume control for preamp?

Jolida has unit (JD50A) that I used with a 502B for a while...couldn't tell it was in the system & worked very well.

I use a Placette RVC in series with my CAT SL1. It works very, very well with no degradation I can tell and almost an infinite array of volume levels. Once you get used to this fine control it is hard to go back. For a sinlge source and with the right cable capactance, input sensitivity and input impedance of the amp, you may even prefer the Placette to any active line stage -- it is that good. They offer a 30-day trial, so you can play with it and see if it does the trick. Again, not cheap, but exceptionally good.

Perhaps you can sell your non-remote Audio Research pre and replace it with a remote Audio Research pre?

The Placette remote volume control works very well. It offers something like 128 discrete steps and the manufacturer can set the level of the initial "on" step to match your needs. It does not have provisions for setting balance, but it does track extemely well between the two channels.

I have a linestage with a built-in welborne remote control of volume, balance, input selection and mute. It offers 60 steps of attenuation. While the differences between steps are just about right (i.e., not too large), the total range covered is not enough for me. The lowest level is not low enough and the highest level is WAY short of what I need to drive my Stax headphone amp. The Welborne is also sensitive to high DC offset at an input and locks up and refuses to operate whenever I select a phono stage that has a bit of DC offset. That said, the builder of my linestage selected it because he thought it was one of the best sounding attenuator of any type that he has auditioned in his design.

Used Cary, Linn Genki, or Resolution Audio. I recently got a good deal on a Resolution Audio CD-50 with remote volume control. I know it's overused but with the CD-50 I swear I hear new things in my favorite cds. I actually find myself replaying sections to verify what I think I'm hearing.

Since I just use a CD player, how about a CD player with a volume control? I know some high end units have this, but any companys in the under $750 range?

+1 Placette

Go with the Placette! and you might sell your preamp.

It's amaazing how good these passive (and Active) preamps are! If you don't like it you will be able to sell it for close to what you paid!

Yes. There are remote control attenuators available at various price levels. HOWEVER, if you decide to go that route, consider that you will now have two attenuators in line and that is not going to necessarily result in better sound, to the contrary. Consider placing the attenuator in the tape loop of your pre-amp - then you can use it for casual listening or take it out of the curcuit for those times when you want the best sound. FWIW Placette makes a simple RC attenuator - very high quality and not cheap. I see them used from time to time for 600 to 750.

Welborne labs:

http://www.welbornelabs.com/remote.htm

Bent Audio has one that mates with DACT attenuators.