2. analog
  3. 178345-152017

SPL Stereo Vitalizer Mk2-T (tube) a beast of a loudness control at $1295

I like to mess about with the sound of my system and have found this unit. It is, in my estimation, a very sophisticated loudness control.

  • 2-channel harmonic exciter
  • Can enhance clarity, detail, loudness, and overall musicality
  • Innovative filter network "de-masks" transient details
  • Bass-focused compressor gives you impressive control over low-frequency dynamics
  • Intuitive controls make it easy to shape sounds fast
  • Equally effective on individual tracks and full mixes

I love this thing. It takes the flat poorly recorded techno music from the seventies(New Order...) and expands the depth and width of the sound stage as well as the dynamic range.

I imagine feeding this a Dolby B or C output from an old cassette player and being able to expand its dynamics. The same for analog I would imagine.

rufusluna
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,516 posts
 

I imagine feeding this a Dolby B or C output from an old cassette player and being able to expand its dynamics.

DBX did that around 50 years ago. It has its limits.

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,149 posts
 

Just another audio band aid. A quick fix for a poorly constructed system. Focus on the synergy of the individual components, speaker placement and room treatment and you’ll have no need for such devices.

lewm
13,100 posts
 

You may like what it does, but nothing in your description reminds me of a classical loudness control. As you may know, a loudness control is supposed to compensate for the Fletcher Munson curve imposed by our own hearing apparatus, where mid range frequencies are heard best and extreme low bass and upper treble frequencies are both rolled off. So a loudness control lifts both ends of the spectrum in relation to the ambient sound pressure level of the listening experience. That’s all it does. What you’re talking about seems very different, deliberately adding coloration that you find to be pleasant. Which is fine.

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