As some forum readers might remember, I was for several years the happy owner of a Camelot Uther DAC.  Aside from the great sound, the Uther was a full featured control center which allowed remote control of the volume and channel balance in the analog domain.  Being able to "dial in" the volume from the listening chair is a very handy (and even addictive) feature .....

I am quite content with my current Decware ZCD player ..... but the one thing I really, really miss is the remote volume control.  Steve has made remote volume control an option for the ZCD, but I decided that I would prefer the remote volume control from the CSP2 preamp ..... which would also allow me to control the volume of a (soon to be purchased) FM tuner that will feed the second input of the CSP2.

As it would happen, I have an old Rotel Surround Sound Processor that was kindly given to me by the friend who built my SO Imperials.  This Rotel unit has a remote motorized volume control.



Parker Audio Dave came up with a scheme to use this Rotel unit in a way that would give me a high quality remote volume for the CSP2.
We wanted to have a high quality potentiometer and found a highly regarded TKD motorized potentiometer in the Michael Percy catalog.

Dave used the wireless circuitry in the Rotel to drive the TKD pot which was mounted on the CSP2 .....



We will "pretty it up" later ..... but the setup works wonderfully and I am now able to perfectly dial in the volume from my listening chair.  The TKD is one very fine potentiometer.

While we were at it, we also installed on the ZCD player a 100K Alps Black Beauty pot that I had in my parts stash.



After a discussion with Steve, it seemed like a very good idea to have a variable output on the ZCD ..... and there is no question that there is a "sweet spot" as to the input voltage that the CSP2 is receiving from the ZCD.  I'm still having a hard time believing what a positive improvement this has made.

Bottom line ..... I am one very happy camper as I sit in my listening chair and tap the volume control until the lead vocalist assumes a 3-D perspective in the middle of my listening room .....

Three cheers for Caintuck Engineering .....

Randy

Howdy Steve,

Yeah ..... while I was going through my medical treatments and taking the time off from work, I got busy and did some long overdue cleaning up of my listening room (where my computer desk also resides).

I must say that your decision to put a variable output on all current production ZCDs is a minor stroke of genius.  It allows a "friendly interface" for the wide variety of pre-amps and power amps that the player might be used with.  It makes a HUGE difference with the CSP2 for sure.

Thanks again for the suggestion .....

Randy

Hi Lon,

Indeed ..... it sounds like you and I and Steve are all hearing the same thing.

The ZCD has a totally different sound with the reduced output ..... and it allows me to get into the "meaty" range of the TKD motorized potentiometer.  Everything sounds more "relaxed" while still keeping the excellent tonality, dynamics and detail .....

Good stuff .....

Randy  

Howdy DPC,

Steve does offer the remote volume option in the ZCD and said that the ZCD is the only chassis that will accommodate the motorized remote potentiometer ..... it will not fit in the CSP2 chassis.  The photo of my CSP2 bears this out .....

He did say, however, that it could be placed in a separate chassis.  I would have probably gone for this, but hated the thought of yet another set of cables and connectors in the loop .....

A quote from Steve says :

"We can also as it turns out install a variable output via remote control using a motorized ALPS 100K stereo pot. The knob is located on the rear of the unit above the stock output jacks. No other place to put it - but it’s remote control eye is located on the face of the CD player so it really doesn’t matter. The remote for the volume control also features a soft mute button. Keep in mind that you would have two remotes, the standard one for the CD player and a separate one for the volume control. (Note: you could program a single universal remote with both controls if having two remotes is a problem.) This option adds $320.00 and an additional pair of variable output jacks in addition to the fixed outputs."

I'm not sure what the price difference would be for the remote volume control in a separate chassis ..... but I'm sure that Steve would provide a quote if requested .....

Randy      

Nah, Lon is not a remote control audio guy.  He'll keep getting up and down to adjust volume. It's a key part of his exercise program! (Well, that and walking four to five miles a day!)

Yeah, the NAD is sleeping until I send the the ZCD back for mods.  

My biggest "toy" lately is the beautiful Anadina.  ;)  She's no toy, but she's incredibly fun to play with!