Emotiva Control Freak passive volume control

jeffh · « **on:** 21 Mar 2014, 08:03 pm »

Emotiva Control Freak. It’s a passive volume control for $50 unbalanced or $60 for balanced .

What do you think? Seems like a cheap and cheerful solution. They had some of these at Emofest last year and they felt very well made.

http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/accessories/products/control-freak

Rclark · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 Mar 2014, 08:25 pm »

Probably a great value that performs way better than some people's expectation bias would have them believe. Just like all their excellent gear.

In my system I have a ton of Emotiva going on, I've bought a ton of their gear in the past, and have had no problem reselling any of it close to what I paid, and quickly.

Emo is a sure thing.

Brad · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 Mar 2014, 08:33 pm »

Haven't seen that before.

This will make a great stand-in while my preamp goes in for repair.
Thanks

persisting1 · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Mar 2014, 11:51 pm »

This looks like it can be fun

wushuliu · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Mar 2014, 12:10 am »

Huge respect for their branding and design. They certainly know their audience and how to fill a niche.

And given the cost of a 10k potentiometer, the huge profits will help pay for other products on the pipeline. Smart.

roscoeiii · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 Mar 2014, 12:19 am »

Using just one input and output, this could be a nice cheap way to implement balance control (I have a room that requires some sort of balance control to bring the images back to center).

Though Emotiva is far from a sure thing overall. They have had many successes, but some of their preamps have had some considerable issues. Google "Emotiva Problems."

But with their great return policy, it is nice to be able to hear for yourself at only the cost of shipping.

wushuliu · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Mar 2014, 12:29 am »

Quote from: roscoeiii on 23 Mar 2014, 12:19 am

Using just one input and output, this could be a nice cheap way to implement balance control (I have a room that requires some sort of balance control to bring the images back to center).

Though Emotiva is far from a sure thing overall. They have had many successes, but some of their preamps have had some considerable issues. Google "Emotiva Problems."

But with their great return policy, it is nice to be able to hear for yourself at only the cost of shipping.

Their preamps looks so sweet though. I know I'm going to one for a HT setup eventually.

srb · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Mar 2014, 12:33 am »

Looks somewhat similar to the TC Electronic Level Pilot, which has been around for years and that many have used to control their powered monitors.
http://www.tcelectronic.com/level-pilot/

Other than the Techflex on the Emotiva cables, they may be very similar and who knows, maybe from the same OEM?

I don't believe the Level Pilot came in an RCA version, either. So if your system is unbalanced RCA, Emotiva is the ticket. If your system is balanced XLR, then it could come down to your preference of knurled black vs satin silver aluminum knob.

Steve

roscoeiii · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Mar 2014, 01:02 am »

Quote from: wushuliu on 23 Mar 2014, 12:29 am

Their preamps looks so sweet though. I know I'm going to one for a HT setup eventually.

Think that their HT preamps are what have had the most problems. Haven't looked into that type of gear recently, but I'd make sure that the model you are interested in hasn't had any issues before you buy.

Doublej · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Mar 2014, 01:29 am »

Poor Man's Version?

http://www.amazon.com/Axxess-AALC-Controller-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B003FPD3IS/ref=pd_cp_MI_1/178-2776892-5516762

JCarney · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Mar 2014, 03:41 am »

I ordered one, and will report my findings upon it's arrival.

JCarney

Rclark · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 Mar 2014, 06:04 am »

You're right, their HT receiver from a few years ago had a lot of problems, but not sure about their latest home theater stuff. I can vouch for their stereo preamps, and dacs, cables, and power filter, and cd players.

Their speakers of late are highly regarded as well.

I do trust them enough to use them for HT when I get to that. I'm sure they've sorted that old stuff out. I've just loved everything I'vr bought from them.

ricardojoa · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 Mar 2014, 06:54 am »

Every once in awhile i would go to emotiva forum, and i think i have read enough of their issues which include standby mode mulfunction, power supply issues to their firmware. Granted these issues doesnt happend to all buyers but nevetheless it has.

But i think is hard to screw up on this volume control.

JohnR · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 Mar 2014, 09:22 am »

Hah, like the name

, they have a sense of humour at least

Quote from: wushuliu on 23 Mar 2014, 12:10 am

And given the cost of a 10k potentiometer, the huge profits will help pay for other products on the pipeline. Smart.

Looking at the balanced version, it includes the cables with two sets of XLR connectors, for a manufacturered product it seems like a bit of a steal, I'm not sure I could even make one for that much. Nothing is said about the pot inside (that I saw) but hopefully it's better than a carbon one.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 Mar 2014, 12:35 pm »

Quote from: Doublej on 23 Mar 2014, 01:29 am

Poor Man's Version?

http://www.amazon.com/Axxess-AALC-Controller-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B003FPD3IS/ref=pd_cp_MI_1/178-2776892-5516762

This link looks like the same thing for the same price, but without being from a discontinued supplier.
http://www.amazon.com/Metra-Amplifier-Controller-Volume-Control/dp/B004P5MWFC/ref=pd_sim_e_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1FXEBNHX3ZS8NV5C23VC

Looks like a much lower quality unit than either the TC or Emotiva, but saves the $43, with free Prime shipping maybe a little more.

JLM · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 Mar 2014, 12:40 pm »

Watch out for impedance related issues (typical for passive pre-amps and volume controls). I've used stepped attenuators in the past and plugged them directly into the power amp for best results. Hair shirt solution to be sure, but a purist (and inexpensive) approach. In my one source system used in the man cave I rarely change volume controls anyway. Here's a link to what I had:

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze4c5pt/id2.html

jk@home · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 Mar 2014, 01:35 pm »

Ditto. I ran a single source and CI passive preamp into a Aragon amp (with a 22k input impedance) for a few years. Upgrading to a diy unit which included a Goldpoint control in front of a Dodds buffer, the performance improvement was very noticeable. The buffer solved the impedance problem.

So one may not want to use one of these in front of an amp with too low an input impedance.

texasbbq · « **Reply #17 on:** 27 Mar 2014, 07:56 pm »

Got the unbalanced version a few day ago, really sweet device. Very fine resolution on volume adjustment. Great finish.

Using on my desktop system: Mac Mini - Schiit Modi - Control Freak - Denon PMA-525R - Misson MS-50 / M&K VX-7 MkII

When i got the Modi, I lost the system volume control on the Mac toolbar, and was having to use the level control in each app I was listening to. Very hard to mouse click for adjustment. Control Freak is the perfect solution for me.

JohnR · « **Reply #18 on:** 1 Apr 2014, 10:26 am »

Thanks texasbbq for the report

JCarney · « **Reply #19 on:** 1 Apr 2014, 02:21 pm »

I've had my Control Freak for about a week now, balanced version, and I'm impressed with it. Very neutral, smooth operation, all of a minute or so to hook up. For me two little complaints. First, in my system, the bass is a little less prominent, does not have the same impact, but it is still accurate and tuneful, just a bit less. Second, the unit will pick up and transmit some vibration, but a little isolation seems to fix that. Mids and highs are clean and clear with no discernible roll off up top that I can tell. Really nice product.

JCarney