Tone controls- to use or not?

Most of high end preamps don't even have tone controls and all amps sold in Best Buy do. This alone should suggest something.

That audio purists are masochists and would rather buy several amps until they get what works in their room rather than tweak a few db with a tone control? Just kidding LOL ;-)

Tone control destroys imaging, clarity, and even tone. It changes harmonic structure by improper summing of harmonics (high quality constant group delay Bessel like adjustable filters ain't cheap).

In EXCESS absolutely - but most tone controls are used very lightly - or at least they should be.

Purists would also say that capacitors shouldn't even be in the signal path.

They should use active speakers in this case (and actively powered by amps that do not use coupling capacitors in the signal path)

In addition - system should restore original concert performance. So here is the question: How do you adjust treble when you are at the concert?

Yes but...the mix engineer and mastering engineer has already monkeyed around so much with what you hear that this "purity" goal becomes a "mute" point. (And these guys start by selecting mikes and placements that help create the sound they desire from the get go - so there is never "purity" to begin with)

Another way to apply this "purity" logic would be to say that "I want to hear as close as possible to what the recording engineer hears". In this case buy the same equipment (speakers are the most distorting) as are used to mix/master your favorite music - or get what your favorite artists likes to use. At least, then you can conclude that you are perhaps hearing things a little closer to how they were intended to be heard. Although, I'll admit even this is a weak argument and not as strong as the logic that says "I'll use _______ because if it is good enough for "- insert your favorite classical audio label -" then it will be good enough for me." Kind of a Stereophile A list approach, however, without the nagging concern that stereophile makes money from advertisements and therefore has a vested interest to have an all inclusive extensive A list.

Good discussion....tone controls have caused serious angst with audiophiles for many years and no doubt will continue to do so.

I've come to the sad realisation that my 40-year old ears no longer have their original upper frequency response.

It is not a severe problem. Treble above 12KHZ is of very little of interest anyway in music.

If you are suffering much lower down in the midrange then you must see a doctor. Use this to check to see if your hearing loudness curve is "normal" - it should look like the typical equal loudness contour - if it does not then see a doctor.

Don't be surprised if you can't hear the 16 KHz tone - most people over 40 can't.

there is an implicit assumption that that the engineer and the performer want the purchaser of a recording to hear "something"

Well erm...Yes that is kinda the idea of music - generally your expected to hear something. I guess some people do use CD's as coasters and some people just collect stuff (memorabilia) but generally most people buy music so they can hear the music (which includes all its nuances of loud/soft/timbre etc.) Some people buy several versions of the same tracks - remixes and such for dance clubs are often more fun with better dynamic range. I can't see the majority of artists, producers and engineers not caring what it sounds like on consumer systems...

Altering tone always produces sonic degradation because it puts one more element in the chain (even if you set it 0dB/0dB). It destroys clarity imaging etc.

"Destroy" is a strong word.

I guess these guys have much to learn about how not to destroy sound (looks like they use EQ controls to me)

each channel on a typical mixing board has it's own EQ. Used correctly, these can be adjusted to convey that instrument or vocalist with as natural a presentation as possible......My personal philosophy has always been, "Less is Better!" with regard to signal manipulation. To me the best results are always accomplished with a really good setup in the studio, and as little after-tweeking as possible.

I agree fully. I am not advocating that people use tone controls at +18 db to correct for a terrible room or system. All I am saying is that "Used correctly, tone controls can be adjusted to convey the music with as natural a presentation as possible - in a given room/setup" and "correctly" means very lightly - perhaps +/-3 db tilt at the most in a good setup (room/gear) or to suity personal taste.

Used correctly, a tone control (or even one set flat to 0 db) does not destroy, IMHO