I am considering a pre-amp that has no remote. As I sit here listening to music, I have adjusted the volume multiple times in just the last few minutes. I adjust so I can pretend I'm listening to my wife when she tries to talk to me. I adjust for different songs. I adjust in the middle of a song. I tweak to get just the right level from my listening spot.
So for those of you that don't have a remote or don't use one - how do you do it? Is there an adjustment period? Is listening more enjoyable because you can't easily play with the volume?
In addition to the good sound, there is something about moving through the detents of a high-quality manual stepped attenuator, like the gates in a Ferrari shifter.
Contrary to most of these posts, I had no problem in getting rid of the remote. Of course, I did like it, even loved it, but I found I was using it too often to make slight adjustments in volume in a single song rather than listening to the music. I would turn up soft passages, turn down loud passages, etc. etc., and found myself listening more to the volume sometimes than the song.
My friend had no problem without a remote on his older ARC preamp. So, when an opportunity developed to buy a component without a remote, I did it. And, it's worked out fine. Now, I set the volume and tend to leave it that way. If it needs adjustment every so often, I get up and do it. No big deal. It's more relaxing.
I have a remote for my Cary SLP98P preamp and like not having to get up. However, there is less chance of noise without one. I'm not that critical, and as long as all of my equipment works well,I only care what I think. The best thing to me about a remote is that you keep your hands OFF of your equipment. Yes I use white gloves when moving any components or repalcing tubes etc. That way , everything stays very new and if I sell it,the new owner will be very pleased also. I do the same with cars too. Used is great if it is almost or as good as new. You save lots of money and can afford better things this way. Why are so many people so careless with things after they buy them? I've only bought 2 items on Agon both rated about an 8 and when I received them one was (is) a 9.5 the other 9.0 This is how I love to buy and sell. As opposed to EBAY
I generally don't use a remote. Never bothered me one bit, but from what I have seen, for most audiophiles, it is a requirement. It seems we're now willing to compromise sonic performance (presuming a unit being considered without the remote is superior to one being considered with it) for the convenience.
But, who am I to judge? I listen to CDs at almost all times, knowing full well their inherent inferiority to vinyl.
Joe, I think presuming that a preamp w/o a remote is superior to a preamp w/ a remote is a real stretch. As I said earlier, I've owned a few 'high end' preamps w/o remotes from manufacturers like Coda, Krell, Threshold, Conrad Johnson, etc. I have also owned preamps with remotes from manufacturers like Threshold, VAC, ARC, BAT, Krell, etc. As far as what I've heard, the preamps overall design is much more important sonically than whether the preamp has a remote or not.
Grant's preference for the Lamm over the ARC would probably stay the same if the Lamm had a remote and the ARC did not. I've heard enough preamps to know that I believe the remote is a non-issue sonically compared to the design of the preamp. FWIW, I've found that I prefer tubes over SS preamps. That is a major difference to me. Arguing over whether a remote improves or degrades the audio experience is like arguing over whether a phase switch is necessary or not.
The enjoyment of sound is in the design of the preamp, not the bells and whistles. That's my $0.02.
In 1980, my Navy roommate (uncle Chuck) and I were approached by a salesman putting the hard sell on us to buy a remote controlled tv.
Chuck acted very annoyed, stared the guy down and said in a stern voice 'sir, the day I am too dang lazy to tell my wife and kids to adjust the tv- I'll buy one!'
About two years ago I was looking for a preamp to replace my McCormack RLD 1 preamp , which was no slouch to begin with. It was a full featured remote pre, although I never really like it's digital volume I did appreciate it having a remote. I came across the Conrad Johnson Classic 2SE, a stripped down pre, no remote, just a source selector and conventional volume control. I had some reservation about going from a fully remote pre to such a stripped down design. After listing to it in what was probably a $50k system it was clear that this pre was a keeper and that sound not features were more important. On top of that several of my sources had remote variable line out so when I was too lazy to get my ass off the couch I could still at least control the volume. I could have maybe stretched my budget and bought an ET3 but I wanted an SE with upgraded Teflon caps and Vishay resistors, which was $1500 more than the base SE. For me the Classic was just what I was looking for, I don't regret it one bit.
Years ago I thought I might design a remote called the "Knobulater." A small box with a pulley which allows a rubber belt to run from it to the volume knob…controlled by a remote to drive the belt and switch direction. Zero degradation except to my dignity if the thing failed. Clearly, I was (and am) too lazy to follow through with this, but hey…there ya go.
The only time I can live without a remote is when Im playing DJ at a party using my PA equipment and standing in reach. Or when the electronics are within reach from my lazy-boy seat. I set my analog tuner up on my coffee table right next to me since I'm a channel surfer.
As the OP of this thread (name change is a long story) I did indeed go to a shindo set-up many years ago and don't really miss having one. At the moment, hobbled by a foot operation, it would be nice but it is not that bad.
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