Equalizer in a Hi Fi system

Relentless fragile egos around here...note to self: I really have to try to be more gentle. The Max I have is utterly quiet, but Schiit warns about locating these things near gear with transformers (I worried about that as I have a Bryston Bit-15 with its huge Piltron transformer, but all is well with the Max) ...I also haven't heard any hiss from it when testing higher frequencies so maybe I'm just lucky. I have a couple of Lokis also and they're very quiet. Results may vary I suppose but the Max is superb in my rig. 

Thanks @wolf_garcia   I appreciate the words. I may have touch of fragile ego. It’s possible. But I am passionate about listening and love to share my thoughts, for what they’re worth, about EQ in high end home audio. And yes, I know I talk too much. My wife tells me all the time!🤣

@tlcocks Sorry, if Revive audio themselves cannot tell you why their unit is finicky with certain cables, then I certainly cannot.... not without a schematic, which I'm certain they would deny me!  They even put tape seals on the lid screws so if you take the lid off, you might void the warrantee.  I took the lid off anyway!   Do your 'custom' cables have the ground connected from end to end?   Some cables have the ground terminated at only one end (like a ground lifter) which is NOT a Pro thing to do.     

As for your assessment of Skyline vs. PEQ1... I very much agree about the superior flexibility of the PEQ1's design... I just wish my unit had sounded better.  Let's also keep in mind the PEQ1 new, cost exactly TWICE as much as the Skyline!  That makes Skyline a relative steal for what it is.    

A note on the Lokius eqs.... they are not noisy, but they are more 'sensitive' due to legit L-C circuitry.  They use real inductors for each band, and they will more easily pick up stray magnetic fields.  You'd think Revive Audio could learn a thing or two from Schiit, on providing BOTH balanced and unbalanced I/O.  

I have a very fragile ego. I'm going to go cry in a glass of Tequila. 

a brand called Golden Age Project EQ81.It's designed to distort and ad noise to simulate older recordings played through older tubed equipment.

@jtcf That's called an EQ81 because they are emulating the sound (and circuitry) of the classic Neve 1081 4-band eq.  This is a 70's era Neve console EQ  designed for mixing and tone shaping.  This EQ has color & personality, and is really meant for mixing.  It's not super transparent and does not emulate a tube eq.  It's solid-state all the way.  I've got a Great River EQ-2NV which is also a "Neve-alike" eq.  It sounds amazing for shaping individual instruments and buses.  The high & low shelfs do make good bass & treble controls for a stereo mix.  The mid bands have a bit of color, but are a bit narrow for a stereo mix.  Look up the original Neve 1081... it's beautiful!  I've used Neve preamps, but not the 1081.