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Anyone notice this with PrimaLuna EVO 400 remote??

Just wondered if any PrimaLuna EVO 400 preamp or integrated owners have noticed how imprecise the volume control is with the remote? The increase with the lightest touch of the button (if you hold it down, it will get away from you quick), is significantly louder (softer if you're lowering the volume) from the previous step thus making fine adjustment up or down impossible.  Is it just me or have others found that too? 

For some this may be no big deal because they may have dedicated listening rooms where they can set it and go, but unfortunately I get frequent interruptions in a non dedicated listening space and therefore quick and subtle volume adjustments are needed. But beyond that, I don't want to go from soft to LOUD with one push of a button. I want to hear those levels in between as well--without having to get up to walk up to the unit and change manually.  I know this will confound some here, but this lack of control is kind of deal breaker for me. YMMV.  
cabalaska
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
volume control is such a primary, essential aspect of high end audio gear ergonomics... poor designs of these are a bad indication of the overall thoughtfulness (or lack thereof, i should say) of the maker...

i like primaluna, have a power amp... but this on their top of the line integrated or preamp would piss me off to no end...
cabalaska OP
21 posts
 
jjss49, I agree and to be honest it really did piss me off.  The overall build of the unit is simply top notch but then the remote and the volume control synergy--or lacke thereof-- do seem like an afterthought.  They boast about the japanese alps blue velvet volume potentiometer, and I'm sure it's a quality component, but it does not behave well with the supplied remote unfortunately. Anyway, it was too much of a frustration for me that I couldn't live with it. That and the fact that I leave my ss power amp on all the time and I hated having to turn off the amp in order to turn on the preamp.  I'm sure it's a great piece of gear, but it didn't work for me. 

millercarbon, I haven't called Dave at Raven because he only has integrated amps (that I can see on his site) and I need a preamp, plus I've decided against tubes for now. 

Think I'm going to get the Pass xp-22. 
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jjss49
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op

look into don sachs, conrad johnson, herron, among others -- they understand how important volume control smoothness, granularity, and adjustabillity is, and implement much better than what you are describing

frankly i am surprised kevin deal/primaluna put this out there working as poorly as it does ...


cat_doorman
237 posts
 
How much of the dial were you using in total? Too much gain could significantly reduce the adjustability in your preferred loudness neighborhood. I’ve been considering low gain tube preamps and the EVO300 was on my list. This sounds like an issue I’d like to avoid, but I figured I’d be safe with preamps under 12dB of gain. 
tuberist
951 posts
 
Alaska, I haven’t had the issue you described. Usually I give my PL remote  a light tap to move the volume up or down. I like the calibration and the tank like build and simplicity of design.
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