Is preamp remote volume a deal breaker for you?

absoultely a deal breaker. I have a laptop as my source and I can switch cds/songs very easily. Becuase different recordings have different volume levels, I need to adjust often. I also have my 2 channel set up hooked into tv so I need input select too. For example, I may be watching a football game but have music on. If I feel the need to here the comentary or something, I need to change inputs. Remotes are great, and I do not believe it has to compromise sound quality. I think there is plenty of preamps that sound great with remotes.

best audio quality doesn't equate with "not having a remote"

with the advent of the music server and using playlists--remote is critical logistically imo. if you play vinyl only, you probably don't care one bit.

Preamp remote and source remote are two different things.

Not only do I eschew remotes, my sources and preamps (both are single input/output so on occasion I'm switching cables) are in a totally separate room than my amp and speakers. Getting up is not a bother. I tend to listen to my CDs/LPs all the way through. Ultimately I'm going to have to get up and flip an LP, reload a tape, or change a CD at some point. I know my media and room well enough that I can set the volume instantly.

In general volume control switches and implementing remote controls are two of the weakest points in preamp design. Designers have to make critical decisions to meet certain price points. The volume switch and how the remote function are designed/implemented are a couple of them. Good switches cost money (heck even bad ones do these days). The work involved in designing/implementing a remote function that doesn't negatively impact the sound, and all but the very best (translated = most expensive) do, involves time and money (even if you are using some off the shelf product like Bent) bumping costs up even more. Some designers cannot justify those costs.

It becomes a trade off for most consumers too. What features/functions do we prioritize in a preamp design? What are we willing to give up to get something we want.

Here's my preamp history:
Onkyo P304
Adcom GFP 565
Melos SHA 1
Rowland Consonance
Adcom GFP 750
Pass Aleph P w/remote
Pass X1
Pass XP-10

Starting with the Rowland, I've had a remote.
Since then, I don't audition anything without a remote.
Why would I? The XP-10 sounds better than anything I've had in my system, ever.
I said the same thing about my X1, until I heard the XP-10.
My preamp is once again the premier component in my system.

If I didn't have a remote I'd hear even less of what people (i.e. girlfriend) attempt to say to me when I'm listening to my stereo. I've been to the Alps, and I'm staying.