IT'S HERE !!!!
First, given this remote was being constructed and programmed on the other side of the world I expected hiccups along the way. And it turns out, yes I've encountered some problems after trying the remote. The cheap IR blaster system I've been using seems too finicky for the Omniarc remote, and so won't reliably transmit the commands. Second, the volume commands aren't working at all for the Benchmark preamp. (Though other commands work).
However, this isn't a big surprise and it doesn't seem to be anything insurmountable. We are going to plan B as we'd already discussed, which is me sending my Benchmark remote to AdamsCustomAudio so they can get the OmniArc remote working for those commands. My current IR blaster was only a temporary solution I'd been using. I'm having a custom AV installer do a more reliable hard wired IR run from my listening room to my equipment rack (and RTI control system). I'm already wired with some Cat5 for that. Just a matter of getting it done.
But it should work because, at least with the CJ pre-amp, if I point the Omniarc directly at the preamp bypassing the IR blaster, all the commands work beautifully!
So...hopefully just a not too unexpected bump in the road to get over.
Meanwhile here are some photos:
The custom remote came in a nicely engraved wood box (I blurred my name):
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Here it is:
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It looks really beautiful in person, wonderful wood finish. This gives an idea of the size, though it looks a bit smaller in this photo for some reason compared to my hand:
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So, just playing around with the Omniarc remote: It has a rich finish, it has a great feel in the hand - some substantial weight, a smooth finish, and the ergonomics are pretty much perfect. That nice gradual slope from the volume knob means my wrist is supported comfortably when turning the knob. It is just really
carefully designed.
The knob has a nice feel. It's perfect size, big enough to feel substantial, but not over-sized. And it has nice action. I was surprised to find that there was a subtle stepped action to turning the knob, sort of just discernible little smooth "clunk" as it turns through volume steps. This actually works perfectly with the CJ pre-amp. Each tiny 'clunk' represents an increment of volume change on the preamp, and...mercifully!...the volume on the preamp tracks really well with the knob turning! If I spin the knob super fast, yes the pre-amp volume can get a bit "lost" in catching up. But at the speeds I'll actually be turning, it works great. And it's very reliable! Four clunks down or up reliably hit the very same volume setting on the preamp. This is really what I wanted, as it gives me more feedback/detail as to how high or low I'm setting the volume. We'll see how this works out with the Benchmark preamp.
Other things like the commands based on push-turning the knob, or double tapping to switch inputs, work great! And I love how the LED light flashes with each command. And each device has it's own color, so red flashes for the CJ, Blue for the Benchmark etc.
I have to do some testing to see if/how it operates the other gear, like my AVR. But, so long as we can get the Benchmark working with this, I'm quite excited because this is essentially exactly what I'm looking for.