A good start Broadstone. Now that you've experienced what EQ can do and learned the basics, you can move up to a better EQ.
Hearing issues and signal attenuation
In other forums I've discussed my age related hearing issues and how I might compensate using mechanical controls. Since those posts I've tried hearing aids but, because of the discomfort caused by them, I gave them up. My problem in a nutshell is that, although my hearing lost is bilateral starting at about 1500 Hz, the left ear hearing is somewhat more compromised. This, of course, results in my perception that center stage is off center to the right side especially at higher frequencies. I just installed new speakers (Martin Logan Ethos replacing Odysseys) which seems to have worsened this problem.
The last time I brought this up the suggestions included installation of a high quality active or passive equalizer, changing my listening position and using hearing aids. The EQ approach makes the most sense but in reviewing the several equalizers suggested I found them to be a little out of my price range. I have been considering using a good L pad to attenuate the signal to the right speaker but because the problem seems mostly related to the higher frequencies, I'm afraid that simply reducing volume to the right side will result in more heavily weighting lower frequencies to the left.
Anyway, it might be time to bite the bullet and start looking again into purchasing an equalizer. Based on the following setup I would appreciate all suggestions:
Shanling CD100, Nova Audio Nova preamp and Nova 220 amp.
The last time I brought this up the suggestions included installation of a high quality active or passive equalizer, changing my listening position and using hearing aids. The EQ approach makes the most sense but in reviewing the several equalizers suggested I found them to be a little out of my price range. I have been considering using a good L pad to attenuate the signal to the right speaker but because the problem seems mostly related to the higher frequencies, I'm afraid that simply reducing volume to the right side will result in more heavily weighting lower frequencies to the left.
Anyway, it might be time to bite the bullet and start looking again into purchasing an equalizer. Based on the following setup I would appreciate all suggestions:
Shanling CD100, Nova Audio Nova preamp and Nova 220 amp.
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- 31 posts total
Lowrider, I will do as you suggest and have started looking into the pro EQ's and how to incorporate one into my system. I guess, though, that my hope for a simple solution is dashed. I was thinking that an EQ would have simple RCA in and out connections like in the old days but it appears that's not going to happen. In reading a couple of articles on how to use a pro audio EQ with a home stereo setup, it isn't a very straightforward operation. I don't mind expending some effort but having to solder resistors across connections and add an an external DAC, etc. seems a bit more involved than it should be. Don't get me wrong, I'll do whatever it takes but is there something out there that will help me do this that is a little less demanding? |
Ok, I spoke too soon re the problem using the pro audio EQ and the difficulty using it with RCA interconnects. I called Guitar Center and it turns out that they have adapter cables that allow connection to and from XLR and RCA. I'm living so far in the past.... Those 2 articles that I read that described the need to modify the inputs by soldering resistors into the circuit must be for some other application. |
You are correct, Sir. Look for a 1/3-octave EQ. Since you are staying in the analogue domain, you may not even hear any noise being introduced due to your hearing issues. This is an example of the type of EQ I am referring to... DBX "RAIN" also makes nice analogue gear. |
I'm looking into the various pro EQ's like the DBX 321 but my experimentation just suffered a temporary hit; there will be a Christmas tree partly in front of my right speaker for awhile. I do have another question, though. In setting this up is there any reason to consider using an "unbalanced" connection from the EQ? |
- 31 posts total