Erik
I agree that tone controls can make good sense and suit the needs or desires of many people. And also I think the fear many audiophiles have of contaminating the purity of their signal are likely overblown. Personally I’d never decry anyone’s choice to use tone controls or and EQ.
That said, I had a “transparent” digital eq in my rack for years and years (RDP-1). I found that I essential found I never felt the need for it. Once my speakers are dialed in nicely I tend to enjoy pretty much everything played through them. Also, my CJ tube amps may be acting as a subtle tone control for my speakers. If so, it’s a set-and-forget tone that I seem to like across the board :)
Further, I don’t really like the idea of fiddling with EQ per track. That’s a more fidgety approach to music listening than I want to engage in. Simply accepting the sound as it is leads me to focus on the music more. (Though when I DO want to play with the sound I tend to do it via acoustics, whether it’s pulling a curtain on the side wall for a more or less spacious lively sound, putting a pillow behind my head or the like).
But that’s just an account of the approach I take. Someone else may be the opposite where if, for instance, they find a track too shrill or lacking bass it would detract from their musical enjoyment so they activate tone controls.
I agree that tone controls can make good sense and suit the needs or desires of many people. And also I think the fear many audiophiles have of contaminating the purity of their signal are likely overblown. Personally I’d never decry anyone’s choice to use tone controls or and EQ.
That said, I had a “transparent” digital eq in my rack for years and years (RDP-1). I found that I essential found I never felt the need for it. Once my speakers are dialed in nicely I tend to enjoy pretty much everything played through them. Also, my CJ tube amps may be acting as a subtle tone control for my speakers. If so, it’s a set-and-forget tone that I seem to like across the board :)
Further, I don’t really like the idea of fiddling with EQ per track. That’s a more fidgety approach to music listening than I want to engage in. Simply accepting the sound as it is leads me to focus on the music more. (Though when I DO want to play with the sound I tend to do it via acoustics, whether it’s pulling a curtain on the side wall for a more or less spacious lively sound, putting a pillow behind my head or the like).
But that’s just an account of the approach I take. Someone else may be the opposite where if, for instance, they find a track too shrill or lacking bass it would detract from their musical enjoyment so they activate tone controls.