2. analog
  3. 155578-132496

Question about Tone Controls + Equalizers

So I wanted to get opinions on Tone Controls.

I listen to all my music including LP's with Tone Controls defeated.

Why do I do that, you say? Because when I started on this journey I had the impression in my mind that in order to be an Audiophile, you have to listen to all music in it's purest form otherwise you are degrading the sound (I know, a very novice and naive mentality). 

So my first questions, do you all listen to LP's with tone controls on or off (if you have the capability in your system)?

My second question is about equalizers and in particular the Schiit Loki. If you have Tone Controls in your system, is adding a equalizer or tone control system useless or does it interfere whit your built in Tone Controls? Would you have defeat the Tone Controls on your own system in order to use the Loki or could they work with each other? I am not sure.

Do you all think a device like the Loki could possibly help fine tune your system sound? Is anyone using it in their own rig with LP playback?

That is what I would use it for, LP Playback, if I ever got the Loki or anything similar.

Thanks
128x128jay73

Showing 1 response by fuzztone

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,496 posts
 
Jay73
If you don't have an old fashioned tape loop (to switch it in/out) I wouldn't bother with a Loki. You might find that affordable cables cause too much SQ insertion loss. I have and love my Loki but I rarely use it except for old old fashioned Fletcher Munson loudness compensation for low level background music. 
Most players like BluSound have tone controls or "Soundcraftsman"
 type EQ (foobar, Volumio)
"Alexa play WGBO" (on a hardwired JBL Charge 3) is good enough for background levels for me.
My response to your question is DO NOT use tone to "fine tune" sound.  Upgrade the offending hardware and room treatment for that.

More to discover