Hello all. I'm not a builder so apologies for only asking for help.
I want to replace the volume control on my lab12 Pre1. I'm doing this because
a) I can't find a preamp I like better (I've tried a variety of integrated in the $20k range and I always come back to my lab12) and so I want to hot rod this one as far as I can and;
b) I need balance control due to hearing issues, the volume control doesn't seem to land in my favorite listening volume when using the remote.
So I'm looking for top tier sound quality, balanced, with remote, and ideally an digital screen so I can see the volume, but that's least important.
I would say cost is no object but understandably I would rather keep it under $1000.
I do not know how to tell if one is technically compatible.
I won't be doing the work of installing myself.
I don't mind hacking up the case or building a separate one. That side of things I'm good at.
Thanks so much to anyone who can provide suggestions.
I want to replace the volume control on my lab12 Pre1. I'm doing this because
a) I can't find a preamp I like better (I've tried a variety of integrated in the $20k range and I always come back to my lab12) and so I want to hot rod this one as far as I can and;
b) I need balance control due to hearing issues, the volume control doesn't seem to land in my favorite listening volume when using the remote.
So I'm looking for top tier sound quality, balanced, with remote, and ideally an digital screen so I can see the volume, but that's least important.
I would say cost is no object but understandably I would rather keep it under $1000.
I do not know how to tell if one is technically compatible.
I won't be doing the work of installing myself.
I don't mind hacking up the case or building a separate one. That side of things I'm good at.
Thanks so much to anyone who can provide suggestions.
You need L-R balance controls. But what do you mean by this about the remote? You don't have fine control over the volume level?
Is this your preamp?
https://www.lab12.gr/product/pre1/
Sounds like you'll have to use an external box for all that stuff.
If the Pre1 had a tape loop, this would be much simpler.
Do you have a schematic?
Perhaps you can connect all inputs directly to an external box with a new volume/balance/input selector,
and then connect the box output to one of the line inputs on your Pre1.
Then you may be able to just turn the Pre1 volume to maximum and leave it there.
I wouldn't hack up a nice preamp like that, especially if you really like it.
And there's not that much room inside anyway.
If your sources are all non-tube, use a 10k volume control.
If the Pre1 had a tape loop, this would be much simpler.
Do you have a schematic?
Perhaps you can connect all inputs directly to an external box with a new volume/balance/input selector,
and then connect the box output to one of the line inputs on your Pre1.
Then you may be able to just turn the Pre1 volume to maximum and leave it there.
I wouldn't hack up a nice preamp like that, especially if you really like it.
And there's not that much room inside anyway.
If your sources are all non-tube, use a 10k volume control.
Attachments
Sorry yeah that was poorly written, but yes, the steps, using the remote, are huge and never really in my critical listening zone.
Ok yes I was thinking I may have to do it in an external box although ideally it would be inside. I definitely don't mind hacking it up, as I intend to create a new faceplate for it as part of my "this is mine forever" decision. And to me, to be honest, it's very inexpensive compared to the contenders. I've had Dartzeel, top of the line vtl, mastersound, Levinson etc...through trying to beat it so...it's almost like found money.
I guess I had thought that to do an external volume control would be as simple as essentially wiring it in just as the current one is, even if extending to an external box. Obviously I need to find more threads on adding a new volume control as external.
I guess I had thought that to do an external volume control would be as simple as essentially wiring it in just as the current one is, even if extending to an external box. Obviously I need to find more threads on adding a new volume control as external.
Khozmo offers remote infrared passive dual mono volume control with up to 64 steps of attenuation.
https://khozmo.com/product/dualmono-without-input-selector-rca-xlr/
https://khozmo.com/product/dualmono-without-input-selector-rca-xlr/
Your preamp has 21dB of gain, which is probably too much? You could use resistors to drop the signal level by a suitable amount? And if you needed a fixed amount of balance shift, you could also switch in resistors for that...