Life without a remote

RhIjazz raises a good point about some stepped attenuators (whether remotely controlled or not). I agree that ones with too few steps are not useful because the ideal volume almost always lies between steps. Those with 2 db steps are particularly annoying (one of my objections to transformer passives which necessarily are limited in the number of available steps).

But stepped attenuators, like those in BAT, Boulder, Levinson, VTL, etc. linestages, have enough finely graded steps to avoid these concerns. Some of these have steps that seem unnecessarily small (my Levinson No. 32 has .1 db steps), but, the small steps are more important for setting channel balance than volume. I have found that a .2 db change in channel balance is clearly audible, though a 1 db step in volume when playing music, is hard to hear. That is probably the reason for having such small increments in the better units with stepped volume controls.

For years (until we got our remote system running) I kept the preamp 3 feet from my listening chair. I still do- the interconnects are 30 feet long, but the preamp can drive 100 feet no problem. So I put the preamp where I wanted, unfettered by any dictates of the cables, sonic or otherwise.

I somehow managed to live for 40 years w/o a remote for my 2-channel, however, after using one for the last 8 years I now feel it's a neccessary evil if you will. I also find that I use it quite a bit as I do not have a dedicated listening room. Since family members come in and out, as do phone calls, a volume control and/or mute is very convienient. I'm sure I could just turn the volume down and listen all the time at background music levels, but what's the fun of that?

I also find a remote balance control and phase shift helpful in getting the most out of the music. Since many recordings are recorded out of absolute polarity, I find it easier to hear the difference when switching instantaneously from the listening position.

I did consider buying a preamp w/o remote a few months ago too, but a friend of mine just went through it, and I realized that I would probably be just like him, and tire of no remote and re-sell the preamp in a month or two. I'm starting to lose the desire to buy equipment that I just re-sell again. I'm looking for something that will last for a few years, and for me, that includes a remote.

The fact that you are even asking this question would suggest to me that you are not a candidate as someone who could live long term w/o a remote.

Cheers,
John

I've lived without a remote for years. Recently trained my cat to work the preamp and the cd....she's having a bit of a problem with the turntable although MUCH better than my wife.Playing records I mean.

Good for the cat! People underestimate these discreet animals. There is much they know and can share if given a chance, even though the lack of thumbs makes them poor hitchhikers.

30 posts on this passionate subject... I don't feel the lack of a remote volume control on either of my systems. I am just learning to use the "Play" button on the CD transport. These two steps in the learning curve may have some influence on my listening habits. For example, I tend to play the whole CD.