@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.