Mcintosh Volume control acting erratic

Have you tried unplugging the unit and resetting the pre-amp? Since it has a micro-processor in the volume control,it may have had some brain flatulence and just needs a re-bbot. If that doesn't do it call Chuck Hinton at Mcintosh if anything they will fix it under warranty.
I have had many Mcintosh pre-amps and have bfound the re-boot to fix any quirks. When it didn't Chuck helped me out.
Good people, great equipment.

My MX 132 will sometimes need to be re-booted, which means turning off the main switch and leaving it off for a few minutes. No big deal

It could be a static discharge when you touch the unit. That is what happened to mine. Simply turn it off and unplug for a few minutes and you should be good to go like Theo says.

I have had a similar problem for some time to the point where the only way to change volume is via the remote. I spoke to the folks at Mcintosh who told me if the reset doesn't solve the problem, it will need to be sent for service. I would be less bothered by this if the remote weren't so cluttered. Anybody know of a quality programmable remote-somthing like Simaudio's-to provide very basic functions. Volume control is all I need

Depending on how many compnents you want to program into a remote I have the marantz RC1400 and love it. I had the RC2000mkII and that was good but not enough memory. But I run my whole system 9 componnents with this little remote and a couple of macros. I like the ability to punch through other component functions to each component screen.