My sacrilegeous question to audiophiles out there regarding parametric equalizer.


I recently upgraded my stylus to a 2m bronze and am enjoying it thoroughly. My question to the community is how many audiophiles use equalizers or tone controls to enhance the bass and detail? Thinking about getting a parametric equalizer. Any thoughts?
tubelvr1
I would not personally use an equalizer......I consider it analogous to altering the colors of an original painting.
I think this analogy is misleading. An 'original painting' is a work of art. A musical performance is a work of art, but a recording of it is a reproduction, which may be excellent or poor, but never the same, or as real. The more apt analogy would be "altering the colors [and dynamics et al] of an art reproduction."

I had a parametric eq, a pretty good one, didn't seem to alter the sound except as I intended (through Quad 63s, fairly revealing of such things). Parametrics are more 'audiophile approved' than graphic eq's, largely because of all the cheap ones that came with rack-systems, usually tuned in a 'smiley face' with absurd boost to bass and treble. Even the good ones were 'octave' equalizers (10-band) which could only alter large swaths of the music.

I had a DBX 20/20 graphic which also 'reads' the output (your speakers + room-effects) compares it to the input signal, and adjusts so what you hear is identical to the original signal. It was good, but gave me little control: I couldn't adjust to what I wanted to hear.

I found my parametric to be similarly limiting: only three frequency 'bands' I could affect.

The best I had were pro 1/3 octave graphic eq's (31-band): two of them, one for each channel. Adjustments had more selectivity, subtlety and finesse.

I haven't tried the newer DSPs. The early ones were awful.

I see no point in being "faithful to the recording"; I prefer "faithful to the music" and yes, I'll be the 'decider'. But that's just my opinion. 


I’m afraid you misunderstood my post, maybe you should re-read it. I never said nor did I assert that components are equalizers. I said “tone controls” which was in response to your pretentious statement “my el34 amplifier has no tone controls”

My amplifier not having tone controls is not a "pretentious statement"....it’s a fact. And of course I realize that vintage tubes sound better than the Russian and Chinese junk made now. My conception of an equalizer is a separate component; that’s what the OP was asking about,"professor." Your statement that "every part of a system" is a tone control I do not consider worth addressing. Every part (component) of a system affects sound quality down to the type of resistors and capacitors used in the units. All of those are fixed qualities, unless you go to trouble of changing them. I don’t define any of that as an "equalizer" but if you do, go for it. I addressed the OP query in a manner I considered appropriate. You apparently don’t see it that way. I’m not gonna cry about it but I’m not going to play your game of semantics either. Cheers.
P.S. An "equalizer" is a "tone control," professor.

I especially like your blanket recommendation to just get some vintage small signal tubes and you wont need tone controls (thats exactly what they are). How do you know this? How do you know what sound the OP is looking for? What do you know about his room? Is it treated? How are his speakers are set up? Where Is his listening position in the room? Poor first reflections or standing bass modes (if this is the case) will not be solved by your magic tubes.

YOU need to go back and read; what I said was if you get good tubes you won't need an equalizer, not tone controls. All your other manic questions are irrelevant to what the OP asked about. I have no idea what his room is or what sound he's looking for. Do you always micro analyze what someone says? Do you like bananas? Do you always obey the speed limit? Do you understand? What did you have for breakfast yesterday? Did it sound good? Hilarious 

Only someone who is not an audiophile would ask such a question. Do you want to hear the band, or do you want to be in the band? Maybe the bass drums not loud enough; "Think I'll just turn it up a bit". "I do not like the tone and timbre of that clarinet, let me tweak it a bit; now that sounds just right".

Oh, the marvelous things one can do with an equalizer.