Does any one know of an inexpensive stereo volume control (or better volume control with source selector) that would be remote-controlled (IR, not remote control cable!) and use balanced inputs and outputs? Preferably with some sort of display or indicator of volume set.
I am thinking of something similar to http://www.ebay.com/itm/HLLY-AMK-II-Pre-am...r-/400088510114 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/HLLY-AMK-II-Pre-amplifier-Digital-Volume-Controller-/400088510114), but balanced.
I spent some time googling, and I only found audiophile products costing thousands of dollars or DIY kits (or DIY projects). I don't want to spend a lot of money for tubes or other audiophile bs. I don't want a DIY solution not only because I don't want to spend time on soldering, but also I want the final product to look good, or at least OK, and I would not be able to make a nice-looking enclosure.
I looked at pro-audio sites, but haven't found any remote controlled devices.
Any pointers?
Sorry, but depending on your definition of "inexpensive", I suspect what you are asking for doesn't exist.
The problem, as I see it, is "IR remote" implies the consumer market, whereas "balanced ins and outs" implies either the pro/studio market (where IR remote isn't nearly as common) or the audiophile "high end" market, which will push silly things like tubes (and cost too much).
edit to add: Not exactly what you asked for, due to price, etc., but some food for thought:
http://www.eijndhoven.net/jos/relaixed/index.html (http://www.eijndhoven.net/jos/relaixed/index.html)
http://hometheaterreview.com/parasound-hal...ifier-reviewed/ (http://hometheaterreview.com/parasound-halo-p3-stereo-preamplifier-reviewed/)
http://shop.emotiva.com/products/xsp1 (http://shop.emotiva.com/products/xsp1)
The problem, as I see it, is "IR remote" implies the consumer market, whereas "balanced ins and outs" implies either the pro/studio market (where IR remote isn't nearly as common) or the audiophile "high end" market, which will push silly things like tubes (and cost too much).
Yeah, that's what I basically figured out. I am still hoping that someone knows an exception...
"Inexpensive" - I was hoping for the price range of that preamp that I linked, maybe somewhat more expensive because of balanced. So up to $250-ish? (still seems exaggerated given that I paid $150 for my external sound card with mic preamps, volume knobs, S/PDIF, etc...). This is not a rigid price range, I am OK with paying more if something is worth it. After all, once I went to buy monitors with a planned budget and came home with a nice pair after spending 200% of that budget. The thing is, I saw (or rather heard [please don't TOS me]) the benefit of going above the budget with the monitors, it's hard to justify spending $800 or $8,000 on a bunch of switches, one or two $20 digital potentiometers, and an enclosure.
Anyway, I may end up buying tc electronic level pilot or something similar and running long cables. After all this is what balanced is for, isn't it?
edit to add: Not exactly what you asked for, due to price, etc., but some food for thought:
http://www.eijndhoven.net/jos/relaixed/index.html (http://www.eijndhoven.net/jos/relaixed/index.html)
http://hometheaterreview.com/parasound-hal...ifier-reviewed/ (http://hometheaterreview.com/parasound-halo-p3-stereo-preamplifier-reviewed/)
http://shop.emotiva.com/products/xsp1 (http://shop.emotiva.com/products/xsp1)
I have seen two of these already, but thanks a lot!