Placette Audio Remote Volume Control
Adding Volume control to an older preamp
I need suggestions from the group please-
My current system consists of Harbeth SHL5 speakers, Pass Lab 150.8 amp, Audible Illusions Modulus 3 preamp, Denafrips Pontius II DAC, Wiim Pro streamer and Nordost/Monster cables. I listen to a mix of music but mostly jazz and classical I reallyI enjoy my current system.
I would like some advice from members of the forum as to how to control the volume from my listening chair as the Audible Illusions preamp does not have a remote volume control.
As a quick fix, I recently purchased a remote for the Wiim Pro to control the volume at the streamer but have read that controlling the volume at that point in the chain is not the best.
I have come up with two possible solutions and would like your feedback is to which is the best or is there a better third choice? Also, WAF is not a problem as my listening room is in the basement .
1) I can purchase a Schiit Saga with a remote and use the passive mode. But, will there be any impedance issues placing the Saga between the preamp and the amp?
2) I can move the preamp next to my listening chair and control the volume manually but will need to purchase longer cables. I would need either 14 foot interconnects between the preamp and amp or 14 for speaker cables. From what I have read, shorter interconnects and longer speaker cables is the way to go.
Both solutions will cost about the same. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
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- 17 posts total
I’ve been using longer (~16 feet) XLR ICs from preamp to power amp in my 2nd system, with no discernible penalty. It’s perfectly fine to go that way. The passive route would probably work OK too, but I haven’t tried that yet. I was once looking at Kozhmo (Poland) passives - it’s a nice combination of high quality resistor-based attenuation, fine steps, remote control, and reasonable price. You can also spec dual-mono attenuators for L/R balance control (which was my interest). Not as cheap as the Saga, but still not bad as far as this hobby goes, and given the quality of resistors it should be "effectively transparent" to sound quality. The problem with passives of course is choosing an impedance that can perfectly straddle between the upstream and downstream without upsetting either. Usually the correct choice for this is around 5K to 10K ohms, but there’s a lot less margin for error than with active preamps. The Saga at least gives you the option for active if you get into trouble (active output is spec’d at 75 ohms; passive mode is "max 4.7K"). With 4.7K ohms you ideally want a source output impedance below 470 ohms and amp impedance greater than 47K ohms. And wow, they really pack a lot in that Saga for $279! Have to respect that. |
I highly recommend the Chase RLC-1 Remote Line Controller, there are several used or new ones listed now https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=chase+rlc-1 You can use it a variety of ways, direct; via a tape loop; via a processor loop; just for your pream, or it has 4 selectable line in if you want to bypass your preamp for any line level source. for remote power; remote volume, and wonderfully for remote balance, it has remote treble and bass which I never use, and, it includes automatic and progressive bass boost only for very low volume listening. Over many years, in a variety of setups, neither I nor my friends can detect if it is in line or not, it silently does it’s job. 105 db s/n ratio. I retain all the features of my Vintage McIntosh mx110z tube tuner/preamp in my main system, and get remote volume of a Vintage Receiver in my garage/shop system. in my office, I use it only for remote system power. Note: it must have the remote control, there are no controls on the unit itself.
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Thank you for the reply’s! Ianx0003-Where did you find the 10k ohm input spec for the Saga2? I cannot find any input impedance data for the Saga2. kennyc- Thanks for the suggestion. There was a recent thread on this topic where the Placette was also recommended. From my searching it appears that the company is out of business and could not locate and used units. mulveling- Thanks for your input. I am curious if the longer interconnects or the longer speaker wires is a difference I can hear. Love this crazy hobby. paradisecom- Do you believe the Saga2 function with is transparent in you system? elliotbnewcombjr- Thanks for the recommendation. I will research the unit to see what the specs are. I am concerned about input/output impedance matching issues |
- 17 posts total