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Stereo EQ in the hifi world ...?

Every now and then (more often than not) I feel like I want to boost/cut some EQ beyond the capabilities of my amp. I know most purist guys will shy away from EQ ....any suggestions on a great stereo EQ that does not generate too much hiss/noise?

Looking at Technics / SAE etc....
thanks

Marantz PM-11S1
Tekton DI SE
Technics SL15
Akai BT500
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wolf_garcia
6,693 posts
 
I've used all sorts of equalizers over the decades and have an SAE in my basement someplace...I use a little two channel graphic EQ in a live mixing rack, and some parametric EQ, but otherwise haven't used one in my hifi rack for decades because hey...they generally SUCK, except for the Loki, which when needed is amazing for all the reasons mentioned, foremost being that it's the only EQ I've encountered (I avoid digital domain EQ for home listening, but that's another topic anyway) that is utterly transparent.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
@wolf_garcia, can you expound on the subject of digital EQ in a HiFi system? Not talking about DEQX, interested in traditional EQ.

mrdecibel
3,063 posts
 
I misquoted. The ME60 ( all 3 versions ( time period of manufacture, I own the 2nd ) have balanced XLR connections. The ME60S did away with the single ended rca jacks. The ME60 can be had for very little ( I have seen them as low as $89. from Guitar Center ). Enjoy ! MrD.
wolf_garcia
6,693 posts
 
I don't like digital EQ at all in my hifi system, as these things just add unnecessary junk into the mix and my ego doesn't allow me to trust whoever decided the filter parameters, and I think a great sounding system should start by sounding great without added EQ. At that point I approve of adding something as transparent as a Loki in for occasional minor adjustment. Please contact me if your system need approval, as I am the approver. Adding 60 little "volume pots on a stick" with a cheap graphic equalizer makes me cringe, but might work for some.
mrdecibel
3,063 posts
 
I have had my Rane in the closet, until recently when another poster on another thread mentioned he replaced his Rane eq after his dac, to drive the power amp, instead of his very expensive line stage preamp, with excellent results. So, I pulled mine out to give it a try  ( the eq, lol ). I went passive about 6 months ago, because I did not need a line stage. Long story short. The Rane eq is pretty fabulous. I did modify my Rane ( extensively dampened the chassis, circuit board and power supply transformer, as I do to most things ), which helped quite a bit. I am currently running my dac into my passive unit, running into the Rane, and into the power amp. Based on the bypass capability of the Rane, with all of the controls set to flat, it is damn close ! I caution anyone to try this going from a dac into the eq into the amp, without another volume control before the eq, because when you bypass the eq, you will get full output into the amp from your source. This is the best test to see how good an eq is. I am not sure I will continue using the Rane, because I am not needing eq for my room, or, my recordings, but I am amazed at how clean the unit is. Enjoy ! MrD.
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