Do You Miss Knobs and Dials and Switches?

[Snoopy]

By contrast, that's just the sort if 1960s looks that I don't like! All those, mostly never used, knobs, dials and switches - no thanks.

However I won't buy gear that doesn't have essential controls, such as On/Off, a proper volume control knob, front panel control of inputs, etc.

My NAD M33 is minimal but it does offer these basic and essential controls.

I really like the basic tone controls that my AS2200 offers.. Bass and treble independent from the source available on the front of the amp is really nice. Just add a bit of flavor that way .. and do the really detailed adjustments in software (like headphone PEQ in roon or convolution filters like dirac).

And I really like very old equipment and also very new approaches that are all digital , but digital VU meters and touch screen Tone Controls are not really the same thing.

I also dislike that acuphase is using OLED VU meters on their newer amp.

Also everything digital with software , displays and only touch screens is always at a certain risk to be obsolete after a few years (look at NAD with their v1 - v3 amps where you can’t replacement parts for a 2016 device, while you can get a amp from 1970 fixed if necessary)

 

[mhardy6647]

Speaking of SAE, there was also the 2100 preamp ...

A design aesthetic that's pretty much guaranteed to discourage all but the most impulsive button pokers/knob twiddlers.

 

[JeffS7444]

My NAD M33 is minimal but it does offer these basic and essential controls.

Looks great, but does it belong in this thread, given it's controls are mostly virtual?

 

[Waxx]

By contrast, that's just the sort if 1960s looks that I don't like! All those, mostly never used, knobs, dials and switches - no thanks.

However I won't buy gear that doesn't have essential controls, such as On/Off, a proper volume control knob, front panel control of inputs, etc.

My NAD M33 is minimal but it does offer these basic and essential controls.

You can still have those controls like that look but more modern. I don't know hifi equipment like that, but this Elysia Alpha mastering compressor is very modern in design and still full analog in controls and operation. It costs a fortune, but still much less than much audiophile hifi stuff. It's also only one example on how you can look contempory but still got the feel of the older in operation, the feel that most want.

 

[PristineSound]

You can still have those controls like that look but more modern. I don't know hifi equipment like that, but this Elysia Alpha mastering compressor is very modern in design and still full analog in controls and operation. It costs a fortune, but still much less than much audiophile hifi stuff. It's also only one example on how you can look contempory but still got the feel of the older in operation, the feel that most want.

View attachment 451659

Whao. . .that is maybe 3 to 4 levels more knobs than what I can envision.

 

[wadude]

Also everything digital with software , displays and only touch screens is always at a certain risk to be obsolete after a few years (look at NAD with their v1 - v3 amps where you can’t replacement parts for a 2016 device, while you can get a amp from 1970 fixed if necessary)

Those are the concepts I dealt with when considering the move from vintage to modern and the reason I still prefer separate components. A WiiM Pro Plus costs less than new tubes for a pair of Dynaco power amps, plus the lack of 7199s was really putting me in a minor key. The WiiM’s preamp features far exceed anything a Dynaco PAS 2 is capable of and wipes the floor with it in terms of sound. Those features also make it a huge step up from the AirPort Express. Don’t misunderstand, collecting and listening through vintage gear is a beautiful endeavor. The experience brings a richness to modern audio that will be missing for those who may never have that opportunity.

 

[Settembrini]

"…. Does anybody miss the look and tactile experience of using volume knobs/dials/switches, etc.?"

I certainly do, specially since my wiim pro plus started doing strange things with Airplay and went full blast a couple times. Until then I had been using it as a preamp but this made me realize that an analog preamp was useful (I got an Audiophonics preamp which I really like) and I just like having a volume knob there - I also like reading books on paper (maybe this association is arbitrary but somehow it makes sense to me)

 

[JeffS7444]

I found myself looking a bit too longingly at the product page for Audio Technica's AT-LPA2 turntable.

Even as I'm fully aware that keeping it spotlessly clean is all but impossible.

 

[EJ3]

Speaking of SAE, there was also the 2100 preamp ...

They had the first parametric EQ that I had ever seen!

 

[wadude]

"…. Does anybody miss the look and tactile experience of using volume knobs/dials/switches, etc.?"

I certainly do, specially since my wiim pro plus started doing strange things with Airplay and went full blast a couple times. Until then I had been using it as a preamp but this made me realize that an analog preamp was useful (I got an Audiophonics preamp which I really like) and I just like having a volume knob there - I also like reading books on paper (maybe this association is arbitrary but somehow it makes sense to me)

My setup includes a level control between the WiiM and power amp. I haven’t had success with touch volume controls. Others may scoff at the expense, but I splurged on a Goldpoint step-attenuator which has a beautiful tactile feel. It’s my concession to oligarchical audio!

 

[Snoopy]

 

[mhardy6647]

^^^ just needs some vacuum tube glow.

 

[PristineSound]

View attachment 452566

Sorry, there is no Fosi, no Topping, no SMSL, no Wiim that can step to this.

Not even close.

#NoLittleKidsToys

 

[JeffS7444]

Taking a bit of inspiration from @Snoopy 's photo.

 

[PristineSound]

Taking a bit of inspiration from @Snoopy 's photo.
View attachment 452589

At least there is two switches a nob

 

[MattHooper]

My big ol’ Transrotor turntable motor knob, reflecting the carpet. Very satisfying to operate:

 

[dlaloum]

My big ol’ Transrotor turntable motor knob, reflecting the carpet. Very satisfying to operate:

View attachment 452604

You call that a knob .... THIS is a KNOB...

 

[mhardy6647]

from h/k's itty-bitty buttons phase...

hk690i

four entry level receivers, covering ca. 3 model years (second half of the '70s). The little Technics SA-80 on the top of the pile was/is pretty cheesy.


I think this is from the same generation as the SA-80, but several steps up the ladder, with two-channel, three-color LED "power" level display.

 

[JeffS7444]

Just prior to the pandemic, I made a special trip to check out Shinola's Runwell. Staff were okay with me giving the big power switch a twirl: It made a satisfying "chunk".

 

[MattHooper]

Just prior to the pandemic, I made a special trip to check out Shinola's Runwell. Staff were okay with me giving the big power switch a twirl: It made a satisfying "chunk".
View attachment 452605

What a beautiful turntable!

Great switch!