Balance Control

I have reached the point of my journey that I will not be without a balance control ever again. I lived for too many years with a pre-amp that did not provide one, and the skewing of the soundstage was an irritant that I don't want to endure again. I purchased the first version of a preamp of a very good tube manufacturer, because his subsequent preamp offerings did not have the balance control. My hearing, my room, my vintage components (older cartridges, a tuner from the early 60's, a reel-to-reel tape deck from the 70's) - none of those things are perfectly symmetrical. 

One good work around is to invest in DSP - I used a DSpeaker Anti-Mode 2.0 - as they often have a balance control as part of its offerings. Plus, it will snap your bass into good shape as well...

David

I searched for a MM Phono Stage for my office, tried and returned several highly respected mid priced units, sent them all back, finally thought, I’ll use this temporarily until I solve this

https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Phono-Turntable-Preamp-Preamplifier/dp/B00025742A/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

It sounds darn good, better than several that cost 250-500. I enjoyed it’s sound, and it fits behind anything. Now your TT becomes line level into the Chase, like your CD and Streamer, then Chase to Hegel, which powers both your headphones and speakers, all sources pre-balanced via the Chase.

My son has it now, my Little Luxman Tube Integrated has MM/MC built-in and sounds very good.

That Chase RLC-1 has an automatic low level listening feature they don't mention, that must be understood and set up correctly.

Unplug, Plug it In, that gets all the lights flashing and resets all defaults, which is a fairly low volume level. Press it's remote power button, the lights stop flashing, all ready.

Leave Chase volume alone, Raise or lower your Hegel Integrated Amp's Volume Control to your typical listening level, and leave it there unchanged after this 'initial 'normal'.

NOW: Use the Chase to adjust balance as desired. Select any input, 

AFTER 'initial normal', After 'initial balance' use the Chase to raise or lower the volume. When you go below the default volume level of the Chase, it has automatic and progressive BASS BOOST, it will maintain the presence of a Jazz Bass player for instance, as our hearing is not 'equal' at low volumes, re: Fletcher Munson 'Loudness' Curve.

Chase holds all last selections and settings, power on your most recent volume, balance, input are all retained

It's a great feature, however you need to be aware of it, and use it properly. You want to avoid bass boost at too loud volumes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour

I add a face mounted power switch so I can get back to defaults occasionally without unplugging it.

I use this to control the channel balance of my turntable as needed.  It’s probably far from audiophile-approved, but it works great for me.  They make versions with balanced (XLR) inputs and outputs also.

please clarify this, as Schitt Lokius is coming up as a 6 band equalizer; the way you put it, I thought it was a 'Lokius' brand of TT and CD player

"Also run a pair of Lokius - table and cd"