2. amps-preamps
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Remote Control (Passive) Preamp

I’m in need of a remote control preamp, preferably passive but active could work. I used to have my volume control (passive potentiometer preamp) next to the listening chair and I ran long RCAs to the amps. Now I have all my gear on the other side of the room and have to get up to change the volume. I really liked having the volume next to me so I can fine tune the volume setting based on the track and my listening mood. 

Remote control would be nice. I’ve looked into Khozmo’s stuff and it’s really nice but a pinch out of my price range. Does anyone know of any cheaper solutions or DIY options?

The ideal solution would be a pot-like dial near the listening chair that degrades the signal as little as possible. 

128x128mkgus
asahitoro
244 posts
 
Another vote for the Schiit Saga.
mkgus's avatar
mkgus OP
324 posts
 
Thank you, you guys are awesome!
jc51373
525 posts
 
I second the recommendation for Tortuga. Best solution out there to add a volume and some tube varnish. 
mrdecibel
3,063 posts
 
I love my Luminous Audio, which uses a Khozmo, and I do not hear it. Might be too much for your budget.
mkgus's avatar
mkgus OP
324 posts
 
To close the loop, I ended up with a Khozmo stepped attenuator preamp with remote control. It is very well-built! Even the remote. I’ve noticed nice gear can sometimes have cheesy remotes. Not so with the Khozmo. 

I did struggle for awhile to figure out how best to connect everything. I was not a fan of only the passive pre between my source and amplifier, probably due to an impedance mismatch. In fact, the Khozmo sat on the shelf for awhile and was replaced with a $50 pot preamp. How did this thing get such good reviews, I wondered, while a good chunk of my money sat on the sidelines collecting dust? That is until I placed my tube buffer between the Khozmo and my amplifier. This must have fixed the impedance issue I was having because holy cow does it sound nice! Highly recommended as long as you know how to account for all the impedances in your chain. And that’s not a problem with the Khozmo - it’s a challenge with any passive preamp. At the end of the day, I am happy to have the Khozmo in my line up. Very transparent. I don’t even want to use metaphors or descriptions to describe the sound because it just gets out of the way and lets the music flow through, which is exactly what you want a passive preamp to do. 
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