[James Tanner]

James,

how much are the new phono preamps?

al.

Still working on that.

james

[Grit]

Hi

Yes a remote volume.

Yes discrete circuits.

james

YES for remote control on a BHA-2!

[R. Daneel]

Hi James!

I think having a remotely controllable volume on a headphone amplifier is silly.

In the case of BHA-1, you have an interesting system with a rather steep raise in volume from MIN to 9o'clock and then again from 15 o'clock to MAX. You also have a rather gentle raise in volume from 9 o'clock to 15 o'clock. So, how would you implement this remote operation?

If it was motor-driven volume pot, the motor would surely be controlled by a servo with constant spped meaning a slight press of a button on the handhel device would result in either a sudden and rapid change of volume or a very moderate one, depending on the current position of the potentiometer. In other words, the operation would not be consistent and would therefore be unoredictable.

I just think it's a waste of time.

Out of hundreds of headphone amplifier reviews I have read so far, I did not read a single critique with respect to an amplifier not having a remote  control.

If you're planning on designing a BHA-2, then make it fully balanced, DC-coupled amplifier with a single toroid per channel and a pre/headphone switch which would mute the headphone output while using the preamplifier outputs and vice versa.

Cheers!
Antun

[Grit]

I'd like to be able to sit in my chair and adjust the volume without getting up. Why's that silly?

[BrysTony]

I'd like to be able to sit in my chair and adjust the volume without getting up. Why's that silly?

+1

[Marius]

I'd like to be able to sit in my chair and adjust the volume without getting up. Why's that silly?

hi Grit, Tony,

I think Anton is saying that if the current volume adjustment would only be remotely controlled, it wouldn't have a lot of effect, given the current properties he describes. I +1 to that, but also to the wish of a remote... I d hope for a more sensitive remotely BR-2 controlled volume control, with a more direct and subtle response.

Also: a balanced pass through..... now that would be the real seller.

A mute would be great, but only optional. I have used the fact that it isn't right now, on many occasions, and do like the signals on both my headphone and speakers. Not having to turn down the BP26 when using a headphone would be a nice extra, but, only optional please.. ( it is a small effort clicking the mute button on the Br2 right now;-) )

no matter what, it is the best sounding piece of equipment I've encountered as of yet.   still looking for a closed back addition to my HD800....


Cheers,
Marius

[R. Daneel]

hi Grit, Tony,

I think Anton is saying that if the current volume adjustment would only be remotely controlled, it wouldn't have a lot of effect, given the current properties he describes. I +1 to that, but also to the wish of a remote... I d hope for a more sensitive remotely BR-2 controlled volume control, with a more direct and subtle response.

Also: a balanced pass through..... now that would be the real seller.

A mute would be great, but only optional. I have used the fact that it isn't right now, on many occasions, and do like the signals on both my headphone and speakers. Not having to turn down the BP26 when using a headphone would be a nice extra, but, only optional please.. ( it is a small effort clicking the mute button on the Br2 right now;-) )

no matter what, it is the best sounding piece of equipment I've encountered as of yet.   still looking for a closed back addition to my HD800....


Cheers,
Marius

Hi Marius!

Indeed, that is what I was saying. Bryston would have to redesign the volume pot completely in order for a remote to make sense. I don't think I'd use it myself but adding a remote control to the existing BHA-1 wouldn't be a good idea.

As for a closed-back version of the HD800, you won't find it. There is no way to counteract the physics as the transducer radiates as much energy from the back as it does from the front, just at an opposite phase. The air around the head is also involved and you cannot recreate open space within a confines of a closed "cup" as you normally have with closed-back headphones. I'm interested in a pair of Fostex TH600 or TH900 but cannot find them for a demo. Still, I don't think their 25 Ohm impedance is a perfect match for the BHA-1.

Cheers!
Antun

[Grit]

Sorry. I was expecting all the changes/additions that were discussed would be a BHA-2 (balanced pass-through, re-worked volume control including remote control, etc).

[BrysTony]

Enough with the BHA-1 on this thread.  Let's move it back to the new Phono boxes.

Tony