who wants tone controls on your next preamp?

I also have a carver C-9 sonic hologram generator, and a DBX-3bx. I have a kenwood GE1100 equalizer with reverb. They have not been used in ages. I don't know why anyone would ever use such things. Back in the day, I thought they were "cool". Lots of blinking lights and such. Always a hit at patys when I was a kid. Now, in the real world, why would you want them, or tone controls? Does it change the sound? Yes. Is better, IMO no. Give me the shortest path, with no coloration, or change, that I can get. I wouldn't pay a penny for any of it. I don't think any of the above mentioned items are worth the cost of shipping them.

Zydo, equating antiquated devices like those you mentioned with what can be accomplished today with modern tone controls and computer EQ is like comparing the performance of a Ford model T to a Ferrari.

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Given the choice, I'd choose to have them provided the circuit could be bypassed completely if desired.

My preamp allows me to have different sound levels for left and right speakers, does that qualify as a tone control?
My second system is based around a Yamaha CR-1000 receiver, with base, presence and treble controls plus some filters. It has more things to fiddle with than I care for but for the room and adaptability it is great.

It is a fact that at low volume our ears are less sensitive to low frequencies hence the loudness compensation. And early CDs transferred from LP mix were too bright. I'm not a purist. Sometimes they could be handy. Interesting and provocative question!