Actually, it's more common for those who prefer theirs "without" to look down their noses at those who prefer theirs "with".
treble/bass control in tube pre-amp
- Thread starter avs9
- Start date
Really? Just read the responses in this thread and see who has the attitude.
That doesn't even include the other 58000 threads on the topic.
How about the manufacturer felt their design was the best for that piece and figured you could always add an eq if needed. Some have bypass switches, others just did not put on tone controls so did not need to worry about it.
On my CJ, they reference using an EQ in the owner's manual. I would guess also cost comes into consideration as they are trying to reach a certain price point and maybe they believe in order to put in tone controls and a bypass would elevate it above that price point.
Never saw the big deal in that I would think a good eq is better then tone controls anyway, but I would imagine that would also get people lining up on either side of the fence.....hmmmm, wonder about a tube eq....
On my CJ, they reference using an EQ in the owner's manual. I would guess also cost comes into consideration as they are trying to reach a certain price point and maybe they believe in order to put in tone controls and a bypass would elevate it above that price point.
Never saw the big deal in that I would think a good eq is better then tone controls anyway, but I would imagine that would also get people lining up on either side of the fence.....hmmmm, wonder about a tube eq....
similost
Rockin and Rollin....
I guess I do it because I get hammered on because I do everything wrong.. I use pro speakers, I use EQ's, and use pro amps, and of course without the certain type giving my system a listen, the certain kind imply it's gotta sound like crap because it's not a straight wire between the CD player and the audiophile only style speakers.. So hey.. I don't like the closed mind kinda people that believe a system is only good without controls bashing those that do.. and as stated, the snide are usually the first ones to speak up, so just doing my part too..
Do I have the kind of money to buy the type of system a highbrow audiophile would approve of... yes... do I believe it's the best bang for the buck? no.... Do I have a problem with them buying that kind of system? no.... but who is the first to say who is wrong in their thinking.. .usually not me until someone else starts up... but I do believe the people who believe that any type of control other than a volume control does have a closed mind, and could enjoy the sound of a system a lot more if they adjusted it to their preferences instead of accepting what the manufacturer claims to be the best.
I find those people are the same type of people that piss me off knocking on my door trying to tell me I am living my life wrong.... They can't believe in their own choices without trying to get others to believe like them so they feel justified in their beliefs..
Last edited:
JonL
Lunatic Member
Agreed, Kirk. I think those who prefer "with" have an expectation that those who prefer "without" look down their noses and become unnecessarily defensive (and often proactively "offensive"). Just go and read all the other 58000 threads... the typical position of the "withouts" is "I prefer without, but if you like with, use them. No problem."
I can, and do, because in every single instance I've tried the preamp with no tone controls sounded better. Your mileage may vary. Mine didn't.
And just like in every single instance of this debate, it is the tone control folks making snide remarks and insulting the choice of those who don't use them, while maintaining that they are somehow under attack themselves. You know what? Most of us who don't use them tried it both ways before coming to our opinion. That's why we don't care. We've proven it to ourselves with our own hearing instead of making the decision based on an assumed audiophile snobbiness that ISN'T THERE.
The biggest fallacy in all of audio is that there is some audiophile conspiracy to sell people on anything like no tone controls. The reason that has become the way things are is simply because people heard that, and in large proportion, liked it better. Myself among them. Conspiracy? I didn't get the memo. I simply tried about 20 preamps and like by a huge margin those with no tone controls. That's a shitty conspiracy and cost me a lot of money.
Last edited:
Who has ever said that? Who are these certain kind? Everybody here and elsewhere is just relating their experiences. If they differ, that's part of the fun of the hobby. But if my experience is that no tone controls is better to me, that's what I"m going to say. It's never meant as a slight to anybody else, it's just how I've heard things. I have no experience with a setup like yours outside of recording studios but can say that the best sound I ever heard was in one..using pro amps, pro speakers and a very well designed room. Totally different from mine and I'm sure there was EQ in play but possibly at the crossover level...certainly available on the board but what I was listening to was un-mastered high res digital running only with the EQ the engineer had put to the recording.
You're in the club! I can give you the audiophile conspiracy newsletter now.
It's so silly how fired up we all get, including myself, over such a dumb thing as to whether or not we're tweaking the freq. response around or not.
clydeselsor
Lunatic Member
Modern audiophiles don't believe in tone controls. My pre-amp or amp has them but I typically don't use them (I set them flat). That is not to say that using them is wrong...
There's a whole wide world beyond the boundaries of this site.
This is one site with a singular bent and somewhat of an agenda. Check out other audio sites, particularly "Audiophile" sites, and then get back to me.
Westy56
A symphony of paradox
I have an Ike and Tina LP that requires major correction to the eq for it to be listenable (turnover,rolloff,treble).
For normal listening, I prefer the controls flat (out of circuit).
It's nice to have a choice.
Steve
JonL
Lunatic Member
I don't frequent other audio sites. I like it here at AK, because the only agenda I notice at AK is the "All Audio - No Attitude" one. We don't always live up to the standard, but most times it's a civil and friendly place. :thmbsp:
