# Knobs, Buttons, and Switches vs Touch Screens
**URL:** https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844
**Category:** Everything Else
**Created:** [June 2, 2025, 4:09pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844 "2025-06-02T16:09:09Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@minnesotafats](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/minnesotafats)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 4:09pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/1 "2025-06-02T16:09:09Z")
@Paul I am not fond of one thing about the PMG Preamp…it does not have a physical volume knob. Call me old school but I prefer knobs, buttons, switches, and physical remotes over the ever increasing sleek touchscreens and app based remotes. I guess I fall into a dying market segment both literally and figuratively 🙂
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### Author:  [@aangen](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/aangen)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 4:14pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/2 "2025-06-02T16:14:34Z")
It has an easy access control Matt. It just isn’t a knob. Don’t be a knob about knobs. I have two devices that only have a power switch. And the PowerZone doesn’t even have that. 🙃
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### Author:  [@minnesotafats](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/minnesotafats)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 4:17pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/3 "2025-06-02T16:17:22Z")
I am happy being a knob about knobs. Access control is just another term for touchscreen. I think I may need to form an audio knob alliance group.
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### Author:  [@tomhail](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/tomhail)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 4:39pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/4 "2025-06-02T16:39:08Z")
I feel the same about knobs and buttons, they are preferable to touch screens IMO. BTW, doesn’t the PMG Pre come with the usual PS Audio physical remote? and then there’s that knob remote that may or may not be available. IDK, a detached knob just isn’t natural - not that there is anything wrong with that… LOL
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### Author:  [@Elk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Elk)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 4:39pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/5 "2025-06-02T16:39:38Z")
The same issue arises with automobiles.
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### Author:  [@tony22](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/tony22)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 5:54pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/6 "2025-06-02T17:54:36Z")
That’s one thing I absolutely despise about my 2017 Honda CRV (much as I otherwise love the vehicle). Some design engineer at Honda thought that placing virtually every single climate control function on a soft touch screen - that has to be accessed via a button for use! - was a good idea. 🤬 Climate control changes are probably among the top things done while driving. On the ‘17, the driver has to shift his vision away from the road to see half of what he’s doing with this. Frustrating as all get out. Honda must have figured that out, too, as the following years’ Gen Vs gradually added more button and knob control for climate functions..
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### Author:  [@Cygnus](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Cygnus)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 6:26pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/7 "2025-06-02T18:26:20Z")
I’ll take knobs, switches any day of the week over touch screens. They are not old school, they are just plain better and always will be. Disclaimer, I am a Knob Snob.
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### Author:  [@minnesotafats](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/minnesotafats)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 7:42pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/8 "2025-06-02T19:42:26Z")
I would argue that the touchscreens in cars inevitably lead to a higher level of distracted driving. Changing the temperature, fan speed, and/or volume in a car is more difficult when you don’t have a physical knob or button.
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### Author:  [@MrSmoke](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/MrSmoke)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 7:55pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/9 "2025-06-02T19:55:01Z")
I much prefer Knobs and switches also.
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### Author:  [@hardlyknow1](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/hardlyknow1)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 7:55pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/10 "2025-06-02T19:55:35Z")
Me too
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### Author:  [@Palouse](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Palouse)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 8:13pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/11 "2025-06-02T20:13:00Z")
And while we are on the topic, why on earth do almost all manufacturers and reviewers swoon over those damn iPad-like screens that appear to be duct-taped to the dash? Looks so tacky! And short people, like my wife can’t see over/around them.
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### Author:  [@RonP](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/RonP)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 8:46pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/12 "2025-06-02T20:46:26Z")
There have been times–like 20 minutes ago–when I had to pull over to adjust the A/C and radio stations in my '24 Audi. Somebody tell me–why is this better???
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### Author:  [@Cygnus](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Cygnus)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 9:04pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/13 "2025-06-02T21:04:09Z")
Your are 100 percent correct Sir! I think have these touchscreens in vehicles is as bad as texting and driving.
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### Author:  [@1cdfoley](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/1cdfoley)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 9:04pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/14 "2025-06-02T21:04:42Z")
I’m with Matt. My wife likes my knob, oooh. lol
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### Author:  [@RonP](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/RonP)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 9:11pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/15 "2025-06-02T21:11:01Z")
And another thing: Don’t be eating pizza and manipulate your touch screen.
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### Author:  [@ViperRGD](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/ViperRGD)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 9:22pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/16 "2025-06-02T21:22:44Z")
I remember when the DSD MK II was initially announced and the gasps from many about the absence of the large touch screen that was part of the MK I. PS Audio said it was not included in the MK II design in the interest of reducing noise. Whatever the reason, I was happy to see it gone. The MK II text-based menu was far from perfect (especially initially) but (for me) is superior to the touch screen experience.
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### Author:  [@tomhail](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/tomhail)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 10:02pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/17 "2025-06-02T22:02:44Z")
Ditto!
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### Author:  [@matthewnz-2](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/matthewnz-2)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 10:09pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/18 "2025-06-02T22:09:11Z")
I’m unsure of what problem touch screens solve.
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### Author:  [@joma0711](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/joma0711)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 10:20pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/19 "2025-06-02T22:20:11Z")
they solve a manufacturers problem if reliability on mechanical switches hence save returns (and money).
not necessarily a criticism of manufacturers (they all do it of course).
i think they are the wrong answer, for various reasons (not least accessibility - think about a blind person in a lift or trying to use a help point at a railway station?!)…
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### Author:  [@Elk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Elk)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2025, 10:42pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/knobs-buttons-and-switches-vs-touch-screens/41844/20 "2025-06-02T22:42:31Z")
Touch screens also solve packaging issues. Even a small screen will take place of many switches and buttons.
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