I was not enjoying the performance until I ......


Equalized it with the Schiit Loki unit.  Miraculously, when I boosted the bass which was lacking, the performance came to life.  It’s amazing how my long term  prejudice against using an equalizer caused me to reject so many recordings on the basis of sound deficiencies.  Now I can enjoy previously rejected wonderful performances.
The Loki is an amazing device.  The ingrained bias against tampering with the “purity” or sanctity of the original artifact is rendered ridiculous with it.  It’s of such high quality that it does  not interfere with the 
good qualities of the original disc.  By manipulating the frequencies slightly you can, to use a cliche, turn a sows ear into a silk purse.
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I suppose I do the same thing through tube rolling so I can't knock this approach at all.  I can significantly add bass with a Mullard ECC35 or create more air and a deeper soundstage with some 1940s Tung-Sol 6SN7 round tops, or get more articulation and slam with some vintage RCA 805 power tubes...every change we make has the potential to affect sonic presentation....so what's wrong with turning a knob if that's how you choose to get to your listening preferences?
Given most speaker cables “character” really is a matter of “tone control” as are most things we tweak in this game, a separate tone/eq is a worthwhile discussion. However, I also agree the first and foremost thing to do is get the overall symmetry of the system as dialed as possible. Then, if additional tone tweaking is what your ears want to hear, go for it. I’ve become a BIG fan of less is more in terms of overall equipment. Each cable introduced adds another potential for interference, noise, etc. more power cables increase the chance of ground loops. If these things get introduced, regardless of why, a tone control becomes pointless.
Again, I agree. Getting your system in balance is first and foremost.
It is the goal of every audiophile.
Sources should sound right the overwhelming majority of the time without equalization. It’s just the odd CD or stream that doesn’t make it that needs help.

I have not had any tone controls since the early 70s. I can't say I miss them but it's just a personal thing with me. If it works for you that's fine with me.