2. amps-preamps
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Anyone notice this with PrimaLuna EVO 400 remote??

Just wondered if any PrimaLuna EVO 400 preamp or integrated owners have noticed how imprecise the volume control is with the remote? The increase with the lightest touch of the button (if you hold it down, it will get away from you quick), is significantly louder (softer if you're lowering the volume) from the previous step thus making fine adjustment up or down impossible.  Is it just me or have others found that too? 

For some this may be no big deal because they may have dedicated listening rooms where they can set it and go, but unfortunately I get frequent interruptions in a non dedicated listening space and therefore quick and subtle volume adjustments are needed. But beyond that, I don't want to go from soft to LOUD with one push of a button. I want to hear those levels in between as well--without having to get up to walk up to the unit and change manually.  I know this will confound some here, but this lack of control is kind of deal breaker for me. YMMV.  
cabalaska

Showing 2 responses by cabalaska

cabalaska OP
20 posts
 
jjss49, I agree and to be honest it really did piss me off.  The overall build of the unit is simply top notch but then the remote and the volume control synergy--or lacke thereof-- do seem like an afterthought.  They boast about the japanese alps blue velvet volume potentiometer, and I'm sure it's a quality component, but it does not behave well with the supplied remote unfortunately. Anyway, it was too much of a frustration for me that I couldn't live with it. That and the fact that I leave my ss power amp on all the time and I hated having to turn off the amp in order to turn on the preamp.  I'm sure it's a great piece of gear, but it didn't work for me. 

millercarbon, I haven't called Dave at Raven because he only has integrated amps (that I can see on his site) and I need a preamp, plus I've decided against tubes for now. 

Think I'm going to get the Pass xp-22. 
cabalaska OP
20 posts
 
Thanks everyone for the replies and thoughts...

cat,
I was hardly using much of the dial at all, in fact, the only source I was using was my turntable with ortofon 2m black.  Phono preamp set at 45db of gain, and then dialed back to 42db of gain.  With that, it didn't take much of a clockwise turn at all to get loud. For example, the vol dial marker starts "off" at approximate "7 o'clock" and by "9" it was loud... and yes, the PL 400 preamp only has 10db of gain. 

tuberist,
I'm glad you are not experiencing this, but I did exactly as you said...just a very light tap to move the vol up/down.  However, it was not a smooth increase/decrease, it was a considerable jump/change in volume.  As I said, I could get it more precise by manually adjusting, but then that defeats the purpose of the remote--at least for me. And I totally agree... The build and beauty (to me) of this preamp is really excellent and I had wanted a PL for several years now. I really wanted to love this amp, and I tried.  The initial listening was impressive especially how it tightened up the bass, but in the end I couldn't get past the annoyance of the volume control for me.  So I'm not slamming PL at all, it just didn't work for me. 

Maybe it was just my modest system and the lack of synergy between components? My phono stage is the Gold Note PH-10 with external PSU-10 unit. TT is rega rp6 with upgraded delrin platter and groovemaster subplatter with the above mentioned ortofon.  Cables are balanced Morrow MA4. Power amp is a humble emotiva xpa-5 gen 2, also with balanced interconnects. 
 
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