New version of RC-20 available

[AnotherJohnson]

You’ve probably already seen the mailing.

Billet Aluminum. $350. Ask for it on their contact page.

[admin]

Got the email as well this morning. I was surprised that they didn't change the model number with the upgrade. Maybe should have been the RC-21?

It does look very nice but at $350 + S/H, certainly not cheap.

[Joe Appierto]

Neither was the original back in the day.

[AnotherJohnson]

The ARC billet based remotes are $400. So $350 does not seem out of line. The last time I priced the originals RC20, it was $300.

I liked the hand feel of the original RC20, but I’m sure the new one is quite nice too.

[admin]

Agree, it does look very nice.

Here is a picture for those interested as I don't see it directly listed on their website:

[Jazzy5]

Is it the same remote included with gats2 and Art88 preamp?,if not what has changed?.

[admin]

The button layout is identical which makes me think the PCB inside is perhaps the same. The edge of my previous generation rc-20 seems to be more beveled vs the new one which looks like a sharper edge. The font is thicker on the previous generation for the "conrad johnson" text.

[Cjaylundgren]

I wish CJ would update the design of this remote to incorporate rechargeable batteries and rechargeable via a USB C connector. My recently acquired MSB Technology Discrete DAC remote is designed this way and it’s very nice. No need to worry about replacing batteries or risk batteries leaking if one forgets to change them on a regular basis.

[admin]

I wish CJ would update the design of this remote to incorporate rechargeable batteries and rechargeable via a USB C connector. My recently acquired MSB Technology Discrete DAC remote is designed this way and it’s very nice. No need to worry about replacing batteries or risk batteries leaking if one forgets to change them on a regular basis.

I'm not sure how I feel about rechargeable batteries as these are usually soldered directly into components these days. Not only do batteries have a certain charge/discharge life cycles, they can go bad, breakdown, and leak over time. It doesn't matter too much with something like a phone that you replace every 3 years, but we sometimes use audio gear for decades. No way a rechargeable battery from the 90's is going to be working today. Also, you can buy rechargeable AA's if you just want rechargeable. Having a charging port sounds nice, but the same problem exists. My current phone uses a usb-c connection, the one before that was usb-micro, the one before that was a usb-mini, and the one before that was some kind of small power plug. This is all within the last 15 years. I'm sure in another 15 years nobody is going to be using usb-c. I'm confident however that people will be using AA's.

[roberto]

Mine is not working. It is sending signal, checked with my cell camera. I can see the led on while pressing any push button, and see it blinking, but it is not working. A dear friend has two remote controls lend me one plastic (RC-10) and works the same as the RC-20. Mine stopped working from one day to the other. There is no abuse. Also, I just installed new fresh batteries and nothing happens.
I remember a dear forum member who fixed one, changing a yellow color electronic device. I was wondering from where he bought that spare part for the remote.

[AnotherJohnson]

Mine is not working. It is sending signal, checked with my cell camera. I can see the led on while pressing any push button, and see it blinking, but it is not working. A dear friend has two remote controls lend me one plastic (RC-10) and works the same as the RC-20. Mine stopped working from one day to the other. There is no abuse. Also, I just installed new fresh batteries and nothing happens.
I remember a dear forum member who fixed one, changing a yellow color electronic device. I was wondering from where he bought that spare part for the remote.

This is the thread. You might pm Mr_BT.

https://conradjohnsonowners.com/viewtop ... ote+repair

Also jack up Jeff. He should send you a replacement. Yours is still in the warranty period.

[admin]

Mine is not working. It is sending signal, checked with my cell camera. I can see the led on while pressing any push button, and see it blinking, but it is not working. A dear friend has two remote controls lend me one plastic (RC-10) and works the same as the RC-20. Mine stopped working from one day to the other. There is no abuse. Also, I just installed new fresh batteries and nothing happens.
I remember a dear forum member who fixed one, changing a yellow color electronic device. I was wondering from where he bought that spare part for the remote.

It's odd that it's sending the signal but not registering on the equipment (if it's a remote issue). Just to confirm, the RC-10 works on the receiver but the RC-20 doesn't? I've had remotes die on me but they never were actually sending out an actual IR signal.

[roberto]

Yes, the rc10 is working perfect. It's the RC'20.

IMG_8367.MOV

(1.04 MiB) Downloaded 177 times

You can see de LED working.

[roberto]

I have a gremlin around here somewhere. The remote is working nicely now. I did not do anything. It just lied there for 5 days without batteries, and I just installed the batteries back for the video, and tried it, and now it is working as it should.

Very strange things are happening. I started to bother Mr Jeff about it, and he already told to change the PC board...and now it is working...very weird!

[admin]

That is rather unusual. Both the failure with the IR transmitter still working as well as the spontaneous return to normal operation.

[Big Dog RJ]

I usually slap the remote very hard... then it gets retarded! Then I dip it in a glass of Single Malt Whiskey and all is working perfectly!
Cheers maaate,
RJ

[admin]

I usually slap the remote very hard... then it gets retarded! Then I dip it in a glass of Single Malt Whiskey and all is working perfectly!
Cheers maaate,
RJ

I know you are joking, but attempting a hard slap is actually something to try. Sometimes a cold solder joint or contact issue can make/lose contact with a hit.

[roberto]

But this is not the case. The remote was laying on my bobby's room table doing nothing and also without batteries. Then I decided to do the video, so I took the RC-10 batteries off and put them on the RC-20 for the video. Once I did the video, I pointed the remote to the ET-7V2 and it turned the preamp on...then once the preamp was ready to operate, I did try all the push buttons, and all worked. I muted, changed all the inputs, the volume up and down, it worked as it should. I really don't know what happened. I took the batteries' cover off and did checked for a faulty contact or something loose, and everything is neat, no bad solder joints, everything is correct!!!

Chicos, these are very strange days...and I am going to throw blessed water all over the room (lol)...a gremlin is living with me...I dunno. Right now, my local time is 7:32 AM and the remote is OK.

Thanks to all again friends...I AM BACK TO HEAVENLY DAYS AGAIN!

Happy listening.

[Wildcat]

As much as I like the look of this remote (my preamp uses the plastic RC-10--I'd love to replace it), I'm not seeing $350 (or even $100) of materials in this. It's also an odd remote in that it doesn't have a power on or off button, yet if I press the volume buttons the wrong way, I've had the preamp turn off.

[admin]

As much as I like the look of this remote (my preamp uses the plastic RC-10--I'd love to replace it), I'm not seeing $350 (or even $100) of materials in this. It's also an odd remote in that it doesn't have a power on or off button, yet if I press the volume buttons the wrong way, I've had the preamp turn off.

I think the viable alternative is to get a programable remote. You can get a pretty nice one for $100. The RC-10 does look and feel pretty cheap. I have both the RC-10 and RC-20 and the 10 is not a show piece.