Equalizer in a Hi Fi system

I've been using the Max between the preamp and power amp and having bypassed it by simply unhooking it to see if it had any impact on the signal, I determined that it doesn't degrade anything. It's a great sounding piece of gear, works beautifully, the remote is really fun, and I suggest to anyone interested in system EQ to try one of these. YOUR ears will let you know what's what. I've rejected well regarded items here and there when the reality of what they do doesn't square with other opinions or reviews, but the Max hold up. It's somewhat more subtle than other digital or analog "pro" EQs I've used (and owned) over many decades in the pro studio, live music, and audio geek worlds, in that if you "dime" any frequency it adjusts an appropriate amount and doesn't pull too hard..seemingly less dramatic than studio EQs I've used. Also it's important that "chicken head" knobs are applied or your not gonna have as much fun.

@wolf_garcia @tlcocks I was reading and looking at videos of the the Mcintosh MQ112 and really do like it very much. I’m very interested in this now. Not too bad for 3k. Looks very simple to use also.And it is 8 bands as of 6 for the Max.  It came out this last month also I believe. I’d really like to demo it if that possible before I make the purchase.Does anyone know more about this ? Also it looks like it’s a much better made / high end gear  unit also than the Max. Well after all it is Mcintosh. This will be my first ever Mc if I get it. Wish it had a remote thought. Can’t have everything I guess.

MQ112 very interesting looking!  Would love to hear. Don’t like one thing though. Looks like second to last filter, lower treble, is 3K. That’s really upper mids. Would prefer 5K, or even 8K there

Last nite I had the Fontaines playing on my Fostex as opposed to my HEKse because less sound leak. Wife working next to me. She loves Fontaines. She said let me listen. Previously she’s only heard the Fostex through the Chord Mojo2. Then she wasn’t impressed. She’s got a good ear and picked up on the annoying treble spike at about 6K.  This time she heard through the Headamp Charter Oak. She raved about the sound, stating if sounded amazing. I asked her how the treble sounded this time. She said amazing. Now you tell me with a straight face that air band treble lift on digital sounds better than analog. Yeah, right!

@wolf_garcia , your experience with LM jives with mine. Our observations are not discrepant. I just love the ability to dial in more treble that’s top shelf treble at will. Gonna say though…bass lifts are better also with my CO. Not just treble. Again, I’d say about the LM that it’s very transparent, bands are more narrow, it’s less powerful than pro studio, and in simply words the treble is less airy and beautiful than some pro gear.