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Adding remote volume capability to a preamplifier/power amp system?

Old Guy8

Old Guy8

Cliff & Cleo
Subscriber
I've been searching the archives for solutions that might be transparent and only add minimal noise. Installed between pre and power amps or in the tape loop. To allow a remote to adjust volume and possibly mute also.

Anyone wanted to do this and found a solution?

Some devices i found suggested, but I believe are no longer made:
1) Emotiva Control Freak
2) Keene Volume Control
3) McIntosh CR7

And ones that are still available:
4) MCM Custom Audio #50-8394, IR Remote, Volume Control, Line Level. about $45+shipping. I have questions about it adding noise. Edit: I may have bias, because of it's low cost. And price points of MCMs other products. Maybe unfounded from posts here.
5) Audiocubics R-Cube $295 plus $50 shipping
Audiocubics.com This looks of quality and good specs, but too expensive for my budget!

DIY ideas:
7) Build an IR device with a motorized armature with pulley or knob. Place device under preamps volume knob. Use rubber band or belt to turn preamps volume knob.
I have seen some IR motorized potentiometer board / Remote kits online.

I'm not an experienced electronic DIYer.

8) Add another IR capable minimalist preamplifier between my preamp and power amp or in tape loop. I've seen a number of Chinese units on Ebay. Some look of decent build quality. But, this duplicates my preamp, which is a nice quiet one, with separate power supply box.

My system is Bryston 3B power amp with BP20 Preamplifier. (No Remote Capability)
It's a low background noise system, IMO.

EDIT: I bought one. See post#16 for info on it.
 
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Depending on your source, some of those sources have remote volume controls, such as my Oppo 983 CDP.
That type of source may give you the control you need vs full control of every source
 
Jim, i have a complicated setup.
I have a variety of sources:
2 Turntables
NAD BE546 CD player with analog outs.
Chromecast Audio to Schiit Modi Multibit DAC
Cassette deck

And to complicate more I share some sources, CDP, CCA and cassette, between two systems. Using a 2x4 RCA Switcher.
 
Looks like that MCM unit would fit the bill. Also you can grab one used off of the Bay for less than $30 so if it isn't to your liking you are not out a whole bunch.

The first three you listed were either not available or are going to cost you an arm and a leg...
 
What gives me pause about the MCM, is the low prices on all products I see under thier name. Doesn't give me the feeling of quality.
 
Old Guy8 said:
What gives me pause about the MCM, is the low prices on all products I see under thier name. Doesn't give me the feeling of quality.
Click to expand...
With my old TV I had to boost the line level a bit so I got a cheap Chinese in-line "preamp" that had a volume control in it. It worked fine and I didn't hear any extra noise with it at all. The thing is, you are only wanting it to do one basic thing and that is control the volume and not be noisy. If it does that then you got what you want. If it fails you are out about $30 or so. The Emotiva Control Freak that I found for sale was going for over $300. So there is that.

The reviews for the MCM unit seem to be decent enough. The only real complaint seems to be a blue LED that is too bright. On the unit I was using it also had an LED that was too bright and so I used black electrical tape to cover it up, which worked.
 
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The Audiocubics looks nice but I'm not sure that justifies paying ten times more for basically the same exact thing. But that would be up to you.
 
I've contacted pjlelectronics on Ebay about a IR remote controlled volume and mute functions device. Has a Bourn motorized potentiometer. With remote. And also uses Sony codes.
Maybe builds as a cottage manufacturer in USA. Will see what they have to say.
$129+ 12 shipping.
 
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coonmanx said:
With my old TV I had to boost the line level a bit so I got a cheap Chinese in-line "preamp" that had a volume control in it. It worked fine and I didn't hear any extra noise with it at all. The thing is, you are only wanting it to do one basic thing and that is control the volume and not be noisy. If it does that then you got what you want. If it fails you are out about $30 or so. The Emotiva Control Freak that I found for sale was going for over $300. So there is that.

The reviews for the MCM unit seem to be decent enough. The only real complaint seems to be a blue LED that is too bright. On the unit I was using it also had an LED that was too bright and so I used black electrical tape to cover it up, which worked.
Click to expand...
Sometimes like you say cheap gear can do a good job. I do buy and use cheap gear, like Schiit brand and no name Chinese tube stuff. It's just that, even though I bought the 26 year old Bryston preamp used, new ones they ask a few $$$.
But that Audiocubics unit is too pricey for me.

Edit, the pjlelectronics unit has a knob on it to manually adjust volume. For when placing stylus on records, I wouldn't have to use remote, when standing over amps.
 
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I ordered one from pjlelectronics. Says only thing in amps path is the potentiometer.
Will give my opinion when received. With pics.

I have no connections to pjlelectronics on Ebay.
 
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Old Guy8 said:
4) MCM Custom Audio #50-8394, IR Remote, Volume Control, Line Level. about $45+shipping. I have questions about it adding noise?
Click to expand...

I have this device.

Though I`ve not had the need to use it for any of my various house stereos, my "bat eared" (very SQ critical) B-I-L borrowed it from me for about a month in 2020 while he fixed his variable audio output CD player.

And since I had not had any experience with it prior, I was curious and asked him how well it preformed..
He claimed it worked very well, and was not aware of any undesirable SQ changes when he was using it feeding streaming audio from his desktop computer to his rack.
I would use it if/when I had/have a need.
 
Bill Ferris said:
I have this device.

Though I`ve not had the need to use it for any of my various house stereos, my "bat eared" (very SQ critical) B-I-L borrowed it from me for about a month in 2020 while he fixed his variable audio output CD player.

And since I had not had any experience with it prior, I was curious and asked him how well it preformed..
He claimed it worked very well, and was not aware of any undesirable SQ changes when he was using it feeding streaming audio from his desktop computer to his rack.
I would use it if/when I had/have a need.
Click to expand...

Bill thanks for your posts. And your BIL experiences with MCM. I picked my poison. The little higher priced one above. It has a motorized two speed potentiometer. And a knob adjustment when near by, which I may like. Ships tomorrow. So will soon find out if I like it.
OG
 
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So this is the unit I ordered, from pjlelectronics on Ebay:
16270865382062849059589594595059.jpg 16270865665064052033047140794188.jpg 16270865865502627226317518147595.jpg
So my BP20 Preamp has a volume potentiometer and this unit adds a second potentiometer between preamp and power amp.
Would like your opinions:
Where should I set the Preamp potentiometer? At 100%.
 
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avionic said:
I would experiment .. How many times do you use 100% ? Probably never.. Use the pre-amp as a volume limiter..
Click to expand...
My 3B NRB I believe is rated 250 wpc @ 4ohms. Even driving 86db spl Maggie's to my maximum about 75 dbs at 10 feet from. I can guarantee I won't get anywhere near 100 %.
 
I received the IR Remote Volume Control and remote today. Motor driven potentiometer. RCAs in from preamp. RCAs out to power amp.
It works as I hoped. Remote raises or lowers volume one large step with each button press. Or, press and hold down button for slower raising or lowering of volume. Also mute button and power button. It uses Sony codes, which code #s were provided. So I should also be able to use a Sony remote or Sony universal remote I have.

If it continues to work without issues, I can definitely recommend it.
16274234834437547802549176267085.jpg
 
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One feature to this unit, I don't think i mentioned. When it is turned off, it is programmed to run the potentiometer down to zero before it shuts off.

Have not yet tried the Sony codes in a Sony remote. I have a spare Sony universal remote to use.

It is working out well for my needs.

EDIT:
Manual also mentions:
"Dry contact outputs follow power status. Ideal for triggering external devices/amps. Contacts rated 1A @ 12 Vdc."
I don't know how triggering works. I think my Bryston preamplifier's power supply also has similar contacts.


Edit 8/8/21: This remote was a seamless upgrade to my preamplifier. Works great, and I don't hear any noise from it. Having manual knob on base unit is handy.
16284345607242381320830935441948.jpg
 
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