2. amps-preamps
  3. 175792-134479

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.

 

 

barkeyzee1
fleschler
2,015 posts
 

For LPs, R2R and CDs, I have not used tone controls or loudness adjustments for 40+ years. 

However, my 2 TVs use Yamaha CR620 receivers, with speakers which are high end but not optimally positioned.  I use the loudness control judiciously to boost the warmth/balance out the beryllium tweeters.   

Otherwise, my main listening room uses hallographs and correctly positioned speakers to obviate the need for tone controls.  A poorly mastered recording is not altered but with 35,000+ LPs, R2R and CDs, most are still musically enjoyable despite their deficiencies. 

I do use either a parametric equalizer and/or a Marantz 7c for my 78 rpm records.  My 7,000 78s have no standardized equalization (especially acoustic recordings) that require adjustment.

deadtrader
7 posts
 

I agree with the need for EQ adjustment. But unfortunately the Rogue doesn't have pre-amp in & out or a tape loop, so the eq has to be between the source and the Rogue. If you have more than one source this can become tricky. You'll need an equalizer or dac with switchable inputs. This same problem just happened to me. I've been happy for 20yrs with my Rotel separates with a Rane ME60 between them. Wanted you upgrade my Revel Performa F30 studio monitors, always though the top end was a little lacking, In the process of ordering speakers I also got a PrimaLuna integrated. My speakers weren't lacking it was the amps. Fell in love with the PL but could not install Rane between pre and power portions. Had to exchange the integrated for a PL power amp, and still waiting for pre to show up.

My one recommendation to anyone getting an equalizer is be sure it has a by-pass mode. (was mentioned earlier)

fiesta75
1,378 posts
 

+1 russ69 for SAE!

slofut
24 posts
 

+1 for Yamaha Natural Sound loudness control. Is it not the one with variable compensation? Been a while since I’ve had one but if I could find an outboard example I’d buy it in a heartbeat for lower level listening. I also have a nad tuner/preamp with a decent loudness control.

Many of the examples mentioned are more eq than fletcher munson compensation, you don’t want the same boost at higher volumes.

Got excited about the Schiit Loki Mini only to find out it wasn’t tapered with volume. So it’s mostly just an eq? Am I correct? I think The only outboard FM loudness control I’ve heard of is a vintage Macintosh unit?

I hate to plug in another device in the signal path but I would in this case.

uzj100
25 posts
 

 

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