Colorizing The Sound


For last 7 years I've been using "regular" audio system which consisted of CD player, equalizer, SS integrated amplifier and speakers. Every element in this system was purchased as new for the price ranging from 600 dollars for CD player to 1K for amp. Now I replaced everything by Oracle Turntable, DK Design integrated amp and M.Logans speakers. The turntable connected to amp with 700 dollars cable and speakers use 500 dollars version. Everything is above an average...or at least better than I had before. The soudstage now is wider, deeper... The overall sound is - I would say - more intelligent, sophisticated.. Like a good old wine.....Most likely I didn't yet grow to the level of expertise to start to appreciate the real hi-fi quality...but I really do miss those bass and treble knobs I had on my old amplifier. While (according to what I read here) having them on amplifier would ad some unnecessary electric circuity...I really think they play important role in creating richer and more colorful sound.
On top of bass and treble controls of my old Yamaha amplifier I used equalizer which probably tripled colorization of sound. Many of you could say that those equalizers and bass/treble controls just distort the music throwing it away from real, flat sound a good amplifier delivers...away from the sound of real unamplified instrument.
I wonder what you guys use to substitute missing treble/bass controls? Are there any electronic devices(may be equalizers?) which let control (to add or to subtract) tones of music? Please correct me if I am wrong.
sputniks
Thanks guys! I just placed an order on Behringer DEQ2496 parametric equalizer. I just have to make sure I will able to use it since the equalizer should be pluged between turntable and intergrated amplifier wich has a built in phone-In (DK Desing). I am leaning to think that DK Design is "cold" sound amp. I am sure with this Behringer I will able to change tonal quality of the sound....if I just would know how to do it properly! =)
I agree the DK is a little cool-sounding. However, I don't think your equalizer will fundamentally change that. I bet you end up with a different amp in the end. Let us know how it goes. Arthur
Sputniks...Did you download the owner's manual? The DEQ2496 can be controlled as either a 31 band graphic or 7 band parametric equalizer. (And it can do other clever things that you might have fun playing with).

The input and output can be either balanced or unbalanced, but they do operate at line level, so you will need to find the pre-out point of your integrated amp. To use the auto equalization feature you need to buy the Behringer calibration mic, and a suitable mic cable.
I was unable to download the user manual...the web site is asking for user name and password.... What is "pre-out point" of the amplifier? I took a look at the image of the rear panel of Behringer eqaulizer. It look like it has only balanced in and out (not RCAs). Do I have to use balanced calbe connectors to connect it to amp and turntable? Thand for any tips!
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