Is preamp remote volume a deal breaker for you?

Dracule1, we investigated relay-operated volume controls and spent a lot of money in the process. They are quite good but a good quality rotary switch sounds better...

Al, one *would* think that the shorter the cable the better, but even in the case of 1 meter, I have seen similar benefits. The example I am thinking of is the tone arm cable, which is often only 1 meter (many audiophiles will go through quite a bit of effort and money finding the 'right' phono cable...). Since all cartridges are balanced sources, its possible to run the phono balanced to the preamp. If you are using a LOMC and have some sort of loading for it at the input of the preamp, the result is that you have a low-impedance balanced line and the cable will have no artifact. So an inexpensive cable in this situation will keep up with the most expensive with ease, as long as the cable is built right, which really has little to do with the cost.

Many people don't realize that LOMC cartridges, while having low voltage output, can have rather high current outputs, thus their ability to drive a 100 ohm resistor and the like.

Ralph and Al,
After being in and out of this business for 32 years, I don't often learn much new.... I appreciate you guys.
Thanks for the education.... again.
Tim

Remote? No way.
I pay for best performance, not for comfort.

Syntax, so you rather drive a NASCAR stock race car as a daily driver than a Lexus? :-)

Dracule1,
Your analogy does`nt apply. As a daily driver the Lexus would in fact be the "better performer". It we move to the race track the race car has the better performance.

I honestly don`t know if a well designed remote degrades sound at the very highest level of performance or not. It`s interesting that many of the ultra level; cost no object preamps avoid the remote control.

As in all things regarding audio, it ultimately becomes a matter of personal choice and compromise.