2. amps-preamps
  3. 986669323

To tone control or not to tone control

I recently stepped up to a Conrad Johnson PFR preamp to mate with my CJ MF-2200 amp (200 wpc). Was previously running an Adcom GTP-450 pre/tuner which had bass/treble controls which help to compensate for those recordings which are recorded poorly. Though the CJ PFR sounds really good on most of my cd's there are some of my favorite artists whose recordings are really pitiful. Is there a good tone control which I can use on the PFR to use for these poor recordings? Is there a way to connect both preamps to one system. I do have an older cdp that I could connect to the Adcom preamp for the poor cd's and use the main system for the good stuff. I have also thought of trying a subwoofer to help with filling in the bottom end since most of the poor recordings are R&B and Rock N'Roll and that is where they seem to be lacking the most. The rest of my system consists of a Sherwood Newcastle 980 cdp and Infinity RS 5000 speakers (12 yrs old) and next to be replaced. As always your help is appreciated
128x128artemus_5
phd
1,008 posts
 
To correct the model number I referred to above is a GFP-565 preamp. Again my point is this. The GTP-450 sounded much more open and musical than the GFP-565. I always thought the GFP-565 sounded dark. The GTP-450 is a newer model but was the 450 a mistake? I don't know but when connected to a quality power amp, the sound is remarkable & dynamic. Here is a preamp that can do all music very well. Connected to an Adcom power amp the sound quality is mediocre at best. I tried this preamp on a McCormack 0.5 Rev A & the sound produced was stunning & satisfying, still
maintainig the huge soundstage the McCormack was capable of. For the price this is proof that a preamp retailing new for Five hundred dollars in the early nineties can hold its own against the big boys. Most reviews done on this pre have come from newbees that have no idea what good sound quality is. I don't necessarily seek out a preamp with tone controls but the fact that this fine piece for its price sounds good with them could be a plus!
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Because of their bad reputation, and to satisfy purists, tone controls of many preamps can be bypassed. So it is no harm to have them, (and when no one is looking, you might like to use them).
phd
1,008 posts
 
Aside from tone controls, many high end manufacturers are responding to audiophiles by producing gear that streaches the soundstage even further, extracting ever nuance of detail, pushing the limits of sound quality to the max & along the way something comes up missing. This can be a good thing for some audiophiles who want to marvel at the amount of detail that is being produced. Some of these components, not all, offer a sterile laboratory sound & lose musicality and begs to ask the question "Where did the music go?" When I judge a piece of gear, I of course want detail & transparency but beyond that I want to say that I was emotionally satisfied with what I was hearing, that the gear brouht me closer to the music. Also I want gear that sounds excellent with all types of music, not just jazz & classical, whick I love as well.
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