Tone control

[marlin]

Why is it that a lot of higher end pre-amps offer no tone control?

 

[MiTT]

Why is it that a lot of higher end pre-amps offer no tone control?

Marlin, most don't offer such controls because they are contrary to the notion of the ideal standard of all inline components being "straight wire with gain". Tone controls are essentially filters and all filters introduce some sonic compromises that most "High End" manufacturers are not willing to accept in their products.

 

[amey01]

Why is it that a lot of higher end pre-amps offer no tone control?

Because they destroy sound quality.

And because the limited adjustment they offer is not enough to overcome they huge range of possible probelms that they could fix. On the other hand, a fully parametric 1/60 octave equaliser over the full frequency range would be beneficial, but that would destroy sound quality even more, so it's best to treat the room before the precious music signal.

 

[ralflar]

Also, good components do not need tone controls. On lesser components these controls are often used to compensate for a lack of treble. No such need exists for good kit in an acoustically adequate room. Poor recordings, on the other hand, require a lot more than a twist of the treble or base knob to sound good.