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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
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.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,291 posts
 
If best audio quality is the goal, then a remote is very helpful. The remote should be capable of making very small adjustments in left/right channel balance. These small adjustments can snap the soundstage into better focus and can only be judged from the listening position. Very few remotes have this function. It is probably very costly to properly implement.
markus1299
252 posts
 
Cary SLP05 is the ticket
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Check out Cayin, most of their tube amps have a remote. I have the 100 and I am very pleased.
dracule1 OP
1,085 posts
 
I hope designers who don't have a remote in their current preamp consider spending the extra time designing or implementing a remote that works to their satisfaction -- but no motorized Alps pot please! I didn't realize such for a large percent of audiophiles a remote was a deal breaker. Manufacturers may be losing more than half their business because a lack of a remote.
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