None of my systems have tone controls. I guess the manufacturers of higher end systems frown on that, and I can see why, but I have always used an equalizer of some sort. The main issue I run into is that every eq that I have ever tried adds at least some level of hiss, even if very low.
Regardless of what others say and even with excelled equipment and room acoustics I have always felt a need for some level of equalization to suit my personal taste.
If anyone can point me toward a non- computer analog EQ (parametric ok) with inaudible hiss, please let me know!