2. amps-preamps
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Tone controls- to use or not?

Thanks to years of playing in bands, and more recently working in a noisy environment, I've come to the sad realisation that my 40-year old ears no longer have their original upper frequency response. Adding a bit of "treble" on my amp's tone controls helps, but I'm normally loathe to use these controls.

Should I be looking at changing my setup to incorporate "brighter" sounding components, or is adding a little treble with the tone controls legitimate?

My system is a Cambridge 640C player, NAD c720 stereo receiver (based on c320 amp) and B&W DM602 speakers, Monster cable IC's and heavy guage "Kordz" (Australian) copper speaker wires.
carl109
nosnhoj
12 posts
 
I have slipped a variation of this question into several discussions. With regard to digital equalization, is there a program or software plug-in available (for Windows Media Player or Foobar, for example) that is considered high quality? The Behringer route seems like a good idea, but for computer or server-based playback, I wonder if the digital signal could be processed (EQed) with software before it is sent from the computer. Clearly, audio recording software (for home studios) offers this feature, but it is a cumbersome way to listen to 2-channel audio.
Regards,
Nosnhoj
carl109 OP
134 posts
 
Thanks for the replies. I guess as we age we have to make the best of what hearing we have left!
For me the tone controls are a double-egded sword. If I add a little treble, the top-end opens up nicely, but when I use the tone bypass switch, the overall sound is better in terms of clarity and soundstage.

Would the component to change be the amp? I'm led to believe NAD amps are generally warmer sounding, and perhaps I should audition a Cambridge or Marantz?
vett93
205 posts
 
Have you tried power cords, interconnects, or speaker cables with some silver content?
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
i have a different experience wit respect to aging. i am more sensitive to treble frequencies than i was 30 years ago. i find very often that i want to attenuate frequencies in the range 1000 to 3000 hz.

i believe, as vett93 has stated, cable, a passive compoent is a better approach than active equilization. in some cases equalizing brings with it phase shifts.
wireless200
415 posts
 
Same here. I'm more senstive to treble. I eventually bought a McIntosh (known for a more laid back nature) and a Mc preamp with tone controls. It's the only way to go IMO if you want to listen to your whole CD collection.

I tried all the other things cables, power conditioning, room acoustic changes but they made little difference. The Mc Amps sealed the deal.
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