2. amps-preamps
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Is preamp remote volume a deal breaker for you?

I've been looking for a quality active tube preamp with remote volume control. Most high quality tube preamps that are reasonably priced (ie, under $4000) do not come with remote volume. Those that do use the cheap motorized Alps pot (I've had bad experience with Alps), probably because it's cheap and widely available. I've seen some very expensive preamps us this pot, unfortunately. The two very high quality preamps I've read about are the SAS Labs 11A, Don Allens preamp, and Atma-sphere M3, but the designers refuses to implement remote because they believe the sound will suffer. Atma-sphere uses a huge hand assembled remote volume only for there expensive MP1. A preamp without remote is a deal breaker for me. How about you?
dracule1
larryi
4,117 posts
 
For me it is a deal breaker. When I found the linestage I liked, I got the designer to add a resistor ladder type volume control that is switched by relay (components can be bought and added by a designer who knows what he is doing).

A well implemented remotely controlled volume/balance setup can be just as good sonically as manual volume control. The designer/builder has to be committed to so doing.
tanglewood
43 posts
 
deal breaker. i'd have to have a remote. i change volume often based on what song is playing.
guinness
48 posts
 
After 10 years of static, yes. I have a c-j PF2 (Alps pot) that doesn't have a remote. I couldn't afford the best model with one at the time. I didn't have a remote before, so how could I miss something I never had. That was fine for years until I realized that static electricity sent loud pops through my system when the humidity was low in winter. I'd have to ground myself by touching the equipment rack before adjusting the volume/inputs on the preamp.

After that, when I upgraded, I didn't look at preamps without remotes. Fortunately, I had the budget to get a preamp with remote and fully appreciate the volume/mute/phono cartridge loading benefits (McIntosh C500T). I won't go back.

conrad-johnson uses resistor ladder attenuators with relays (not pots and motors) on their tube preamps. You might look at their premier 17LS or newer units as a option, especially the used market.

Relax, have a Central Waters Illumination IPA and listen to some Dire Straits...
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
Deal-breaker. My last three line stages have had remotes (CJ Premier 14, Premier 17LS2, and now Aesthetix Calypso), and I wouldn't be without one. I strongly recommend the Calypso.
rockadanny
1,226 posts
 
Nope. Best audio quality was my goal when shopping. If that included a remote, then great. If not, then I didn't care. Ended up with one which does not have a remote control and I've adjusted to it just fine. Have had it for years. I spin CDs, one at a time, so I need to get up to swap in a new CD anyway. And quickly was able to judge how loud standing at system was proper volume at seat. Usually get it right so no problem.
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