Tone controls

[Grumple]

I started a thread aa few days ago about needing a DAC with analogue inputs and dsp etc. However, I've come to realise that what I really want is tone controls and nothing more. I've got a DAC and a head amp etc I just want to whack the bass up, or nail the highs every once in while. And I don't want to have to run all my analogue devices through a pc in order to do it. Unfortunately tone controls seem to be almost impossible to find, unless one wishes to risk something labelled as "audiophile" or some other red flag. Can anyone recommend something that would fit the bill? Either a digital or analogue device is fine, so long as it is easily adjustable and readily available (the Schiit Loki for example is not currently available in the UK).

 

[Grumple]

Behringer DEQ2496. Think I may have answered my own question. Does anyone have experience with this unit?

 

[Berwhale]

Have you considered the JDS Labs Subjective 3? There is some discussion and links here: JDS Labs - Subjective 3 | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum

I ordered my JDS Labs Atom direct from the US with a UK power supply.

 

[sergeauckland]

I have a DEQ2496 in my system, but it's not a tone control insofar as settings are through menus and making changes tedious compared with turning a knob. Fine as a set up and leave item, which is how I use mine.

If you're up for some DIY, you could build yourself a simple bass treble tone control using a Velleman kit, Works fine, in my system, or you could use an analogue preamp, like a Quad 34 or 44 which also gives you excellent filtering, mono and balance controls.

S

 

[Vini darko]

I've been considering the schiit loki for a while now. Just looked up the berhinger wow that is quite a gadget

 

[restorer-john]

Just buy a proper amplifier.

 

[ahofer]

..or a DAC with,EQ,dynamic loudness, and customizable, knob-assigned treble and bass controls:

https://www.rme-usa.com/adi-2-dac.html

 

[RayDunzl]

Behringer DEQ2496. Think I may have answered my own question. Does anyone have experience with this unit?

I have had one for a long time, and use it with digital in and out.

It gives you a 31 band graphic EQ with adjustable bandwidth, and parametric filters if you need that, and can give different settings for the left and right channels, and more.

It works, measurements correspond to the settings I've tested, since it is all common math operations on the digits moving through it.

 

[levimax]

I just built one of these https://sound-au.com/project97.htm. I had a system that went direct from DAC to amp(s) and when I built this I wired it with some relays so I could completely bypass it in order to avoid the extra distortion and noise. What I found is I pretty much always use the pre-amp... "real" volume control and "real" tone control knobs operating without any digital latency are so much nicer than computer sliders and the like. It also has some gain which can come in handy if using room correction DSP. One thing I don't think everyone takes into account is if you use DSP room correction and DSP tone controls it is very easy to run out of gain in the digital realm. Some things lend themselves to an analog solution and I think tone controls are one of them (with the only issue being the pots).

 

[Katji]

A sudden reset to reality.

Just buy a proper amplifier.
View attachment 113226

 

[Wombat]

The DEQ2496 can store multiple EQ settings for ready recall.

 

[RoyB]

Schiit loki....easy peasy....

 

[escape2]

Schiit loki....easy peasy....

As he mentioned, not available in his country.

 

[mhardy6647]

Schiit loki....easy peasy....

As he mentioned, not available in his country.

oops. not easy peasy at all, but rather a hard canard.

 

[Wombat]

Plus, the DEQ2496 does dynamic loudness.

 

[Grumple]

Schiit loki....easy peasy....

If only!!

 

[Grumple]

A sudden reset to reality.

Lol. If I had the money for it I'd buy a mega preamp and have it do everything, alas. I'm blaming covid.

 

[Grumple]

I have had one for a long time, and use it with digital in and out.

It gives you a 31 band graphic EQ with adjustable bandwidth, and parametric filters if you need that, and can give different settings for the left and right channels, and more.

It works, measurements correspond to the settings I've tested, since it is all common math operations on the digits moving through it.

Excellent news, thank you! Looks like we have a winner!

 

[Grumple]

I just built one of these https://sound-au.com/project97.htm. I had a system that went direct from DAC to amp(s) and when I built this I wired it with some relays so I could completely bypass it in order to avoid the extra distortion and noise. What I found is I pretty much always use the pre-amp... "real" volume control and "real" tone control knobs operating without any digital latency are so much nicer than computer sliders and the like. It also has some gain which can come in handy if using room correction DSP. One thing I don't think everyone takes into account is if you use DSP room correction and DSP tone controls it is very easy to run out of gain in the digital realm. Some things lend themselves to an analog solution and I think tone controls are one of them (with the only issue being the pots).

Looks perfect. However, if you could see my ham fisted attempt at making something as mundane as a cup of coffee you may well reconsider the suggestion. Sometimes in life we have to accept our limitations. One my many limitations is being able to wield a screwdriver without poking an eye out.

 

[JeffS7444]

DEQ2496 is a great bargain, but as others have pointed out, not particularly handy for frequent tweaking.

Here's an old school, fully featured preamplifier. No balanced i/o, but nicely done, made in the UK, and yes, I've built one myself.
http://www.signaltransfer.freeuk.com/preamp.htm