To Tone or Not to Tone, that is the question.

I have a Luxman AX590ii which has both tone controls and a loudness control, both can be bypassed. I mostly use the loudness it when I’m listening late at night at low volumes, but will sometimes use it to give the bass a boost on hard rock (I have a JL sub). I am sure purists will get upset, but it’s all about enjoying the music. Sometimes a little Boom-box sound is fun. I do not use the tone controls on classical, except maybe the 1812 overture……

That said, get yourself a better amp as soon as you can. It will make a world of difference. Even a low powered one if money is an issue. 

Each time i used tone controls for the better , it was to compensate for some lacks in my components or from the room...

I did not use them no more  at the end...

It is  nor bad and nor  right to use tone controls...

And it is nor bad or  right to use equalization , mechanical or electronical EQ.

It is some tools...

I use EQ. now for my marvellous headphone to get them more near the Harman curve optimum.. And i use this not because i believe that the Harman curve is the ideal , even if it is statistically so, i use EQ. because my headphone need it to satisfy my ears and my ears are more satisfied near the Harman curve after my experimentation...

What matter is the musical experience through sound...You get it with your components the best you can and with your tools...

@mahgister ,

That's the most comprehendible thing you've said in weeks.....just saying.

It's all just a tool. I like it.

@deadhead1000 , I'm running a Classe CP-800 preamp into a Classe-CA2200 amp. Not sure why I'd need another amp. 

To all, I was just struggling with the settings, I think. I set Aux1 out as another sub, and all of a sudden, everything has come to life.

Thanks, all.

@mahgister , I'm going to leave it where it is for now.

Nice call.

😁😉😊😎😊

@deadhead1000 

He didn't say what amp he's using. Are you clairvoyant or how do you know what amp he needs to upgrade?

Schiit EQs including the Lokis I own are utterly transparent unlike any other EQ I've used for personal or pro work over many decades. You can flip it in  and out with zero effect or clicking or any change in the bypassed tone as long as it's flat...the EQ curves Schiit picked are very useable, and although in my system it's bypassed most of the time (because I'm a purist like YOU) it's there when I need it for certain recordings. The Loki Max is next on my wish list just for the remote capability.

Hey there fellow Classe owner, @coralkong 

my room doesn’t really allow for room treatments, but I use the PEQ of my Delta PRE to help out with that. I believe the CP800 also supports PEQ, and it is way more accurate at fixing your specific issues in your room, speakers, etc. That would be my recommendation, but you need to measure, which means you need equipment, or you can pay someone, which is what I did.

Sometimes you gotta do what sounds good to you.

@wolf_garcia

Yes, love mine ... bigger impact than I would have dreamed ....