Well, I guess some people do still have amps without remotes (it actually didn't occur to me) and come to think of it when I last visited my grandfather in Preston Lancashire and aunt in Lees (near Oldum) it seemed like things across the pond were a bit behind as compared to here. Or, I suppose the thought over there might be that things should last a lot longer (referencing the way homes and fences are built of stone) so why upgrade your perfectly good amp just for the remote feature.

It seems that here in the states we tend to be more of a "disposable" country; expecting things to last a relatively shorter period of time as compared to there.

Cheers!