Tone Controls?

fuzzjunkie · 27th February 2008, 05:57 PM

Hey All,

First post here, but I have been lurking for a loooooong time. I'm a guitar amp guy, but I figure if I like tubes for guitar, I would like them for HiFi.
Anyway, I've notice through searching and surfing that there don't seem to be any pre's or line stages that have tone controls. Is that taboo in Hifi or am I just missing them? I know they would reduce gain of course, but has anybody adapted them them into the middle of an Aikido stage or other?
Thanks for any pointers to schematics or threads.

Miles Prower · 27th February 2008, 06:55 PM

"Anyway, I've notice through searching and surfing that there don't seem to be any pre's or line stages that have tone controls. Is that taboo in Hifi or am I just missing them?"

Yeah, it's the latest fad in audiophoolery. And you have been missing designs that include tone controls.

Here are several ideas for tone controls: Thermionic Info.

Fred has a complete design that includes tone controls: Studio Preamp.

ray_moth · 27th February 2008, 07:49 PM

At one time, when the frequency balance of signal sources was highly variable, e.g. from AM rado stations and poor tape and gramophone recordings, tone controls were thought necessary.

Today, the quality of signal sources is less variable, so tone controls are largely superfluous. Also, they are said to cause 'smearing' through phase distortion. If they are present, there is usually a tone control defeat switch so they can be excluded from the circuit when not required.

Bottom line, tone controls are not fashionable. As for graphic equalizers, well . . .

27th February 2008, 05:57 PM	#1
fuzzjunkie diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2008	Tone Controls? Hey All, First post here, but I have been lurking for a loooooong time. I'm a guitar amp guy, but I figure if I like tubes for guitar, I would like them for HiFi. Anyway, I've notice through searching and surfing that there don't seem to be any pre's or line stages that have tone controls. Is that taboo in Hifi or am I just missing them? I know they would reduce gain of course, but has anybody adapted them them into the middle of an Aikido stage or other? Thanks for any pointers to schematics or threads.

27th February 2008, 06:55 PM	#2
Miles Prower diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Blog Entries: 6	"Anyway, I've notice through searching and surfing that there don't seem to be any pre's or line stages that have tone controls. Is that taboo in Hifi or am I just missing them?" Yeah, it's the latest fad in audiophoolery. And you have been missing designs that include tone controls. Here are several ideas for tone controls: Thermionic Info. Fred has a complete design that includes tone controls: Studio Preamp. __________________ There are no foxes in atheistholes www.dolphin-hsl.com

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27th February 2008, 07:49 PM	#3
ray_moth diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Jakarta	At one time, when the frequency balance of signal sources was highly variable, e.g. from AM rado stations and poor tape and gramophone recordings, tone controls were thought necessary. Today, the quality of signal sources is less variable, so tone controls are largely superfluous. Also, they are said to cause 'smearing' through phase distortion. If they are present, there is usually a tone control defeat switch so they can be excluded from the circuit when not required. Bottom line, tone controls are not fashionable. As for graphic equalizers, well . . .