AUDIOPHILES: Are We Buying "THINGS" or "EXPERIENCES?"

[Blumlein 88]

Do I understand that you have been disappointed to still have to interact with remote controls even though you've gone digital, and would prefer not to bother with the pesky things?

(And if so, doesn't using a smartphone/ipad or whatever mostly get around that, if you are all digital?)

Just trying to understand exactly what bugs you.

For me pride of ownership...or really just the pleasure of using a system...definitely extends to a remote control. If I have to use one, it's the thing I'll be interacting with most, so any crappy ergonomics or an ugly device or bad "hand feel" detracts.

So for instance it's quite a disappointment to interact with what might be a beautifully designed amp or preamp or whatever, and then interact with some cruddy plastic remote with tiny buttons.

Also, since, like most of us, I'm on a computer much of the time and have screens tugging at my attention all day, including my iphone, I like taking a break from interacting yet again with a computer or phone to listen to music. And no remote I own, or iphone, gives me the tactile pleasure I'd prefer.

For all those reasons, I'm currently having a custom remote control built for my system, which will operate both my CJ tube preamp and Benchmark LA4 preamp. It will be a beautiful slab of ergonomically molded wood, with a physical volume knob that can not only do volume but, with different presses of the knob, send various commands (e.g. "mute/dim...or switch between the Benchmark and CJ premp, switch inputs in either, etc).

I'm frankly sick of most remote control options for music and I want that really basic, physical tactile feeling of using a volume knob...but from the comfort of my listening sofa. This hopefully will do the trick.

I find using a remote, even a very nice remote, diminishes pride of ownership. I think it is tactile and visual. If you walk over to adjust volume, switch sources or start a disc playing you get a feel for how well it is made, and have to look at it up close. For instance that CJ gear is very pretty to behold up close. So when I'm using a remote and the view of the device is from a distance and I'm only looking at the info on the screen or the illumination of the lights all of that reinforcement of good quality gear is diminished. So using a remote I'd just as soon all of the gear is hidden. I also think the readouts should be on the remote to facilitate that. Which of course is the case for items you can control from your phone or tablet. You'll still miss the tactile pleasure, but you do anyway with remotes.

Some old gear had options for wired remotes and a box by your listening chair or sofa. Those were better because there is still some tactile pleasure.

 

[MattHooper]

I find using a remote, even a very nice remote, diminishes pride of ownership. I think it is tactile and visual. If you walk over to adjust volume, switch sources or start a disc playing you get a feel for how well it is made, and have to look at it up close. For instance that CJ gear is very pretty to behold up close. So when I'm using a remote and the view of the device is from a distance and I'm only looking at the info on the screen or the illumination of the lights all of that reinforcement of good quality gear is diminished. So using a remote I'd just as soon all of the gear is hidden. I also think the readouts should be on the remote to facilitate that. Which of course is the case for items you can control from your phone or tablet. You'll still miss the tactile pleasure, but you do anyway with remotes.

Some old gear had options for wired remotes and a box by your listening chair or sofa. Those were better because there is still some tactile pleasure.

Ah, now I understand.

I had a Meitner DAC that had a wired remote which ended in a nice little wood slab with a volume dial, to operate from the listening position. That was nice (and partially an inspiration for my custom remote).