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Adding Tone Controls?

My system sounds wonderful when playing well recorded jazz, classical, or "audiophile approved" material. Unfortunately, mass market pop frequently sounds horrible, with screechy splashy highs. It's obviously recorded with a built in bias to be played on car radios or lo-fi mp3s.
What can I add to my system to tone-down the highs on this sort of material? Sure, there's plenty of well recorded material to listen to, but there are plenty of pop rock bands I'd really like to explore if the recordings could be made a bit more listenable.
bama214
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roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
Check out the DSPeaker Dual Core 2.0. A fabulously flexible unit that gives you DSP for under 500Hz, and a full EQ for the entire audio listening band. Balance controls too.
alextychkin
87 posts
 
After tinkering around with cables and swapping equipment for years, I've finally settled on a japanese mammoth of an integrated amp with defeatable frequency trim function (aka tone controls). Finally, I feel at peace and content.
While listening to my computer system, I've also discovered the usefulness of Amarra-based equalization. No shame in either
snofun3
601 posts
 
Or the folks at AR, CJ and Krell know about hacks who drink deeply of the Kool-Aid and would NEVER use tone controls or an EQ, but futze with cables and IC's to modify the sound. Roll eyes.....
humbuster
15 posts
 
I agree with Rpeluso.

I am adding a new Integrated shortly and will go with either a Luxman 505u or McIntosh MA6600. Both have defeatable tone controls.

My first choice would have been the Bryston, however no tone controls makes it uncertain for some recordings.
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