[MaxCast]

There are more preamps that have remote volume control than remote volume and source selection control.  Why is this?  Why is it hard to implement a good source selection via remote?  Is it the physical force needed to change the selector knob?

The better remote volume controls add a motor and a drive belt to change the volume.  Can't the same be done for source selection?

I know the less stuff in the signal path is best but I don't see how a motor/etc. only on when the remote is pressed can degrade the signal much if at all.

[randytsuch]

Maxcast,
The difference is a source selector would need a stepper motor, which steps in defined increments.  A pot just needs a normal motor, and you can get pots with built in motors, which makes it easy to add remote volume control.

For the problems with implementing a stepper motor, look at how much work John had to go through to add a remote volume control to his kit.  He had to use a stepper motor for that application too.

So, it can be done, but could add more cost than people would think it's worth.

Randy

[bhiggins]

MaxCast,

A rotary input selector is simple to implement and low-cost from a manufacturing point of view (very few parts, single hole through the face plate, etc.).  Adding a remote control circuit is complicated and expensive (as noted previously).

An alternative is to use momentary push buttons to activate relays (mechanical or solid state).  In this case, the remote circuit is virtually free (assuming it is already in place for volume control), but everything else costs more (lots of holes, buttons, relays, LEDs, etc).  In addition, with a metal face plate, it can be difficult to get a good look/feel with momentary push buttons.

The key is to manufacture high volumes and mold everything out of plastic.  Then, the push button solution is cheap.  

[MaxCast]

Thanks guys.  Thant's two ways.  The punch button seems the cheepest.  However, these $99 HT receivers must have found a way to do it pretty cheep too.  

How does a remote controlled selector switch degrade sound quality?

[_scotty_]

Thanks guys.  Thant's two ways.  The punch button seems the cheepest.  However, these $99 HT receivers must have found a way to do it pretty cheep too.  

How does a remote controlled selector switch degrade sound quality?

It doesn't matter if the switch is remotely activated or not from a purist standpoint any extra wiring or switch contacts will degrade the signal.The trick from a designers point of view is to somehow make a product convenient to use and do as little damage as possible. The Panasonic
receiver I am currently playing with manages this feat amazingly well.
I don't know if it uses relays or not for this function. The volume control
is positively ingenius in the way it works.They vary the voltage to the
output stage and control the gain of the amplifier directly. No resistor
arrays in the signal path at all. An analogue source can hit the amplifier stage directly with no parts or added gain stages between it and the amplifier. In other words the amplifier has enough inherent gain to deal directly with the incoming signal and make it large enough to drive a loudspeaker. "This is a Good Thing". With no apologies to Martha.

[MaxCast]

That is interesting, scotty.  How does that Pany's preamp section handle analogue?

I always thought it'd be nice to have a preamp that was more of a computer...balance volume, source, crossovers, channel level, crossover slopes, etc, etrc all controlled in the digital domain.