Anyone own one of these preamps ?

Just wait until I tell you about how a lithium battery in your remote can actually help improve the sound stage. The reason one would desire a metal remote it will help with the knock test experience. Goes a long ways, towards making one feel good about their purchases. 
sorry op for going off topic, I still vote 🗳️ for the Anthem! 
 

@ Gkelly Lithium , Right does that make the signal travel faster to the receiver ?

Thanks all so far for the feedback, much appreciated.   IF ANYONE has a line preamp not listed that’s been a home run for you, and that’s in the same ballpark price-wise (roughly $3500 — $8K), feel free to toss it into the discussion.   
 

BTW, I think he does use the remote on his current Parasound line preamp but I’m not sure how often or how important it is to him, I’ll ask.    

Those preamps are sonically all over the place hence you’re predictably getting recommendations all over the place.  What’s he using now, what specific improvements is he looking for, and what amp is he using (need to know input impedance for proper matching).  Without that critical info this is just a random crapshoot. 

Folks the fact the remote is metal is not the important point. It is the fact the engineers wanted to give as much thought to the remote as the Anthem STR itself.

They were concerned in the complete product experience. This carries on to the complete product, The ARC room correction is worth the price alone. The MC and MM phono inputs add significant value. It has no HDMI but is designed for 2 channel Stereo listening, they make a unit for home theater AVM70. I love well engineered products having enjoyed B&W,Yamaha,Luxman,phase Linear,Nakamichi and may other well known well engineered products.

The STR is well engineered to the point that it has a remote to match, No the remote does not make it sound better, but the rest ois just as engineered to match.

I love mine and will buy its replacement from Anthem knowing it will be just as well designed. Thanks