Blasphemy to use "Tone Controls" on Mc Pre-Amp?

[Charles]

I would like to make a response to 007. Going the equalizer route means that you will never experience the absolute wonder of a truly high resolution high end system. While true that it is supremely easy to waste money in the quest for reproductive perfection, it is also true that this is one instance where there is a rainbow and a pot of gold at its end, i.e. truly beautiful gorgeous amazing sound. You will never experience this tremendously worthwhile experience with tone controls.

The high end is a journey. This journey takes money and lots of it and it takes good hearing and the ability to learn from your mistakes. I am a speaker aficionado because I know that this is where my resources can make the most difference but my system is extremely high rez yet at the same time very forgiving, meaning almost everything sounds really good through it, yet there are vast differences in one recording to the next. If I place an equalizer into my current system, it would be immediately noticeable and not subtle, even with the equalizer "out" it would be noticeable.

Tone controls can be used to tame speakers, recordings, or both. When I was younger I was infatuated with Mac. I had a c29 pre but I lusted for the fully decked out Mac pre and bought a c34. It was so beautiful. It had the compander and all sorts of do dads. Think I had Dalquist DQ10's Luxman direct drive turntable, Mac CD player, and some kind of Mac amp. I noticed rather immediately that the c34 was much noisier. I learned from that experience, never forgot. Dad owned a c22 pre. Everybody at Lawrence Hi-Fi in Birmingham was so excited about the first Mac SS pre, the c24. Dad bought one. It was not good compared to the c22. It has taken Mac many years to be able to match the c22. I could provide many other instances but these two are a few to suggest to you that unfortunately you can "hear" virtually every piece of gear that you own. I'm not suggesting that you not employ equalization but you will never experience the joy and amazement provided by a minimalist high rez high end system and it is possible to put such a system together where virtually every recording sounds good to the ear yet quite different recording to recording.

Currently I am considering a Wilson Audio XVX. The chances are about 50-50. I have already made it clear to my dealer it would be my last speaker and my last piece of equipment with the possible exception of a D1100 upgrade simply because it would be so easy and inexpensive to do. Why? Because I am at my journey's end and I would like to experience the absolute ultimate for a number of years before my hearing goes and before I die. I love the Wilson-Mac sound and now at last I have the cables and cords to match. It's a tremendous temptation for me. Some folks are constantly searching for the sound signature they really like and never find it. This syndrome manifests itself in the purchase of the latest and greatest DAC, amp, cable, cord, etc. It is like an itch. You scratch and it is relieved for a while.

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Charles Updated System
Most recent update: AQ Diamond USB replaces AQ Coffee
Amps: McIntosh 1.25KW’s (3) set on floor on custom made cultured marble slabs
Preamp and DAC: McIntosh D1100
Sources: McIntosh MCD1100 SACD player, MVP881 BR player, MVP851 DVD player, MR87 tuner, Marantz 510LV Laser Disc player, ASUS laptop USB (JRiver Media Center 23)
Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx
Sub-woofer: Wilson Audio Specialties Thor’s Hammer (1) horizontal lie and Wilson Watch Controller (abbr: WC)
Cables main system: Audioquest Wel Signature speaker cables and balanced IC (preamp to amps); Wel Signature AES/EBU balanced digital IC for CD playback; Audioquest Diamond optical (1) for tuner, (1) for BR player, and (1) for LD player for total of (3); Diamond USB cable; McIntosh MCT cable for SACD playback; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords for total of 8); Thunder HC power cord for tuner; cables for DVD player not listed
Cables subwoofer system: Audioquest Redwood speaker cable (1); Wolf balanced subwoofer IC from WC to amp; Wind balanced IC from preamp to WC; Hurricane HC (2) and Dragon HC (1) power cords
Power conditioners: Audioquest Niagara 7000 (1) and Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines with no. 10 wire straight out of fuse box
Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) solid walnut cabinet on large casters; holds all sources and preamp; also, Niagara 7000; 11 feet minimum distance from speakers
Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes enough to turn the room into a virtual anechoic chamber if desired; however, at present my room is significantly reflective giving me a bright, vibrant, dynamic, highly resolving, smooth sound free of harshness and grain and perfect for my taste; zero slap echo; gorgeous midrange
AC: Dedicated to this room only, an ultra-high efficiency and quiet recently installed Ruud split system 3-ton heat pump.
Room (mancave): 40’L x 15.5’W A-frame; max ceiling height 8’ min 5’; wall within wall construction built of 2 x 6’s; built over garage with custom hardwood floor with gym seal with over 40 Lowes stiffened wooden I-beams supporting floor; complete isolation from rest of house