At age 78, I am probably one of the oldest "regulars" here at ASR, and my hearing ability has survived remarkably well - up to 10kHz in both ears. Participating at ASR has revived my interest in audio - particularly psychoacoustics and room treatment. But I have also upgraded my system a bit, and currently I am watching for a particularly model of small floor-standing loudspeakers to show up on the used market (Canada and USA). They will replace my excellent Paradigm Atom v6 monitors, but I will wait until I find a pair and order thembefore discussing them.
While I wait for my new speakers to become available, I have been researching and thinking about achieving a Toole "preferable" curve - and other curves to compare with the "preferred" one. Starting with a fairly neutral pair of loudspeakers, the two possibilities are either DSP, or a 3-5 band equalizer, and a bit of room treatment included with either one.
Schitt has an excellent, well reviewed four band EQ - the $150 Loki - that I could use to roll off the treble if necessary. However, I am leaning towards the $325 MiniDSP OpenDRC-DI, which is is a "higher-quality" "all digital solution" unit that works only in the digital domain. (
@Sal1950 uses one and likes it.) Unlike the much less expensive $205 MiniDSP 2x4 HD with its internal ADC and DAC (which did not measure too well), the OpenDRC-DI would leave the DAC duties to my Topping DX7s DAC and its XLR connection to my Classé amplifier, which I prefer.
With the ability to store up to four DSP filter profiles in the OpenDRC-DI, I could play with different profiles - just for fun - because I am no longer seeking reach audio nirvana, and just want to have some fun.
Although the OpenDRC-DI does not have USB audio in, there are a number of USB to AES/EBU or coax interfaces available, several of which have been tested - and/or discussed here at ASR. (I prefer USB for a cleaner signal from a computer.)
I also own a tube amp - a 6.5wpc Musical Paradise model MP-310 Mk3, an EL34 single-ended unit, but I bought it for sentimental reasons - not with the expectation of "incredible" sound. I will also play with REW and a UMIK-1 microphone for a bit more objective evaluation.