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No category for this response: "yes," to compensate for the ears' characteristics when listening at low volume levels I turn the bass up significantly and the treble up slightly.

They are modified out of the signal path on the AirTight pre-amp at home. That system definitely doesn't need their input. I never use them on the Classik based system at work. Frankly, it is background. However, I think we will use them on the NAD L40 based system we just put in at Skydive Dallas because of the expectations of the non-audiophile group involved in the "listening sessions" there.

Easy one

Haven't had tone controls since having a Kenwood integrated more than 20 years ago (and I didn't use them then).

Every so often some older recordings need a bit of compensation then they are handy!

NO TONE CONTROLLS , BUT I DO HAVE A BALANCE CONTROL, AND YES I HAVE USED IT.

I always leave the "direct" switch on. Have never even used the tone controls to even see what they would do. Have never even thought about using them. Now I am curious!

Properly recorded music played back on good equipment correctly set up do not need any "help".

Used to use them when I 'ad 'em, but I'm now told by those who know that they are pants. Actually modern balancing/mastering is very good. Only old vinyl really needs it. Any one knwo how to filter out the brass vibrato on Melodyia releases?

What bass and treble controls????

Isn't that what the recording engineer does? Why should I!

Thankfully, I don't have any. The last thing I need is something else to tweak. B Burke

only to add trebble on a few of my old records

I use a loudness control to compensate for my prefered lower listening sound levels. Too loud for long hurts my ears.

I don't, but I often wish that I did. I'd like to really juice my bass up. (Just kidding.) But, truth be told, there are so many recordings that are musically good but sonically horrible that could benefit. Of course, the tone controls need to be useable, and designed to be switched off when not needed. But, now as I think of it, there is another idea that might be even better—the recording companies making decent recordings for a change.

I use the "direct" input on my preamp, so the only active control is the volume.

Tweakin' at the tweakers' ball...

I just dont need them. Not as though they mess the sound up. But I think good equipment shouldnt need tone controls. This goes for a whole system not just preamp or integrated. I have had to use them before when i had lesser equipment but no longer! And never again!

Nope. I want my sound the way God, the artist and the recording engineer wanted it. If you buy good components, you shouldn't need the extra knobs.

I very seldom move the controls from the flat position, but on some sources it is helpful esspecialy when changing from digital to analog

Why mess things up. If the setup is optimised- no need to temper with controls.

Only barbarians use tone controls.

Not one to mess with the Bass/Treble for regular listening, but the Loudness control has proved to be very useful in taking the 'edge' off of sounds when you just want background music.

I prefer to spend thousands of dollars on cables. What can I be thinking?

I have almost always found it to be needed with most cd`s,to bad most preamps now have none!!!!!

For music all the knobs stay at 12 o'clock. Before I got a subwoofer I would turn up the bass for when the system was used for movies, but not for music

Last week's question asked if we listened to radio programs via the Internet. I responded that I was a faithful listener of Rush Limbaugh via the 'net. Of course, since Rush is a conservative and most of your writers (particularly Mr. Fremer) are of the liberal ilk, my response was not printed. I really didn't think that Stereophile was part of the leftist media elite, but I've changed my mind. While I'll keep my subscription (and might even renew despite the downsizing of your mag), I will no longer participate in your slanted votes!

I am dreaming of a TACT digital equalizer or preamp/equalizer combo, though!

I don't have tone controls on my preamp and I don't want them.

I don't have any on my preamp,but I do use a graphic equaliser between my preamp and recorders(tape and cd)to make up for recording deficiencies