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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
gosta's avatar
gosta
839 posts
 
What I think unfortunately is missing in the Loki is the 4 khz control. If your Marantz got that it might be useful to try it. Our ears are very sensitive in the 3-5 khz area. Otherwise no.
giantsalami's avatar
giantsalami
224 posts
 
Plus 1 to kphasap. The Loki is one of the best piece of equipment I have purchased.
big_greg
6,639 posts
 
Schiit has a 15 day return period (with a restocking fee).  You could just order one and try it.  Consider the return shipping and restocking fee a rental fee if you don't like it.

Having said that, in general I don't care for tone controls.  For home theater, EQ is great.  For two channel music, I prefer leaving things flat.  I really only have one device with tone controls, my Vincent SV 237.  They are pretty good and were fun to play with when I first got it, but I have them defeated.

For LP playback, another option to consider is the Parks Puffin.  It allows you to adjust bass, treble, balance, "air",  and "tilt".  I like it a lot, however I ended up leaving everything flat on it after a while also.
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,623 posts
 
Jay73
If you don't have an old fashioned tape loop (to switch it in/out) I wouldn't bother with a Loki. You might find that affordable cables cause too much SQ insertion loss. I have and love my Loki but I rarely use it except for old old fashioned Fletcher Munson loudness compensation for low level background music. 
Most players like BluSound have tone controls or "Soundcraftsman"
 type EQ (foobar, Volumio)
"Alexa play WGBO" (on a hardwired JBL Charge 3) is good enough for background levels for me.
My response to your question is DO NOT use tone to "fine tune" sound.  Upgrade the offending hardware and room treatment for that.

stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,401 posts
 
@noromance ...........................

My 7K McIntosh tube preamp has tone controls.  Hardly cheap or mid-fi. Lots of new equipment has tone controls.  If I need to use them, I do.  A dB or so of bass or treble can make an unlistenable cd listenable again.  You never realize how much you miss tone controls until you have them again. 
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