Vintage IR Wireless Motor Volume Remote Control for Tube Amp, Preamp, Receiver

Vintage audio remote volume control. A motorized, IR-wireless add-on that turns the volume knob on any vintage amplifier, preamp, or receiver from across the room. No re-wiring, no soldering inside your gear. A small motorized unit clips a belt around your existing knob and rotates it on command from the included infrared remote. Works with the original analog volume pot, no signal-path changes, no modification to your vintage hi-fi equipment.


VERSION 5, FINAL EDITION (May 2026)

This is the final version of the Vintage Audio Remote. Over the past year I taught myself custom PCB design from the ground up, and V5 is built around a dedicated, hand-laid-out circuit board rather than a hand-wired Arduino like every version before it. The result is cleaner, smaller, more reliable, and faster to assemble. That assembly time savings goes directly into the price.

WHAT IS NEW IN V5

• Custom-designed PCB replaces the hand-wired Arduino Nano build of V4 no jumper wires.
• ATtiny84A microcontroller instead of a full Arduino Nano. Much smaller chip, dedicated to this job, lower power draw. Same firmware behavior you are used to.
• Reverse-polarity protection built in (Schottky diode), so a wrong-way power adapter cannot kill the board.
• Proper power filtering with bulk and bypass capacitors, smoother motor operation, quieter electrical noise and more torque.
• Smaller, cleaner internals. The whole electronics package fits on a single small PCB instead of a jumble of modules. Easier for me to repair, easier for you to crack open if you ever need to.
• Faster, more consistent assembly means I can build more units in less time and pass that savings on.

LOWER PRICE FOR V5: $120 (V4 was $150). Custom PCB cuts assembly time significantly, and I am passing the savings on to you.

WHAT IT DOES

You have a beautiful vintage Marantz, Pioneer, Yamaha, Sansui, Kenwood, McIntosh, NAD, Fisher, or other piece of analog hi-fi gear. It sounds incredible. But it was built before remotes existed, so every volume change means getting up. This unit fixes that without touching the original circuitry.

A rubber belt loops from a roller on the motor to your amp's existing volume knob. Press up on the remote, the motor turns the knob clockwise. Press down, counter-clockwise. Release, stops. Volume changes are smooth and analog, just like turning the knob by hand, because that is literally what is happening.

COMPATIBLE WITH MOST VINTAGE GEAR

Any amplifier, preamp, receiver, or tuner with a rotating volume knob 10 mm to 50 mm in diameter. Tested with:

• Marantz receivers (2230, 2270, 2275, 2285, etc.)
• Pioneer SX series receivers
• Yamaha CR / CA series
• Sansui receivers and integrated amps
• Kenwood receivers
• McIntosh tube and solid-state amps
• NAD amplifiers
• Fisher tube receivers
• Scott tube receivers
• Modern hi-fi gear that uses a rotary volume control (Schiit, Cambridge Audio, Rega, etc.)

If your knob rotates, this works.


WHAT IS IN THE BOX

• Pre-assembled V5 motor unit (custom PCB inside)
• IR remote, pre-programmed with codes (batteries included)
• Assortment of belts in different sizes for various knob diameters
• Multiple roller sizes to match different knob-to-motor distances
• Quick-start setup card
• Optional double-sided mounting tape for the motor case


SETUP IN 5 MINUTES

1. Place the motor unit on your audio rack near the amplifier (the case has a flat bottom and optional double-sided tape pad).
2. Pick the roller size and belt that fits between the motor shaft and your amp's volume knob.
3. Loop the belt around the volume knob and the roller. Friction does the rest, no clamps or adhesives needed.
4. Plug in the included USB power adapter (any 5V USB source works).
5. Press up or down on the remote, your amp's volume changes.

The potentiometer at the back of the unit adjusts how fast the motor turns. Tune it to match your listening style, slow and precise for jazz, or quicker sweeps for movies.

MOUNTING OPTIONS

The included double-sided adhesive tape lets you mount the unit directly to your receiver if you prefer a fixed install instead of free-standing on the rack. Stick it on top of the receiver for the most common placement, or on the side if the tuning knob, dial scale, or any other top-panel control is in the way of a clean belt path. Side mounting often works better on receivers with prominent tuning dials or wood cabinet wraps.

WHY THIS AND NOT A DIGITAL REMOTE-VOLUME RETROFIT?

Other "remote volume" solutions for vintage gear either:

• Replace the original volume pot with a digital potentiometer (changes the analog signal path, audible degradation)
• Insert an active buffer with relay-switched resistor ladders (more parts in the signal path, expensive, irreversible)
• Require you to send your unit to a shop for installation

This unit does none of that. It does not touch the audio signal at all. It just turns the existing knob. The audio path stays 100% original. You can remove the motor and belt in 10 seconds with zero trace left behind, your amp is exactly as the factory built it.


SPECIFICATIONS

• Motor: stepper motor with continuous rotation
• Control: included IR remote, line-of-sight to receiver on the front of the unit
• IR range: typically 10+ ft with line of sight
• Speed: variable via rear potentiometer
• Power: 5V via barrel jack (USB power adapter with barrel-jack cable included, or any 5V supply works)
• Microcontroller: ATtiny84A (custom V5 PCB)
• Case: 3D-printed PETG, about 63 x 50 x 101 mm (4''x 2.5 '' x 2''
• Belt selection: included assortment fits knob diameters from approximately 10 mm to 50 mm
• Made in: Santa Barbara, California, hand-assembled in small batches


FAQ

Will this damage my vintage amplifier?
No. The unit only turns the existing volume knob from the outside. It does not connect to your amplifier electrically. There is zero signal-path modification and zero risk to the original circuitry.

Does the motor make noise?
The stepper motor has a very faint click when rotating, audible only if you are right next to it during a volume change. Silent during music playback.

Can I use it with multiple amplifiers?
Yes. The unit is portable, you just move the motor case and re-loop the belt to a different knob.

Can I run multiple units at once (one per amp)?
Yes, and many customers do. The only thing to know: by default each unit ships with a remote programmed for the same IR codes, so a single button press would move every unit at once. If you want independent control, message me before ordering. I will program each unit with a different IR code set so each remote only controls its own device. No extra charge, just let me know how many units and I will pair them with distinct codes before shipping.

What if my volume knob is bigger or smaller than what the belts fit?
Each unit ships with an assortment of belts that fit most common knob diameters, plus rollers sized for 1mm, 2mm, and 3mm wide belts. If you need a custom diameter, you can buy a belt mix online from places like nesselectronics.com (https://www.nesselectronics.com/collections/belts) or Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/cassette-belts/s?k=cassette+belts, search "cassette tape belts," same form factor). Belts are cheap and come in dozens of sizes so you can dial in the exact fit.

Does it work with my universal remote?
The included IR remote is pre-programmed with the exact codes the device expects. If you want to use your existing universal remote, the volume up and volume down codes are standard, most universal remotes can learn them by holding them next to the included remote.

Is the device user-serviceable?
Yes. The case opens with a few screws, the PCB is a single board , the motor and IR receiver are plug-in modules. If anything fails, I will walk you through diagnostics and replacement parts, or you can send it back and I will repair it.

Why is V5 cheaper than V4?
Custom PCB instead of a hand-wired Arduino. Each unit takes a fraction of the time to build, and I am passing those savings on rather than pocketing them.