@soix 

the Raven is a nice find.

"state-of-the-art Khozmo volume control, with remote control (standard) and 0.5 dB left-to-right balancing ... on the remote, so you don’t need to get up to make precise corrections while you listen."

"The Raven preamp has a dual mono Khozmo attenuator system with naked foil resistors for the signal path. You can turn the unit on and off using the power button on the front panel. The other button allows input selection, and will cycle through the inputs with every touch. The volume knob changes level. The remote control allows you to change inputs, mute the preamp, turn the display on and off, and change volume. It has one more key feature that allows you to change the volume of each channel independently using the L+, L-, R+ and R- buttons. You can have one channel slightly louder than the other to compensate for speaker or room variations. The channel difference is maintained when you raise and lower the master volume with the VOL+ and VOLbuttons. To restore perfect channel balance simply set the channels to the same level."

The McIntosh, you use the remote, go into the menu, find balance, then adjust it remotely. I wonder if it has a memory of what you did last. It wouldn’t take long to get quick with it, but it’s nice if it’s a dedicated button/rocker so you can adjust volume and balance with ease.

.............................

I bet Aric could use the DUAL MONO version of the Khozmo in a Custom unit, and that would include the dual mono remote like the Raven.

I just wrote Khozmo

"I saw a unit with Khozmo DUAL MONO and it had a remote with master volume and individual volume for left and right.
https://www.spatialaudiolab.com/raven-preamplifier
Who else is making a preamp with DUAL MONO, balance on the remote?

Do you have a custom department, for you to make it?

Thanks, Elliott"

Joseph Crowe is also using the DUAL MONO Khozmo with balance controls on the remote

https://josephcrowe.com/products/preamplifier-no-2310

He is related/connected/in cahoots with Spatial which is a Don Sachs inspired design.

http://www.dsachsconsulting.com/CitationRestoration.html

"Sept 3, 2023:I have partnered with Spatial Audio Lab in Salt Lake City to build the new Raven preamp and Blackbird 300b mono amps."

Just send money, lots of it! You can’t take it with you.

Or, buy a Chase RLC-1 for $100.

Sorry to go off on a tangent, but OP did show some interest in 6sn7 and Remote Balance

@winoguy17 

That ModWright seems like a winner

https://www.modwright.com/products/ls-100-tube-preamp/

"Remote Control Functions Include:

• Power.
• Two remote trigger outputs.
• Selectable balance control, may be bypassed for cleaner signal path.
• Volume control.
• Mute.
• Input select.
• Monitor input select.

Preamp Functions Include:

• Upgrade slot for Optional in-board Phono stage.
• Built in headphone amp fed via tube driver stage.
• Home Theater Bypass.
• All pushbutton control, no toggle switches.

LS 100 Tube PHONO OPTION:

• One pair RCA inputs.
• Tube Design: (1)12AX7, (1)12AU7
• MC: Total gain = 63dB (including preamp stage)
• MM: 12AX7 replaced with 12AU7 = 48dB gain.
• Loading: 50, 100, 500, 1K, 47K, 100pf via internal dip switches.
  [USER/DEALER INSTALLABLE OPTION]"

"Notes: Rectangular plate is installed over the Opt. input on the back panel of the unit. This is removed when installing optional Phono Stage or DAC upgrade. There is room for two RCA connectors for phono or two connectors for digital. Phono upgrade is user installable. DAC upgrade is a factory installed option only. The optional Phono Stage upgrade board fits onto a pair of 20-pin headers on the main tube board and signal input connectors are secured to back panel of preamp enclosure. Phono upgrade option is entirely user/dealer installable. Optional DAC upgrade MUST be done at ModWright Factory by ModWright Technicians. Design is phase inverting and this may be addressed by reversing polarity at both speaker cables, either at amp(s) or speakers.

It has HT Bypass, and a Tape Loop

Phono MM and MC, via INTERNAL resistors (better than nothing, but that sucks if you have a few cartridges)

Cartridge loading is achieved via internal dip-switches. Factory setting is 100 ohm, zero capacitance. Two 6-row dip switch banks are located on the board. Loading is as follows:  Dip Switch 1 up = 100 ohm; Dip Switch 2 up = 100 ohm.  Dip Switch 1 & 2 up = 50 ohm.  Dip Switch 3 up = 1K; Dip Switch 4 up = 1K.  Dip Switch 3 & 4 up = 500 ohm.  Dip Switch 5 up = 47K; Dip Switch 6 up = 100pf. Total gain of phono and LS stages combined equals 70dB, adjustable via preamp volume control.

Phono uses 12au7 and 12ax7 (This is unique and very interesting)

Note: Installing a second 12AU7 in place of the 12AX7 will reduce gain by 15dB, making it 9 more suitable for higher gain cartridges. If you find that your cartridge has too much gain and is overloading the phono stage, then it is recommended to power down the unit, remove power cord and replace the 12AX7 tube with a 12AU7.

KHOZMO got right back to me, here is another Preamp using Khozmo’s DUAL MONO with remote balance.

Not tubes, but switchable remote balance may become a thing.

"Hi Elliot

thanks for your interest.

Check out my other brand with dualmono and remote
https://hattor.com/product/dualmono/
https://hattor.com/product/autoformer-reference-preamplifier/

Best regards
Arek Kallas
Khozmo Acoustic
www.khozmo.com
www.hattor.com

........................................

It seems inexpensive, from Poland, showing USD Sign, $     anyone know anything about them

•  PayPal or Credit Card

...............................................

The BIG – Dualmono Preamp

Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 5customer ratings

 (5 customer reviews)

......................................

Positive Feedback Review

https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/khozmo-acoustic-passive-preamplifier/

I never thought about this:

"But then I thought, since each of the 64 steps are a unique set of resistors, any break-in happening would only be for the certain volumes I selected. The idea of having to step through each to let it break-in over time did not seem appealing, so I skipped the whole idea of break-in and just listened."

"Simply put, this is the best linestage/preamp I've ever had in my system. No it isn't perfect, and we'll discuss those reasons soon, but from what I wanted a linestage to do, the Khozmo does all of it at least as good, and generally better, than any other preamp or linestage I've tried in the past."

"I'm kind of looking for something to criticize, and honestly, it is more about your system setup than any issue with the Khozmo Passive. Either your system will work well with a passive or it won't. I'm lucky in that mine always has been very agreeable to passive linestages."

"To sum up, though this may be viewed by some as a good low cost, budget or entry level product based on its price, in reality it is a real, honest-to-goodness High End linestage that could be at home in a system many times the cost of my own humble setup. It gets my highest recommendation."