C1000: Exclusive 14 Button Remote

[Golucid]

When I first purchased the C1000, I was expecting the famed HR1000 14 button remote. Gold coloured buttons with the McIntosh globe branding.


When I cracked open all the C1000 boxes, what I received was a stripped down edition of the HR1000. In fact, the remote on the outside doesn't even state HR1000 model and when I opened the battery plate, no evidence of a model number either. It looks like my MX60 remote. Boring. Sad. Lacking.


I was so ashamed of this fact, I couldn't post this truth during my C1000 unboxing thread. I avoided discussing the remote - period! Apparently, new C1000s no longer include the unique remote.


A couple of days ago, I politely contacted the retailer I purchased the C1000 and jokingly said, "I'm so sad...I bought the C1000 for the remote". Again, I was joking about it and asked, if they came across a unit with the famed remote, I would trade and purchase the HR1000.


Today, in my mail box, I received the Mighty HR1000. Yes, the famed HR1000 in pristine and scratch free condition.


I've posted photos so you can see the obvious differences. What you can't see is that the Original HR1000 is physically heavier, larger and the build quality is on par with the C1000. In fact, the original bag it comes in is softer and the strings are also soft and silky.


The stripped down model is smaller and the build quality is just ok. The bag it comes with, tough and the draw strings are rough - not silk like.


[See Photos]

 

[Toobs]

You gotta be kidding me. Obsessing over a remote control. Gimme a break.

 

[jdandy]

You gotta be kidding me. Obsessing over a remote control. Gimme a break.

Bob.......In all fairness to David, owning a C1000C/P/T preamplifier that cost $33K one has a certain level of expectation. In the case of this preamplifier the premium all metal remote with the gold end cap displaying the McIntosh logo cast into it has been an important extra perk that McIntosh owners enjoy owning. The preamp also comes with a more standard full function molded remote control but being able to display the show piece remote is part of the prestige of ownership. Having McIntosh silently change the premium remote that C1000 owners have come to love and expect as part of the package would have disappointed me, too. I believe that's what David is trying to convey here.

Obsessing is an extension of most audiophiles normal behavior and certainly doesn't seem all that unusual to me. Honestly, a tiny hairline scratch in a speaker's finish is enough to make us go ballistic or pass up a good deal because we don't want to have to live with the imperfection. A minuscule dent on the edge of a component's face plate is next to a cardinal sin for some. Yes, we obsess about our audio gear. Some are just more adamant than others.

This is the remote that came with my C1000C/P. I had another one just like it that came with my C1000C/T preamplifier. I can understand why David was disappointed to open his boxes and discover something less than he expected with his C1000C/P/T.

 

[Paul]

With Dan on this. David I would done the same thing.

 

[socfan12]

Ditto.

I was a big Rowland fan many years ago. Loved their build aesthetics and quality. Was quite disappointed to see a plastic remote in the box.

 

[dlb2]

A 33K pre should definitely come with a remote that's something more than plastic. You have quite a collection of Mc gear. If you bought all of it from the same dealer I would expect them to make sure you received the fancy remote.

 

[Steve]

+1 Dan. I would would really be upset if I opened a C1000 and got the remote with the lessor finish. That remote is iconic. It is a flagship status symbol. It has a look, feel and weight to it. It glides in your palm a certain way. Compromising it is an unnacceptable cost cutting measure that tanishes the brand.

It would be like buying a Harley Davidson Fat Boy without the badge on the petrol tank. Worse.

 

[o0OBillO0o]

Bob.......In all fairness to David, owning a C1000C/P/T preamplifier that cost $33K one has a certain levels of expectations. In the case of this preamplifier the premium all metal remote with the gold end cap displaying the McIntosh logo cast into it has been an important extra perk that McIntosh owners enjoy owning. The preamp also comes with a more standard full function molded remote control but being able to display the show piece remote is part of the prestige of ownership. Having McIntosh silently change the premium remote that C1000 owners have come to love and expect as part of the package would have disappointed me, too. I believe that's what David is trying to convey here.

Obsessing is an extension of most audiophiles normal behavior and certainly doesn't seem all that unusual to me. Honestly, a tiny hairline scratch in a speaker's finish is enough to make us go ballistic or pass up a good deal because we don't want to have to live with the imperfection. A minuscule dent on the edge of a component's face plate is next to a cardinal sin for some. Yes, we obsess about our audio gear. Some are just more adamant than others.

This is the remote that came with my C1000C/P. I had another one just like it that came with my C1000C/T preamplifier. I can understand why David was disappointed to open his boxes and discover something less than he expected with his C1000C/P/T.

Dan... You could use it as a murder weapon in the Milton Bradley Game of "Clue"!

 

[jdandy]

+1 Dan. I would would really be upset if I opened a C1000 and got the remote with the lessor finish. That remote is iconic. It is a flagship status symbol. It has a look, feel and weight to it. It glides in your palm a certain way. Compromising it is an unnacceptable cost cutting measure that tanishes the brand.

It would be like buying a Harley Davidson Fat Boy without the badge on the petrol tank. Worse.

Steve.......You're right, it's worse. If I hade just ordered a new C1000C/P/T and opened the box to find this remote I would be pissed.

 

[jdandy]

Dan... You could use it as a murder weapon in the Milton Bradley Game of "Clue"!

Bill.......That HR1000 remote is heavy enough to be a self defense weapon for sure. I'd hate to get that thing up side of my head.

 

[Toobs]

Let me ask you Guys this question. Does it make the preamp sound any better?????????????

 

[Paul]

Let me ask you Guys this question. Does it make the preamp sound any better?????????????

Let's say you book a 5 star hotel for a premium charge and once you arrive you receive 3 stars hotel service... how would you feel ?

 

[jdandy]

Let me ask you Guys this question. Does it make the preamp sound any better?????????????

Bob.......You already know the answer to that question. That is not the design intent of the McIntosh HR1000 remote. What it does do is make an owner proud to own it, happy to display it, and comforted when using it. What's wrong with that? . :what:

 

[Golucid]

Thanks Dan for chiming in.

My expectations are reasonable. The McIntosh website, continues to this day, shows the now omitted HR1000 remote [in all its glory] and the owners manual also continues to convey the fantastic remote model as well. Less of a big deal but worth noting, the 2nd remote advertised and technically referenced in the owners manual is now absent as well. It is replaced with another model and not detailed in any way within the owners manual [paper/electronic]

Worth noting. I talked to Chuck Hinton at McIntosh today about some functionality with the C1000 with reference to the Processor Listening Loop. He got a bit huffy because I wasn't able to following his remote control instructions...initially, I suspect he was thinking...what an idiot. But during the conversation because I was not able to follow any of the instructions, I told him. Chuck, my remote is different than the one you are using to guide me.

He paused...a shuffle of papers and than says...what do you have? I didn't know the remotes had been changed. His attitude swiftly did a 180 and guided me manually using the preamp controller interface. He does not have info on the new remotes.

McIntosh should update their literature if they are going to make so many changes.

I digress. As I said, The C1000 now includes two different styled remotes that are a yawn at best.

I purchased the C1000 because this is a state of the art piece of equipment. Not just electronics but the pieces themselves are works of art. This is not your typical Samsung HiFi system. The C1000 boasts a price tag to reflect refinement, elegance and that it is above the rest of the competition. This is what I paid big bucks for. Not a panasonic Toys R' Us remote.

Think of this way, you buy a Ferrari and they put Yugo tires on the car. Sure, they are just tires, right? But...if you dropped say $300,000 bucks on the car, should the tires be decent? Or, would you be happy with tires fit for a Yugo, Corolla, Ford Escort?

 

[Golucid]

Yes. For me it does - very much so. Holding a work of art in my hand adds to the over-all experience. All the senses come alive. This is why I have invested over $300,000 in in both Audio and AV equipment in both my homes. The sensory experience.

 

[Golucid]

let's say you book a 5 star hotel for a premium charge and once you arrive you receive 3 stars hotel service... How would you feel ?

bingo!