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The use of equipment as "tone controls"

Several times in my Audiogon reading and posting over the last couple of years, I've noticed this or that contributor commenting along the lines of: "You shouldn't use your amp/cables/cartridge/whatever as a tone control."

I assume what this is supposed to mean is that there is some absolutely correct sound out there, and we ought not have audio equipment of any kind that deviates from that absolutely correct sound.

I might be able to buy into this if we were listening to live instruments (although their sound is, of course, affected by the space in which they are played, the position of the listener, etc., so is not itself "absolute"). But we're not listening to live music. We're listening to recordings. There are microphones, cables, recording equipment, mastering equipment, storage medium, etc, all of which come between us and the original sound--not to mention the taste and perception of the engineers, producers, etc. In that sense, what we hear coming out of our speakers is all illusion, anyway. And the illusion comes in quite a few "flavors." On one system I had, Bill Evans at the Village Vanguard sounded like he was in my living room. But Leonard Bernstein conducting the NY Phil in the early 60's was so shrill it made me run screaming from the room. In my current system, Bill Evans doesn't sound as "right there" as he used to (now I'm a few of rows back, yet still quite happy), but Leonard Bernstein doesn't make my ears bleed, either.

How did I work that? I experimented with different equipment. I used the equipment as "tone controls" (I guess). It's all respectible equipment: ARC, VTL, BAT, Cardas, etc. Maybe it reduced the "accuracy" of the reproduction of Bill Evans, but it increased the "accuracy" of the reproduction of Leonard Bernstein. Maybe. But who knows for sure?

We all tailor the sound of our systems to suit our preferences. What's wrong with that? And, most equipment has it's own sound character. That seems like a good thing, to me. It allows us to tailor our sound.

Now what we REALLY need is a good set of tone controls on our fancy pre-amps, so we can really tailor our sound!

Food for comment?
eweedhome
phd
1,320 posts
 
I used to think that tone controls were for people who had an inferior audio system but there are some pieces out there that incorporate them that don't degrade the signal since by design they (the tone controls) are truly out of the signal path till they are engaged or set to 0db. There is nothing wrong with their use if you feel they improve what your listening to. Certain types of music can actually benefit from them. On critical listening & by engaging them you will lose some detail & transparency however life is full of compromises.

Upfront I am guilty of combining different equipment & cabling like many others trying to get a desired outcome, sounds spendy? Change one piece of gear & you might easily find yourself back on the merry-go-round looking for the perfect match. Some will look at this as a labor of love, others will view the search as I should of left well enough alone. My opinion is do what turns you on because you have to please yourself in the end. Don't let people push you into what they consider acceptable high end gear because who else would know better what sounds good working with your particular room, speakers, source and your tastes in music.
jafox
1,458 posts
 
.... since by design they (tone controls) are truly out of the signal path till they are engaged or set to 0db
Oh how much so many of us would like this to be true. But essentially tone controls are cascaded filter circuits set to unity gain when at the "0db" setting. The signal is still going through them unless there is a bypass switch and then you have that to contend with as well. Look at all the attention made by many designers to incorporate volume controls (no filter at all) that do not affect the sound.
phd
1,320 posts
 
Jafox, I just caught your post. I agree with you that even if the tone controls are disengaged there is that nasty switch in the signal path to contend with and with most preamps, tone controls even set at 0db the circuit is still there present & active. However with some preamps their implimentation is less offensive than others and the settings are more subtle and if very musical that plays a big part. One case in point, the newer Mcintosh preamps by disclaimer states that when their tone controls are set at o db it does completely remove them from the signal path. The other alternative as mentioned is to stay with gear that don't use them period & resort to matching for the perfect sound. I am staying neutral not to offend anyone since I have been on both sides of the fence.
eweedhome OP
227 posts
 
Phd - Why is it so hard for us (or some of us, anyway) to learn the lesson, as you say: "don't let people push you into what they consider acceptable high end gear"? It's so easy, even after years of experience that should leave one smarter, to fall into the lemming-like trap of paying too much attention to other people's ears. I've been fooling with this hobby, on and off, for nearly 25 years, and I'm still absolutely mystified, with some regularity, at how some piece of gear can sound really nice in one setting, and even unpleasant in another (especially my own house!). And vice versa. And the same is not infrequently true of recordings. As far as I can tell, in the end, experimentation in one's own home, with listening sessions longer than a quick half hour, is the only way to get yourself from point A to point B with some level of satisfaction.
phd
1,320 posts
 
Eweedhome, I can only speculate but there may be some lessons to learn here but as I mentioned and you seem to agree, it is what you like and what turns you on. I know how others opinions can have a profound influence on some audiophiles. You being an audiophile of 25 years (anyone who has been involved in this hobby for 25 years has my attention & respect) I'm positive you have come to your own conclusions as you said but trust your own instincts and go with your gut feelings.

There is nothing wrong with suggesting and or recommending a piece of gear but to say in absolute terms it will work for everyone could be misleading. Your particular room with its unique acoustics as well as the associated gear & speakers will influence your take on any given piece of equipment.

Of the five years I have sold on audiogon only one buyer has had the common sense to ask me what is my associated gear. This is important question to reach an intelligent purchasing decision and I know when that question is put to some sellers you can be dismissed as a tire kicker, not a serious buyer, it can be frustrating.

Anyhow my favorite music of choice is smooth jazz but I also like oldies from the 50's, dance, r&b, rock, some country, & electronica music. It is here sometimes I wish I could use one preamp for smooth jazz and another for the remainder. If you find yourself enjoying your current system and the music is very involving then you may have reached your goal. I think we are in agreement.
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