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Manual preamp volume control - Audible Illusions M3B

Is it true that most preamps with remote control have a lot to do with their sound quality?
Do vintage preamps with manual precision volume control have the inherent advantage over modern preamps with remote control?
After a few months of mulling over preamp upgrade, I took a plunge on Audible Illusions M3B preamp after reading some posts on the advantage of manual volume control over remote.
Some, including Michael Fremer, considered AI M3A was one of the best preamp.
" All of this adds up to what is clearly one of the finest-sounding, best-built full-function preamplifiers in the world—and the reviews from around the world reflect that."
https://www.stereophile.com/tubepreamps/316/index.html

M3B is considered much better than M3A. AI still produces M3B (preamp with MM phono) and M3B MC (phono for low output) with no remote control.
If the answer to my two questions are true, when most super charged audiophiles search for holy grails, why they choose preamps with remote control over those with manual control, and prefer convenience over sound quality?


ihcho

Showing 6 responses by ihcho

ihcho's avatar
ihcho OP
612 posts
 
According to specs, PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium has the ALPS Blue Velvet motorized volume control and Plinius M16P has ALPS motorized unit.
Are they the same kind as Precision Stepped Attenuators used in M3B?

ihcho's avatar
ihcho OP
612 posts
 
Well, then the answers to my questions are No and No?
ihcho's avatar
ihcho OP
612 posts
 
Well, I have at least another 10 years or so to reach to a point that I would not want to get up and change the volume or source. So, I can keep this for next 10 years. Anyway, I can use my second system with remote control.
I’ve read about horrible delays of services from AI, but interestingly Art was very responsive to my simple question through email. Hope he remains that way for another 10 years.
So, by the way, was M3B a noticeable improvement over 3A? I haven’t read anybody saying no.
How does M3B compare with Mac pre?
For my systems - Plinius SA102 (upgraded) and Gershman Grand Avant Garde - M3B outperforms my Plinius M16P and PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium. I still cant' believe a preamp makes this much difference in sound quality.
I don’t know how much it has to do with the volume control, but M3B is a clear winner. This motto applies to M3B IMHO: simple is better, and less is more.
ihcho's avatar
ihcho OP
612 posts
 
Right, they use  Dual-Mono Left & Right Stepped Attenuator Volume Controls.
So, motorized stepped attenuator with remote works pretty much the same as manual control and has no disadvantage on sound?
Is analog volume control the same as motorized stepped attenuator?
How do you know whether a preamp volume is controlled by a motorized stepped attenuator or digital chipset?
ihcho's avatar
ihcho OP
612 posts
 
Thx.
l will take no as Precision Stepped Attenuators used in M3B is a better technology in volume control to produce quality sound.
I still like to hear your opinion on Mac preamp. Does it sound as good as M3B in your system?
ihcho's avatar
ihcho OP
612 posts
 
Thanks for your response and it is good to hear that you like your Mac and you are happy with it.
It was recommended for me to change M3B tubes every two year or so, and that tells that  M3B pushes harder than most other tube preamps.
I wonder how many would purchase $5K preamp, knowing that they have to change the set of tubes ($300+) every two years. With light listening, it may be 3~4 years, but still I think it is more often than most other tube preamps.
For my system, I don't hear any tube hiss from M3B. I put the normal listening volume level at 12 ~ 1 o'clock. That is the same level with Plinius M16P. On PrimaLuna it has to be 2 ~ 3 o'clock. No wonder PrimalLuna preamp tubes last much longer than AI Modulus series preamp. Anyway, I prefer the sound from M3B much better than PrimaLuna.
If I own M3B long enough to realize that the tubes need to be changed every 2 years, then I might feel different, but as of now, I am happy with the sound of M3B, and I don't mind to change the volume manually.

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