Going back decades, I was taught as a young audiophile that using tone controls was an audiophile sin. So I don't use them in my sound room. But given that most recorded music is equalized and otherwise manipulated in production, and that the whole point of having a good system is to get the sound one wants, it seems silly not to use tone controls if they work for you.
For many, the whole point of having a good system is to hear everything that was recorded in its proper context and as the engineer / producer / artist wanted. The idea that you buy a good system to get the sound you want may lead to troubles. For instance, if all you "want" is to dance and hear the beat, well, then you don't need to worry about soundstaging and delicacy, do you?
If "the sound one wants" is a valid interpretation of the above, and recognizing that within the context of cost limitations, preferences, and room limitations, then there is no need to "flavor", and EQ can be used to mitigate room issues, with varying degrees of success. (Which, BTW, was the reason your Z Systems unit was built.) But, recognize that, over the years, most EQ users have been heavy handed with the controls, thinking that mo bass, mo highs is better bass and better highs - "listen to how clear that cymbal is!" and were totally oblivious to the screeching violins and guitars having more than just the high E string. If that's what you want, fine, it's your system, but don't call it high fidelity.
Also keep in mind that the greater the tone adjustment, the less difference you will hear betweeen recordings. Since recording differences are one of high fidelity's "Holy Grails", you will throw the baby out with the bath water - so to speak.
Ask yourself this....Why haven't you used your current EQ anymore? Or, more to the point, why did you buy it and then not use it?
