Anyone know of a volume control that can be controlled by RS232?

Wishes are...

1. 2-channel/stereo.
2. Only need one "zone".
3. Full control (volume/mute) via RS232.
4. Built-in 2-channel amp would be nice. Only need 10 watts or so.
5. It would be nice if communication were 2-way, e.g., the ability to query the current volume setting, but not necessary.
6. No need to control channels separately, but would be nice.
7. Prefer a device that is in a simple box that can be stuck in a closet.

Thanks,
Ira

So you want just an amp then...?

No, I want a 2-channel (stereo) volume control that can be controlled via RS232 (i.e., I can send signals to it from a PC via an RS232 connection to turn the volume up/down or mute it). If it is a combination volume control and small amp, that is okay, too.

Ira

google is your friend...: "rs232 volume control"

http://www.hacs.com/essall.php

took two minutes to find a relevant thread at a different forum and follow the link within.

Hope that's what your looking for. If not, try google.... I got a load of good hits.

google is your friend...: "rs232 volume control"

http://www.hacs.com/essall.php

took two minutes to find a relevant thread at a different forum and follow the link within.

Hope that's what your looking for. If not, try google.... I got a load of good hits.

Thanks for the link. That control may work.

BTW...I did google it before posting... +"volume control" +rs232...returned 40K+ hits. I spent a couple of hours chasing links with no positive results. Don't know how I missed that one.

Ira

Update...

Although it would have been a great solution, the product provided by HACS, the company linked to by smokinghot, went out of business last February according to some info I found in another forum.

So...still looking for the illusive, not too expensive, two-channel volume control that can be controlled via RS232. And I followed literally hundreds of links to dead-ends.

Ira

bump

What is your budget?

What is your budget?

Well, I have used the $ 400.00 Parasound Zpre2 with some luck, but the unit does not offer discrete volume settings: only volume increase and volume decrease and muting. I have used the AMX AXB-VOL3 and NXC-VOL4 ($ 700 each), but they seem a bit expensive (price has not gone down for these ancient devices EVER). My favorite is the Extron MAV+ series matrix switcher, but they are too expensive for my current application.

I was hoping to spend $ 300 to $ 400 and be able to get a two channel amp with about 50 W/ch and some kind of RS232 or Ethernet (Telnet) interface that allows me to adjust the volume/muting. Any source switching would be a bonus. Rack or DIN Mountable would be nice, but not required. 70 V option would be nice, but not required.

Thx!

[edit]
Just found the Extron MVC 121 (http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=mvc121&subtype=111&s=3) (MSRP $ 390) and the RAC 104 (http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=rac104&subtype=111&s=3) (MSRP $ 550). A nice 4x1 is the MLS 100 A (http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=mls100a&s=0#features) (MSRP $500). Still, they seem to fit the bill sans amplifier, but a tiny bit expensive.

I think all Sony es receivers have rs232 control...

One option is the Denon DRA-697CI. http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3363.asp#

You will find that most amps/receivers that support RS232 will be quite a bit more expensive than a simple amp.

Sherbourn makes an external amp with a VC that is controlled with 232.

http://www.sherbourn.com/custom-products/amplifiers/3-sherbourn-iwa-1

Call Sherbourn to find a local supplier.