dual volume controls?

Rwwear, thank you for giving me permission to listen to my system how I want. I didn't know I needed your permission, but apparently you're in a giving mood, so I'll accept.

Yes, it's the recording that can use correction. Not all recordings, but it's not unusual. And yes it is as expensive to implement a good balance control as it is to do a good volume control.

You're welcome. But I wasn't giving you permission just stating a fact.

Sounds more like an opinion than a fact.

Yeah, it's my opinion you can listen how you want.

Rwwear, you are absolutely correct when you say that a balance control is an additional filter between the music and the listener. To put that in perspective you should do the following thought experiment. Starting at the microphone in the recording studio and ending with your ears at the listening chair, count the number of switches and knobs in the recording/playback chain. Even in the most simplified chain you're going to have at least 20 such "filters". If that's the case, then why have a problem with filer #21, particularly if it does something positive?