2. amps-preamps
  3. 986669323

To tone control or not to tone control

I recently stepped up to a Conrad Johnson PFR preamp to mate with my CJ MF-2200 amp (200 wpc). Was previously running an Adcom GTP-450 pre/tuner which had bass/treble controls which help to compensate for those recordings which are recorded poorly. Though the CJ PFR sounds really good on most of my cd's there are some of my favorite artists whose recordings are really pitiful. Is there a good tone control which I can use on the PFR to use for these poor recordings? Is there a way to connect both preamps to one system. I do have an older cdp that I could connect to the Adcom preamp for the poor cd's and use the main system for the good stuff. I have also thought of trying a subwoofer to help with filling in the bottom end since most of the poor recordings are R&B and Rock N'Roll and that is where they seem to be lacking the most. The rest of my system consists of a Sherwood Newcastle 980 cdp and Infinity RS 5000 speakers (12 yrs old) and next to be replaced. As always your help is appreciated
128x128artemus_5
analogbass
14 posts
 
I can't imagine not having the flexibility of tone controls-far move value in having the flexibility vs. any minimal loss, if using a high-end piece.

The Accuphase EQs have silly prices, so here's a little secret from the high-end and separate music production realm-get a high-end studio EQ. The White 4700-2 stereo EQ is $1,800 new, about $100 on Ebay. Shhhhhhh....
phd
1,316 posts
 
The Adcom GTP-450 offers the most transparent, relaxed sound I have ever heard from a preamp that has tone controls. I even like the sound produced from the GTP-450 better than the GFA-565, this preamp has soul. This of course is not an audiophile way to go but who cares. You can leave the tone controls in the twelve o clock position and even then it sounded better to my ears than some of the most expesive units, but not all. However I know to most audiophiles who want to do some extreme critical listening they of course will say get the tone controls out of the signal path. I have a GTP-450 & switch to an ARC tube preamp only when I want to do some serious listening on softer music.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Tone controls got a bad reputation several decades ago. Tone control circuitry of modern equipment does not degrade audio quality, but can correct defects in the way a recording was made, and perhaps compensate for your speaker's weaknesses.
phd
1,316 posts
 
To correct the model number I referred to above is a GFP-565 preamp. Again my point is this. The GTP-450 sounded much more open and musical than the GFP-565. I always thought the GFP-565 sounded dark. The GTP-450 is a newer model but was the 450 a mistake? I don't know but when connected to a quality power amp, the sound is remarkable & dynamic. Here is a preamp that can do all music very well. Connected to an Adcom power amp the sound quality is mediocre at best. I tried this preamp on a McCormack 0.5 Rev A & the sound produced was stunning & satisfying, still
maintainig the huge soundstage the McCormack was capable of. For the price this is proof that a preamp retailing new for Five hundred dollars in the early nineties can hold its own against the big boys. Most reviews done on this pre have come from newbees that have no idea what good sound quality is. I don't necessarily seek out a preamp with tone controls but the fact that this fine piece for its price sounds good with them could be a plus!
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Because of their bad reputation, and to satisfy purists, tone controls of many preamps can be bypassed. So it is no harm to have them, (and when no one is looking, you might like to use them).
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