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Manual preamp volume control - Audible Illusions M3B

Is it true that most preamps with remote control have a lot to do with their sound quality?
Do vintage preamps with manual precision volume control have the inherent advantage over modern preamps with remote control?
After a few months of mulling over preamp upgrade, I took a plunge on Audible Illusions M3B preamp after reading some posts on the advantage of manual volume control over remote.
Some, including Michael Fremer, considered AI M3A was one of the best preamp.
" All of this adds up to what is clearly one of the finest-sounding, best-built full-function preamplifiers in the world—and the reviews from around the world reflect that."
https://www.stereophile.com/tubepreamps/316/index.html

M3B is considered much better than M3A. AI still produces M3B (preamp with MM phono) and M3B MC (phono for low output) with no remote control.
If the answer to my two questions are true, when most super charged audiophiles search for holy grails, why they choose preamps with remote control over those with manual control, and prefer convenience over sound quality?


128x128ihcho
ihcho's avatar
ihcho OP
612 posts
 
Well, then the answers to my questions are No and No?
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,388 posts
 
I went from a Modulus 3B to a McIntosh tube preamp for 3 reasons. First was customer service from AI is almost non-existence and as Art Ferris is way up there in age, I worried what would happen when he passes. Second was I am getting very lazy in my old age and wanted a full function tube preamp with a remote. Third was I had a Modulus 3 and a 3A before the 3B and was tired of the AI and wanted to try a different brand.
ihcho's avatar
ihcho OP
612 posts
 
Well, I have at least another 10 years or so to reach to a point that I would not want to get up and change the volume or source. So, I can keep this for next 10 years. Anyway, I can use my second system with remote control.
I’ve read about horrible delays of services from AI, but interestingly Art was very responsive to my simple question through email. Hope he remains that way for another 10 years.
So, by the way, was M3B a noticeable improvement over 3A? I haven’t read anybody saying no.
How does M3B compare with Mac pre?
For my systems - Plinius SA102 (upgraded) and Gershman Grand Avant Garde - M3B outperforms my Plinius M16P and PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium. I still cant' believe a preamp makes this much difference in sound quality.
I don’t know how much it has to do with the volume control, but M3B is a clear winner. This motto applies to M3B IMHO: simple is better, and less is more.
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,771 posts
 
There are different implementations. Some use a motorized potentiometer while other use solid state attenuators. Which one is best? Both also require circuitry for the remote operation which could impact sound quality.
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,508 posts
 
Just off the top of my head...AI uses two separate volume controls and says they are stepped attenuators. So it should have a quality volume pathway. Others can have motorized stepped attenuators so no handicap there either. The one to look out for is digital volume controllers that drop bits to control volume (not really sure they drop bits but some digital signal is dumped and lost). 
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