I agree. I grew up with tone control equipped electronics and think they've gotten a bum rap. It usually doesn't take much adjustment to make things sound "right". Instead of trying to make the controls better we threw the baby out with the bathwater. |
Some have the same notion about DSP nowadays. |
Well, I'll throw a wet towel on this. And, since I know Richard personally, I say this as a friend.
If you need to add/subtract via a tone control, then I think your system isn't in sync.
And, I don't doubt that adding some tone control won't help certain recordings, but I find it a bit of a band-aid approach, as you will have to adjust the settings with each recording.
Bob
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The vast majority of the CDs I own sound fine. I couldn’t be happier with them.
HOWEVER, there are SOME discs that I really like, but avoid playing because of poor mastering or engineering. With the Loki, these discs can be rehabilitated by equalization so that they really shine.
I totally agree it would be ridiculous if you had to adjust the settings on everything you played. It would be foolhardy. That’s not the point.
The point is, you shouldn’t have to suffer listening to discs with aberrations just to prove that equalization is a bad thing.
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OP, folks can say what they want. We all get in our cars, PU, SUVs, on our Scoots, or however we're getting there and what do we do?
You turn on the stereo, check the weather report, traffic conditions, and put on some music.. Did you leave everything in the transportation device the same? OR did you tinker with every part of that fancy new EQ, fadder, balance, bass boost, treble trim and And AND!! LOL Bull pucky.
People use Tone Control, what do you do, toss the CD, Tape, MP3, RtR? NOPE, you use the tone control.. Hardheads!!!
Pay 400.00 for a record, when the last one needed a little bump on the bottom, HuH!!!
Don't think so...
Regards
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I suppose I do the same thing through tube rolling so I can't knock this approach at all. I can significantly add bass with a Mullard ECC35 or create more air and a deeper soundstage with some 1940s Tung-Sol 6SN7 round tops, or get more articulation and slam with some vintage RCA 805 power tubes...every change we make has the potential to affect sonic presentation....so what's wrong with turning a knob if that's how you choose to get to your listening preferences? |
You will have to adjust on each recording.
Who is this you? |
Given most speaker cables “character” really is a matter of “tone control” as are most things we tweak in this game, a separate tone/eq is a worthwhile discussion. However, I also agree the first and foremost thing to do is get the overall symmetry of the system as dialed as possible. Then, if additional tone tweaking is what your ears want to hear, go for it. I’ve become a BIG fan of less is more in terms of overall equipment. Each cable introduced adds another potential for interference, noise, etc. more power cables increase the chance of ground loops. If these things get introduced, regardless of why, a tone control becomes pointless. |
Again, I agree. Getting your system in balance is first and foremost.
It is the goal of every audiophile.
Sources should sound right the overwhelming majority of the time without equalization. It’s just the odd CD or stream that doesn’t make it that needs help.
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I have not had any tone controls since the early 70s. I can't say I miss them but it's just a personal thing with me. If it works for you that's fine with me. |
System in sync? Nobodies system is in sync. Even under the best of circumstances there will be +- 5db variations in frequency response. Worse, the left and right speakers will not be exactly the same causing havoc with imaging. Impulse testing and digital frequency response control are the only way to deal with this. Once you know what perfectly flat sounds like you can make modifications to suit taste. You can see this application on my system page. I do not change response for various recordings. I prefer to listen to what the engineer intended. My system is so detailed I can almost always hear through to the instruments even listening to such stuff as Lois Armstrongs Hot Five and Hot Seven. |
For those against a tone control, isn't all your gear collectively a tone control?
Amp, pre, ic's, speaker cables, power cords, tubes, room acoustics....
These are all individually selected to give you the correct 'tone' for your musical tastes. So why not a turn of a knob? |
One of the reasons I bought a Croft pre-amp is it has both a left and a right knob . Since the amp is a all hard wired by Herr Croft himself
it is nothing but a great help .
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No self respecting audiophile would ever use EQ. Assaulting the room with treatments is much more fun and intrusive.
DSP: that’s right out! |
@thecarpathian - Your statement would be true if you only listened to one recording. Since every record has a different recording crew, general adjustments are necessary.
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Happy holidays everyone. It is amazing to me what some of us do to compensate for the inadequate recording " sound " we deal with, over and over. Treat yourself to a cd or digital file download of " Drums & Bells ", by Tony Minasian. This recording will help you to determine what, if anything, is needed in your system, for your ears. Thank me later. Enjoy ! Always, MrD. |
