Rives PARC parametric equalizer

Have either of you tried the PARC set flat and compared it with the bypass function?

Of course, if you have dirty power then adding any powered device may add complications. My experience is that digital devices seem most sensitive to power...

Shardorne

I don't doubt the test results suggested by Rives, but it is not a real useful test to me. You are still passing the signal though 2 extra sets of connectors and introducing an extra set of cables. My system does not sound as lucid and dimensional in the midrange and treble as when totally bypassing (removing) the PARC. This applies both to passive biamping and biwire setups. Whether this signal alteration is bothersome will depend on the overall system.

At the time I was testing this, the PARC was being fed by an Exactpower EP 15A and decent PC - Von Gaylord Chinchilla. I do not believe power quality is effecting my opinion.

My PARC is also fed by Exactpower EP 15A. I dont know if it may affect PARC adversely. Anyway in this configuration, and to my ears, attentuation of bass boom not withstanding, the PARC is not transparent compared to if it is out of the chain. A good PC certainly helps to close the gap though.

There is another thread at the moment that speculates how mid range can affect bass perception ....perhaps it also works in reverse too...

....all the same I am puzzled by what you both report but I don't doubt your observations.

Here is the link

I don't think the article is applicable since I can obtain the bass benfefits of the PARC and avoid the midrange problems just by routing the midrange to physically bypass the PARC. I don't believe the physical bypass is equivalent to the PARC's circuit bypass.