John DeVore talks about Knob Feel
Anyone here watched John DeVore discuss “knob feel” — the tactile, sensory interaction you have with your gear as much as the sonic result.
I know exactly what John DeVore means when he talks about knob feel. My Garrard 301, Degritter UCM and Softone Model IV phono are perfect examples — they exude that precise, tactile satisfaction that makes every interaction a small joy. There’s a deliberate weight and smooth resistance to the controls that you just don’t find often anymore.
It’s funny how something as simple as turning a knob can heighten the whole listening ritual — it connects you physically to the gear and, in a way, to the music itself. That sense of craftsmanship and intentionality reminds you why we love this hobby. Remote control be damned.
For those of us obsessed with system synergy, this is a reminder: don’t ignore the physical interface. The best sounding phono stage, tube amp or speaker might still feel “off” if the user interaction is clunky. That little detail influences how you listen, which affects how the music lands.
If you’ve got gear with excellent tactile controls (volume, input selector, tone controls, etc.), I’d love to hear: does the knob feel contribute to your listening enjoyment? Or do you consider it secondary to performance?
“Yes, the second or so half of the video is about the ML-7 preamp, but I saw it mostly as a way to elaborate on his acquisition of a preamp” I’m not sure why you felt the need to defend the “real” intent of the video — my point was simply about how it came across. |
I will say my old Sansui 8080's knobs felt as if they were oil dampened. Smooth as silk. My Krell KCT volume is ridiculously light. So light it's as if a fly could land at the 1:00 position and the weight would turn it. But in all fairness, the Krell metal remote does make up for it. Now I rarely get off my duff and physically touch the pre-amp itself. I much preferred the Sansui feel and just writing about it gets me thinking how much I prefer the feel of firm knobs. ;-) |
@faustuss wrote:
Care to elaborate? ;) |
@lalitk wrote:
How it came across, you say? Well, I guess I'm in the same camp - i.e. that's how it came across to me. I just differ in opinion. |
