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

AudioFeline said:
There are kits of IR circuits available (circuit board and components) to control a motorised pot. But the kits are more expensive than getting a board with remote from China.
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I would rather build my own, seems like a fun project.

lms said:
One thing that I don't think has been discussed, or maybe I missed it, is where to set your pre-amps volume control? Ex. On my preamp I never really go above the 1pm mark. Let's say you leave it there, incorporate the MCM into the mix, if I press the remote volume up to its highest level, will it max out at where my pre is set, or will it go higher. I never tested this; guess I should have. Or would one max out the preamp?
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It will only get as loud as the signal provided, it does not amplify from what I can tell.
 
I would love to see an add-on product that physically controls the existing volume knob. I think it could be made so that it didn't look horrible. I'd consider putting one on my tube amp. I like the idea that it is purely external to the signal path and simple to add on. I also have another system where the amp is hidden, so I don't really care what the add-on volume control looks like in that case.
 
peterp1 said:
I would love to see an add-on product that physically controls the existing volume knob. I think it could be made so that it didn't look horrible. I'd consider putting one on my tube amp. I like the idea that it is purely external to the signal path and simple to add on. I also have another system where the amp is hidden, so I don't really care what the add-on volume control looks like in that case.
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If your equipment has room for one of these, you might be able to retrofit volume control to an existing unit. That's what I'm thinking about doing. It will be very close on my pre and power amp. Here is a picture of the amp with the cover off. It has to fit inside of the trapezoid shaped bracket on the lover right. It might just fit in there. They make different size shaft lengths and splined or D-shaped.
motpot.jpg IMG_3485.JPG
 
peterp1 said:
I would love to see an add-on product that physically controls the existing volume knob. I think it could be made so that it didn't look horrible. I'd consider putting one on my tube amp. I like the idea that it is purely external to the signal path and simple to add on. I also have another system where the amp is hidden, so I don't really care what the add-on volume control looks like in that case.
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I recall in the days when IR remotes were starting to be more common that I saw an ad for a remote-controlled motor that had an o-ring attached that you could hook around an amp's volume control knob to turn it into a remote controlled volume control. I've done a bit of online searching and haven't been able to find it. It was a niche product, and probably wasn't very successful. I recall scoffing at it when I saw the ad, and probably made a comment about people being too lazy to adjust the volume by hand. I can assure you that I've changed my opinion since then.
 
AudioFeline said:
I recall in the days when IR remotes were starting to be more common that I saw an ad for a remote-controlled motor that had an o-ring attached that you could hook around an amp's volume control knob to turn it into a remote controlled volume control. I've done a bit of online searching and haven't been able to find it. It was a niche product, and probably wasn't very successful. I recall scoffing at it when I saw the ad, and probably made a comment about people being too lazy to adjust the volume by hand. I can assure you that I've changed my opinion since then.
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It's not just our laziness that changed, it's really more the media we (or at least I) use that makes remote volume more of a "must have" today. When we used to play a CD or an album, you could set the volume level once and it would be appropriate for all the songs on that CD/album. Today, when streaming from Spotify, for example, each individual song can have very different volume level. It's not bad if you are streaming a single album from beginning to end, but it is bad when streamed songs are across many different albums, the volume in each song can vary a huge amount. My wife will often ask why I turned up the volume so loud, and of course I haven't touched the volume control, just volume differences between different Spotify tracks.
 
Just got a Schiit Saga +. I have to say I'm impressed. It works perfectly for two amps with multiple inputs. I haven't noticed a difference with the buffer tube in or out of circuit, but either way it doesn't seem to affect the sound of my amps.
 
peterp1 said:
It's not just our laziness that changed, it's really more the media we (or at least I) use that makes remote volume more of a "must have" today. When we used to play a CD or an album, you could set the volume level once and it would be appropriate for all the songs on that CD/album. Today, when streaming from Spotify, for example, each individual song can have very different volume level. It's not bad if you are streaming a single album from beginning to end, but it is bad when streamed songs are across many different albums, the volume in each song can vary a huge amount. My wife will often ask why I turned up the volume so loud, and of course I haven't touched the volume control, just volume differences between different Spotify tracks.
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And before remote control technology became standard we had only four television stations in Australia. The TV would often stay on the one channel all night, and if you did want to change channels you could rely on programs starting and ending at the advertised times.
 
peterp1 said:
I would love to see an add-on product that physically controls the existing volume knob. I think it could be made so that it didn't look horrible.
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Just remember what happened to the last guy who was "tempted" by the robotic hand...:confused:

Big-Bang-Theory-Howard-Arm.jpg
 
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IF, you have a jazz listening buddy, who doesn't like being disturbed. And you sit close enough. Could try a 3' Fiskers reacher/gripper. Avoid the cheap ones. And o'rings over volume knob, for better grip.
 
AudioFeline said:
I recall scoffing at it when I saw the ad, and probably made a comment about people being too lazy to adjust the volume by hand. I can assure you that I've changed my opinion since then.
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You reminded me of something. I always thought that remote controls in cars was the stupidest thing ever, The stereo is less than an arm's length away. Then I got an Alpine that included a remote. Now I love them. All my cars have remote controlled stereos.
 
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Artie said:
You reminded me of something. I always thought that remote controls in cars was the stupidest thing ever, The stereo is less than an arm's length away. Then I got an Alpine that included a remote. Now I love them. All my cars have remote controlled stereos.
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I got a remote control when I put a CD player in my car, and thought that it was the stupidest thing ever because the stereo is less than an arm's length away. I think I used it once or twice to see what it was like, and never used it again. I still don't understand why a remote in a car would be useful.
 
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