Amps with no tone controls

Am I right in thinking that these will be rather like the sound of a midfi amp with the source direct button pressed? I always find the sound with this button pressed a bit thin and lacking in bass slam unless the volume is really turned-up loud. Is this the case? I'm interested in upgrading but most expensive amps don't seem to have tone controls and I'd hate to get a thin sounding amp as I tend to listen at more moderate levels. Advice appreciated!

 

Given the amp you're thinking of, forget any notion of "thin and lacking in bass slam".

 

a well balanced amp doesn't need them, they're just another thing in the signal path

 

hmmm, i've always been dubious about this. in the real world tone controls are useful to cure gross problems with speakers / rooms / recordings etc. however they can be implemented badly very easily. there are some new amps with tone or slope controls whihc sound great without them but even better when they are used sparingly.
cheers


julian

 

If you prefer a tilted frequency response then yes, the chances are you'll find a flat one rather thin-sounding - you could always think about adding external equalisation if you like, though you might find you get used to a different balance surprisingly quickly.

I'd second Isaac's suggestion though that the amp you're thinking of is fairly capable

 

Either way, the obvious answer is to get one in for a listen if its possible?

 

I'd buy "the amp I'm thinking of" without hearing it just due to my fondness for "their" lower range products and all the good reviews. Don't seem to be many about though so my question is about other amps that don't have tone controls...

 

Well, in general if you're prepared to spend that much money, you should also be prepared to sort out the room (if just in terms of layout) to make tone controls unnecessary.

 

What is the amp you are looking at?

 

Hmmm... wee bit tricky to comment on other amps when we (at least I) don't know the reference you appear to have (not heard?) in mind

 

I've not heard the Nad S300 but would take a chance on it considering how impressed I usually am with Nad products and considering the blinding reviews. That's the amp I'm interested in but as none are about I'm having to look elsewhere.....

 

Neither my control pre amp (used for my turntable, tuner and PC) or my integrated amp (for everything else and of course speaker output) have no tone controls and the sound is perfectly good. It is just another thing in the signal path.

 

Hey hey! Just sourced a brand-new S300 in Germany and bought it on Ebay, the winning bid was just over £900. Shipping brings it to nearer £1050 though but still, I hope this will prove to be a good buy....providing it gets to me in one piece! I look forward to its arrival!

 

I don't have an issue with tone controls persay. The problem arises when you are constantly adjusting them for each CD, this basically kills musical enjoyment.

But then so does nad, so whatever!

 

coat rack is over in the corner gary

 

i'd go along with this school of thought i think

 

i agree... my audiolab pre amp has no tone controls to speak of.. and it sounds superbly balanced with deep and extremely powerfull bass up to clean and crisp treble. Ive never found the temptation to alter that sound in any way.

if a CD is bass light... i just live with it.

 

Thing I find is that tone controls don't do much that's useful. Room eq needs precisely targeted gains and cuts which tone controls will never do... If you want more bass, move your speakers closer to the wall.

 

I'm sure you'll love it. Great piece of gear. But the weak point is the packaging which is definitely too light for the beast (weighs close to 30 kg). Surely the sender is aware of that and will double-package it.

Let us know how you like it.

 

Or alternatively, get some speakers with a decent sized bass driver - 12" is the minimum need to give satisfaction