Help finding a simple but high quality buffer or preamp for remotely controlling volume

Thanks all so far.  I would still like to hear from folks who own or have heard the Benchmark or Hattor units.  The Hattor has exactly the form and function that I am looking for but I cannot find out too much about the sound.  The Benchmark has an incredible review from Stereophile but I am a little worried that I may think it sounds too thin.  They do offer a 30-day return policy but I would rather get it right the first time.

@georgehifi 
My SMc monos have only 10K ohm input impedance.  My current DAC does ok direct to the amps if within about 1M of the amps but my balanced Goldpoint attenuator passive does not work well as the soundstage narrows and things start to become thin sounding.

@mrdecibel 
Steve is really busy right now and last time I checked he was not adding a remote volume option to upgraded TLC-1s.  Mine is the black one on their website home page.  I like the display and remote used by the Hattor, as well as the smaller size of the uni, but cannot find much from users on now they sound.

@oldhvymec 
Thanks for the suggestion.  I have had a bent type autoformer preamp here (Acoustic Imagery JaySho) and did not like it as well as resistor type units but there appears to be more to the Nord unit so I will take a closer look.  Do you own one?  Any additional comments on how it sounds, what it does well and any weaknesses?

https://www.nordacoustics.co.uk/pretvc

Sure sounds good..Night want to check it out.

Regards

I had been using Scitt Freya +

He wants black.

The only passive pre I found that has remote and is black is this, but I’m still waiting to hear what his input impedances of his amp/s are.
Uses an quality Alps "Blue Velvet" for the motorized potentiometer. Can’t find the value, 10kohm would be my choice. As the worse case output is around 2.7k output impedance, and using the 1:10 ratio rule amps with 27k or higher input impedance will be an impedance match. And just about any source can drive 10k input of the Blue Velvet" pot.
https://iconaudio.com/pre-amplifiers
https://www.decibelhifi.com.au/icon-audio-passive-pre-amp-with-remote/

Cheers George

I had been using Scitt Freya + for my headphone chain to connect 20 ft balanced cable from Dave.

It sounds really musical with Nos tubes.

I am using Kenrad vt231 at gain stage and Sylvania vt231 at buffer stage.

Thomas

Should I assume you contacted SMC to see if he can remote control your TLC1 ? Will this unit you are looking for be used in line with the TLC1, or independently ? 

mitch

i still use my decades old carver lightstar direct ref linestage for that purpose... still a wonderful sounding, utterly transparent unit with tremendous control flexibility

there is one running around on the bay right now...

mitch2
Hello all. I am looking for a simple yet high quality buffer or preamp that I can use for remote volume control in the event I decide to purchase a DAC without an internal volume control.

Why buffered?? do you have power amp/s that have say <33kohm input impedance??

Cheers George

I vote for the LA4. No sound. That "should" be what you're looking for.
Or look at the LS26. Both Lite and AR.