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Question about Tone Controls + Equalizers

So I wanted to get opinions on Tone Controls.

I listen to all my music including LP's with Tone Controls defeated.

Why do I do that, you say? Because when I started on this journey I had the impression in my mind that in order to be an Audiophile, you have to listen to all music in it's purest form otherwise you are degrading the sound (I know, a very novice and naive mentality). 

So my first questions, do you all listen to LP's with tone controls on or off (if you have the capability in your system)?

My second question is about equalizers and in particular the Schiit Loki. If you have Tone Controls in your system, is adding a equalizer or tone control system useless or does it interfere whit your built in Tone Controls? Would you have defeat the Tone Controls on your own system in order to use the Loki or could they work with each other? I am not sure.

Do you all think a device like the Loki could possibly help fine tune your system sound? Is anyone using it in their own rig with LP playback?

That is what I would use it for, LP Playback, if I ever got the Loki or anything similar.

Thanks
128x128jay73
pratorious
124 posts
 
My McIntosh preamps/receivers have  always had equalizer controls which I used sparingly to make particular recordings more appealing to my ears. On those recordings I would be very frustrated if I couldn’t adjust anything at all!  It was annoying to remember to return it back to neutral on the next album though.
My latest preamp, the McIntosh C70, is a simpler style and has only bass and treble controls with a switch to defeat. This better suits me as I am using it like a loudness switch on those records that need some help. More often than not I want to tame some harsh highs and boost bass with certain recordings. But it’s a very small fraction of records and it’s easy to switch off and then my settings are close to where I need them the next time the recording needs it. 
It’s also, of course, very volume contingent which is why I would be very frustrated without any control at all.



tuberist's avatar
tuberist
951 posts
 
If you use Roon, you can modify your digital signal to your taste. I enjoy upsampling to DSD 512. However, you need the right hardware to accomplish this. Some like the DSD mode and others do not. We all have different ears and taste.

ianrodger
164 posts
 
Copied from a previous reply - Tone controls are mostly a "feature" of cheaper amps. They help boost or tune the sound to compensate for system weaknesses.

Some high end stuff has them too. Top of the line Luxmans from the '70s for example.
You can use them to overcome recording weaknesses also, as opposed to supposed "system" weaknesses.

erik_squires
15,879 posts
 
Hey, might want to see this thread ...

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/toole-and-why-i-like-tone-controls?highlight=toole%2Btone%2Bc...
terry9
2,244 posts
 
Analogue tone controls must have both a resistance and a reactance (capacitance or inductance). Both of these are imperfect devices unless you spend very big bucks (think radio station and vacuum capacitors). Unless your tone control costs six figures, it must introduce distortion.

Digital has its own problems, but I don't use that technology (don't like it), so I can't give you chapter and verse.
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