Generally anything between the source and the amplifier will suck the life out of the music.Because the room acoustic come after the amplifier do you think that it will not interfer ?
And the electrical noise floor of the house is where? before the source or between the source and the amplifier or after the amplifier?
And the mechanical interference where are they? anywhere it seems...
And all this can suck the life out....
Then wait a minute, if the filter controls on My Sansui interfer to improve the perceived sound can it be good perhaps for me ears? It seems to me that it did not suck the life at all...😊
I think many people really think that audio experience is reducible to "some kind" of pure virginal electronic design created without sins ....Even at his optimal working, no electronic design can give a good audio experience by itself only...None....It need to be specifically embed....
Name it tone controls, filters controls, acoustical controls devices, mechanical vibrations or resonance controls, or electrical noise floor controls, we need many things to give life anew to the audio system then perhaps something between the source and the amplifier can be good....
Happy New year....