I miss my Loudness Button and Tone Controls....
So I recently upgraded my system to a Rogue Audio Sphinx integrated amplifier, V2.
Prior to this purchase I was using a NAD C162 preamp, and an Emotive UA-200 amplifier.
After a month of listening, I have to say, I miss the tone controls and the loudness feature on the old NAD pre-amp, especially when listening at lower volumes. The Rogue amp sounds great when played at a minimum of 50% of its output, but at lower volumes, it just seems flat. I do use a sub (SVS SB-2000 pro, and I'm using a very efficient speaker (Zu Audio DW's).
I've toyed with the idea of buying an EQ of some sort that has a bypass so that I can boost some of the frequencies when listening at lower volumes, and then bypass when I listening at higher volumes.
Any thoughts on this? Anyone experience anything similar? I'm about to pack and sell the Rogue amp, as the cons outweigh the pros for me.
Styleman . . . Sorry, You misspeak The MA252 comes with electronic tone controls for loudness, bass and treble. The controls can be set separately for each of the 4 inputs and can be turned on or off - while keeping the levels at the desired setting - with the push of a button. So much better than knobs that stick out - Except only bass and treble can be adjusted, not the five different tone settings on the MA352 🙄
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I love having an EQ for vinyl playback. So many 70’s-80’s LPs have the low end rolled off, and it’s amazing how much it can be restored. I’ve been using a studio EQ for this. The Vintage Audio, Skyline M3D. It’s 6 bands of very wide overlapping bands. It’s a mastering EQ with gentle curves and minimal phase shift. It’s extremely musical sounding. Unfortunately for HiFi, it’s balanced operation only. I’m using the XLR outs of my Parasound JC3 preamp, and go balanced into my main preamp. It’s just SO easy (and fun) to re-master a mediocre sounding LP, and make it sound amazing. Forget all your precious audiofool rules about EQ. This EQ makes music sound BETTER... when the source needs the help. On great sounding pressings, I use its hardwire bypass. BTW... it’s $1400. |
@mirolab +1. Your use of the term re-master is perfect. |
’Loudness’ is for any system, any speakers, in any space. fundamental to maintaining involvement at low volumes, i.e. bass player in a Jazz group. sparkle of triangles ... It should be progressively engaged as volume lowers. Tone controls are a broad fix, irrespective of volume, certainly better than nothing if they are needed. They are a simple way to adjust for a particular space, specific track, listener’s preference, our hearing capability changes as we age. Equalizers, advanced tone controls can do a refined job if needed/desired. ....................................... The Chase Remote Line Controller RLC-1 lets you adjust from your listening position: 1. ’loudness’ built in, automatically and progressively implements the Fletcher Munson curve as volume progressively decreases. 2. tone controls for bass and treble. 3. remote balance, many small steps. a wonderful feature for tracks that need it, or a space that needs it. a very small balance tweak can make a surprisingly large improvement. 4. mute 5. 4 inputs (thus you may not need a preamp). 6. two simultaneous pairs of outputs. marked front and rear, identical, early quad era, 4 identical channels before they tried processing of quad. 7. switched rear mounted power outlet (verify-not all versions) it’s 120db s/n ratio is real: Neither I or any of my friends can tell if it it in the system or not. ........................................ It retains your last adjustments. It reverts to factory defaults when unplugged or it’s power source turned off. I have two active, 1 loaned to a friend, and looking for a good deal on a spare. You must have the remote, absolutely no controls on the unit. ....................................................................... This one is pricey, but the only one with a remote that hifishark found.
seems costs are rising. if you eliminate a preamp, sell the preamp, you might make some money and get what you want. |
