Hi end tube preamps, it’s all about functionality!!


So most preamps over $10 grand all sound very good.  But functionality varies widely and a challenge to readily figure out.


some remotes don’t turn on unit,  some leave tubes on while watching tv/movies assuming they have ht bypass functionality,  some turn off avr when change is made to stereo listening (McIntosh), some use 3 tubes and some use 8 tubes, volume control process differences, power supply being external or internal, and many more feature variations.


it is a mess.  The marketplace over time will make a buying decision abit easier as brands soon learn that the avr/stereo integration is a very important market and ease of use along with running costs need to be considered more carefully.
emergingsoul
Weird thread topic. 2nd odd topic.

The OP perhaps needs some basic audio electronics 101 knowledge to understand why some things are just the way are.

Save your money and commission a designer to make a box to do exactly what you want.
Most of the very best tube linestages, like the Audio Note (uk), Kondo and Shindo units have hardly any convenience or other flexible features (e.g., no remote control of volume).  Some don't even offer balance control, or if balance can be adjusted, it is by way of the volume control being two separate pots (really inconvenient).  

I have a custom-made linestage that I had to persuade the designer/builder to include remote control of volume and to include balance control.  It took him a long time to find the parts that met his requirements.

With most high-end linestages, the priority is on quality parts and build quality and not convenience features.  Such features may be included, but, only if they don't compromise sound quality.  I liked the incredible features and flexibility of my Levinson No. 32 preamp, but, it does not come close to the sound quality of the two tube-based linestages I got from custom builders.
Hi end tube preamps, it’s all about functionality!!
This statement is false; this thread is based on a false assumption. Maybe we can disabuse that.


In high end audio, the goal is getting the music to sound real. Many preamps have that as a goal. Certainly 2-channel reproduction is what most of them are designed for. Some accommodate home theater but it should not be a foregone conclusion that they all do, since home theater often involves a processor and other hardware that is often not welcome in an audio system whose main goal is to get the music to sound real.

Clearly in a previous life emergingsoul was a terrier.  He just won't let go.
Have a tube preamp being built for me right now.  Has 1 tube (6BL7GT), one knob (volume) and 2 toggle switches (on/off and input 1/2).  Bet it will sound better than any "high end" preamp.