DIY Q: Remote-Manual Dual Knob

[Markgm]

Hi,
Ok, if I went here (for example),
Phonopreamps.com Home Page
I would find small, passive preamps.

The next step would be to make a unit with a remote-controllable knob, sensor, and its own adjustable feet (custom box).

Face the two units to each other, and glue the knobs together, or perhaps add pins to the added knob, so (aligned) drilled holes can receive them.

How much would be involved in the electronics for a remote-control knob box? I was wondering how much a project with a $60 passive pre and such a thing could cost.

In fact, I've never heard a $60 passive pre. I could start with that. But then, to add a remote.

TIA -
Mark

[ultrachrome]

So you just want a remote passive preamp? Or is there something vinyl related given the link you sent which consists mainly of phono preamps.

I'd recommend a dantimax.dk RevVol1C. Add a remote (or use a philips compatible one you may already own) a 5VDC power supply (wall wart from radio shack), some rca jacks and mount it in a little project box from radio shack and you're golden. The kit doesn't come with resistors so make sure to order those too.

What's your source?

[Markgm]

Hi,
My source includes a Lite-On DVD player, with a couple of other inputs to it, and a TT, presently running through a preamp I plan on replacing, since I'll be selling a pair (Adcom pre & amp).

I'm planning on amps with twice the power I need, and which have their own gain controls, so I might be able to minimize the use of the attenuator.

And I was thinking that I didn't want to introduce a noisy thing in there, and so the idea was a separate knob glued to an existing preamp (like the TC-753LC from above).

Thanks for the pointer to Dantimax. They also have their own preamp kits, w/remote. Have you used one?

- Mark

[ultrachrome]

I have the RevVol1C. I haven't used their preamps. The RevVol1C was added to preamp that I already had.

Trading an adcom setup for this preamp and more powerful amps (pro-audio?) doesn't sound like it's going to net you much if any increase in sound. What's your goal and constraints?

[Markgm]

Hi,
Well, I have a little class D, which is an Arjen Helder modded Tripath, and that's the kind of sound I want - PWM. I ws looking at options, and found pro gear, such as QSC and Crest.

These amps will be in a nice price point, such as the Virtue one or classic, but also will give me the 150 wpc I ultimately need to fully drive my speakers.

They also have an option (at Virtue) with their 87 wpc amp with a remote and inputs, and I could get set up for around $730 and have the remote. But, I might start Jonesing about the 3 dB I don't have but could.

----
So the idea was, once I found a preamp that was inexpensive and I liked, then I could do this "add on" for the remote. Hee hee. Heck, I could even rig up this adcom, I suppose.

Other options exist. I have also come across the CIAudio VPC-3 which goes with remote for $300, and the creek OBO-22, which goes with remote for $500.

[Markgm]

I'm enjoying what I'm reading about this preamp. I just read a couple of nice reviews, but under the CIAudio VPC-1, and from 6 to 8 years ago.

That's got to be as good as the gain control section for a $1500 integrated amp, yah think? It's not active, but if I don't have a constraint by way of it, it sounds like a great deal.

And, the pre leaves me open on dedicated amps, and possibly swapping there.

Btw, the remote was one of the things I wanted to "upgrade" to.

Cheers -
Mark

[Markgm]

Originally Posted by ultrachrome

I have the RevVol1C. I haven't used their preamps. The RevVol1C was added to preamp that I already had.

Trading an adcom setup for this preamp and more powerful amps (pro-audio?) doesn't sound like it's going to net you much if any increase in sound. What's your goal and constraints?

Goal: If the attenuator is on par with that in the likes of (but I know its all different componentized this way) say - a decent $1200 integrated amplifier (or maybe $700, since I hear the Outlaw rr2150 is very good, and is $700), then I think it will be good enough for my (conceived) chain.

Perhaps the Dantimax remote gain control does it.

When you put it in your existing preamp, does it still get its own PS?

[ultrachrome]

Yes, it gets its own 5VDC supply.

Still not sure why you want to get rid of both of your adcom components for an pot in a box and a pro amp.

[Markgm]

Originally Posted by ultrachrome

Yes, it gets its own 5VDC supply.

That might have made it more interesting. After reading further from people who have used the Danimark, there are a number who really don't like the clicks and pops coming from the relays when changing volume.

Originally Posted by ultrachrome

Still not sure why you want to get rid of both of your adcom components for an pot in a box and a pro amp.

True, you don't seem to be making sense of this since it began. Maybe that's because for you, the Adcom sounds better? How much you gimme for it?

Have you ever heard that Tripath sound? Honestly, the adcom 545 amp is bloated in the bass, and not tonally balanced by way of it, but its a nice, musical piece of gear, and it has all the power I need. It's a downgrade from what I had in its place before it. I had a Denon PMA-2000 integrated amp that was a class better than this pair, and I had separates that cost a bit more, but didn't like the amp there.

But as I have said, I want more of that class D sound. You heard it before, didn't you? Do you think pro amps suck? Do you think an Adcom 545 sounds better? What is your experience with this? These pro amps would be new to me, but they are inexpensive, have plenty of power, sell used easily enough, and they're getting lots of good comments about having lots of clean power that I like to see, and they're PWM, which means they're faster than my ears, well, these pro mfrs are running units 500 KHz to 1 MHz PWM speeds.

So far, it is my experience that PWM is putting me on another level of reproduction, but I don't follow audio groupie Gods - I use my ears. This is the first time I have found compact disc so palpable that I didn' t have to turn around and wash my brain out with vinyl afterward. I'm really liking that.

The preamp upgrade part is to have a remote gain control. I could conceivably stick with the Adcom pre, but if selling the two together sells better, so be it. I'm also sick of dealing with dust buildup in the volume knob. (Maybe the adcom could get a danimark?)

Maybe you could fashion a comparative statement of the sound of a QSC RMX850, for example, with a Virtue audio amp, or with an Adcom amp, or any (class A/B) amp from years gone by?

Cheers -
Mark

Corrections to previous: CIAudio VPC-3s don't have remotes, that's the $900 PLC-1.

Been having fun looking at used preamps for low prices. That's another good angle.

I have a box idea (which breathes) for quieting pro amp fan noise. The last time I owned a "pro amp" was in the mid80s - twas a Carver PM-4.5, with 450 wpc, 1200 wpc peaks, and a fan.

Found another little passive preamp receiving lots of good comments...
AudioSource Pro One/A, around $140, no remote or phono stage, but many very good comments on sound.

I still think an add-on knob is a very cool idea. It suits audiophiles, because at any level, nothing is being introduced into the signal chain, or even into the case for that matter. What if a MFR pre-made their units for add-on remote motorized gain controls to fit over as desired later on? Switch the knobs or something? It's cheap, and I think it would pass the sound test for the most discriminating audiophiles, and at any price. (No doubt have to work out the asthetics).

[Markgm]

I have had some amazing times reading up more on this topic, and I wanted to add a few links here from what I've come across. There have been discussion here at diyaudio (big place!) about this, referenced by another fellow, Jos van Eijndhoven.

The Dantimax looks like an inexpensive relay-based attenuator, and from what I've read, with great sound when not changing volume, which can include significant relay noise.

The fellow above had such demand for his relay-based design, which uses a CPU for controlling a small number of relays and the timing of them, with nice quality parts (for sound), that people to make kits came about for it...
Tent Labs Volume Control

How about a remote volume control it looks like from scratch?
Remote Volume Control For Stereo Amplifiers (Silicon Chip)

Finally, that I think I might try the motor from a remote-controlled car motor, with a down-gearing capability in between, and a couple of wide rubber bands,and see if maybe I can get a quick, cheap remote working that way as well. The Mrs. is already getting a kick out of the idea.

But now that I have looked this far into these remote-capable relay-type attenuation boards, I might just have to take the plung with one of them. (With time, shall see).

Cheers -
Mark