Equalizers anyone?

I use a z-Systems RDP-1, with three of the 4 paramatric controls providing cuts in the low to mid bass (thus similar in a sense to the Rives), the low shelving control for a slight boost below 35hz, and the high shelving control as essentially a program-specific treble control. I wouldn't be without it or something similar (though of course as it is all digital I am restricted to Red Book sources or analog sources digitized with my z-Systems ADC). No downside that I can hear.

My room is quite small, 11 x 13.5 with 8 ft ceiling. All plaster with heavy carpet and pad over hardwood floor on 1x6 subfloor. I'm getting somewhat boomy bass with some sort of echo slap and I can actually hear the room affecting upper mids and lower highs. I can literally hear the room doing these things as the volume gets louder.

I know the PARC is only an analog bass correction system and the Accuphase is a digital all frequency 'tuner'. I've done two types of room treatments and tried every speaker placement possible. However, kind of restricted as to room treatments because of WAF factor. I'm thinking one of the better equalizers could help with my speaker/room interface.

ToM:

For 25 years, I've been a purist. Before that, I used Empire and Audio Control stuff. Big rooms, small rooms, Quads, Genesis, ESL's, B&W 801s,02s,05s..., CATS, Carys, Symphonic Lines...

a few months ago, I got a TACT. When I switch it out, EVERYONE, wants to know what "went wrong". VDH Black Beauty, SME V, Big VPI, Emotive Audio Sira...real good stuff, but no room treatment I've ever tried touched this thing. It even makes up for timing errors which EQing can cause adn exaggerate. This is a discontinued model, so I can only imagine how good their new one is.

I'll never be without a TACT or similar product. I wish it were like the RIVES and I didn't have to go into A-D conversions, but purist equipment set ups DO NOT make purist sound reproduction. You've got to get the room out of the way. Tube traps and other room treatments MAY be the ticket, but they're expensive and more or less hit-or-miss.

This stuff works.

Thanks, Jeff. I am an SET devotee, have used this type of amp for almost 7 years, and use a passive 'pre-amp'. Can't get much more purist than this and I know exactly what you mean - I can more easily hear the problems the room creates with such a high resolution system. I'll also put the TACT on my short list.

The equalizers people shun are exactly what would help a good many of one. I'm using an Audio Control C101 series three that is mandatory in my well treated room with four bass traps. A db or two here and there can make a big difference in overal sound quality that even room treatment can't make up for without taking up most of he room. My room is 12 x 17 and my speakers are very tweakable VMPS speakers that have far more adjustment than most but the equalizer stays. I can switch it in and out and can hear no difference. My system is ARC LS 16, Sony Dvp 555es, modded kenwood 7500 and VMPS Supertower/R Special Editions. Going with one of the newer digital based equalizers has alot going for it but I have a problem with the d/a and a/d conversion. After thirty years without one I decided to try one for fun, an eye opener it was. Any deleterious effects are easily outweighed by the improvement in sound. I hear no extra noise when switching it in and out with my ear upto the speaker. You can do like I did and I bought a cheap Audio Control Octave off of Ebay to try. After the wow I researched to find a very good analog equalizer for my system. I still have that Octave. I'll send it to you for free if you want to try it just for giggles. You're only out return shipping and it weighs little.I think the S/n on it was 110db. You have nothing to lose!