Adding quality sounding remote functionality to a preamp adds significant cost and complexity to a design. Still I've come to the recent conclusion that a preamp cannot be considered a serious high end design if it lacks remote control capabilities. My argument centers around having the ability to remotely control channel balance. Minute changes in channel balance can snap soundstaging into focus. On modern pop/rock recordings the channel balance may need adjusting 3 or 4 times per disc. This is best accomplished from the sweet spot via a remote. It's a minor adjustment, but it's comparable to the difference between being in the zone on a speaker's toe-in angle versus nailing it dead-on.
Why no remote?
I'm looking to add a tube preamp to my system. I've narrowed it down to a couple....AI Modulus IIIa (which I am leaning towards) and a CJ. The CJ comes with a remote; the AI doesn't. It's frustrating that AI doesn't offer remote control because, for sound, I really prefer it; however, at the same time, I really want a remote (yes, I'm lazy once I sit down to listen). Can someone explain why a company would not offer remote control?
Second, is there a way around this? Creek OBH-10? Others? Would this affect the sound in any way?
I'd also appreciate any other suggestions for tube preamps that are similar to the AI.
Thanks,
Dave
Second, is there a way around this? Creek OBH-10? Others? Would this affect the sound in any way?
I'd also appreciate any other suggestions for tube preamps that are similar to the AI.
Thanks,
Dave