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Loudness - Why has the industry stopped producing amplifiers with this feature any longer?

I listen to music at all times of the day and night (solid sleep eludes me the older I get).  My favorite times are when the family is gone and I can select the listening level, mostly moderate to higher volumes.  But the simply fact is I find myself listen at lower levels much more often then my preferred listening mode.

Piggybacking on a discussion regarding low level listening here on Audiogon, I'm posing the question:  Why has the majority of industry stopped producing amplifiers with this feature any longer?

I look forward to your input
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vwfan53's avatar
vwfan53
7 posts
 
I have always been a huge fan of the Loudness Switch for the reason the OP describes. I find a way to incorporate or replicate in all my systems.

Below are my solutions to add "Loudness" capability to my multiple systems:

  • System 1: 70’s Vintage Technics Rig w/Reel-to-Reel with "Tape Loops" (x2) and NO factory Loudness switch, oddly = I run an external Technics Parametric EQ via the tape loop "Set to replicate the Fletcher-Munson curve and correct for my room". When I want this enabled, I flip the switch to monitor Tape 2 where it resides. :-)

  • System 2: McIntosh C52 based. I purposely sought out this Pre-Amp because of its EQ, which toggles on/off via front switch. Like above, I replicate the F-M Curve and a hint of Room Correction. I purposely bought this Pre-amp for this explicit purpose and late night listening.

  • System 3: Schitt Loki EQ. Just like above, I use this in my Office system with powered monitors to emulate the Loudness curve.

  • System 4: Computer - Amarra and/or iTunes. I just do it in Software. iTunes actually has a per-programmed "Loudness" setting.


Call me old school, but give me this (eq) functionality/capability over using e$oteric cables ’for tone control’ any day. If I want brighter, darker, or tighter sound, I turn a few knobs to my liking.  If a recording sucks and FLAT isn't cutting it, turn a few knobs.  :-)

Bring back the "Tape Loop"!!!!
yakbob
477 posts
 
You could try one of these. It also has a defeat switch for when your audiophile friends visit:

http://www.deliciousdecibels.com/the-delicious-one.html
lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
687 posts
 
Mitsubishi used a variable loudness knob on several of their receivers too, I always liked that feature over the loudness switch.  If you got a loudness button or dial, you end up using it.  For many more years than not, I don’t have loudness & I don’t miss it either.
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stereo_gen
60 posts
 
I will not purchased a system without the loudness switch. I have a restored Marantz 2275 and the Vincent Audio SV 237 and both have loudness switch which are available when needed. My ears like music with the low-end forward and some of the older music are not mastered by today's standards and the loudness switch bring the low-end a step up closer. There is no right way or wrong way to listen to your music. It your equipment and your ears and preference. Think about this - every artist sculpt the music to their preference and the end results is what you hear. This is also true when a classic album is re-mastered by a someone other than the original engineer. There are good and bad mastered and re-mastered music that will always change the sound. The creator controls the final results.
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