Equalizer in a Hi Fi system

I scheduled a hearing test, at 75, I’m sure they will find something, if nothing else I am guessing one ear slightly different than the other.

Any equalizer that is single band is going to make same adjustments for both speakers.

I advocate Dual Band (L&R separate adjustments), and 31 bands of adjustment

6.8.10.21. 31 bands gives you more precision for both your space and your hearing with no aids in, or aids in. 31 bands gives individual control of 1/3 octaves

I bought/returned one that had no detents at zero position of each slider.

I chose DBX 2231 /dual Channel 31 Band with Detents.

One advantage is that it is 3U 5-1/4" high, thus the sliders are ’taller’, more precision adjusting the sliders.

I went for Chinese Made Clone (identical, dbx are made in Malaysia, dbx manual in the box). They are a metal box with a power supply, printed circuit boards, identical controls, i.e. same parts.

Amazon (unit already in USA, others ship from China, if problem ....)

EMB Professional Sound System EB831EQ Graphic Equalizer/Limiter with Type 3 NR

@vacountryboy the only issue is when an instrument or vocal is emanating from only from the side where your hearing loss is. If there's no or little information from that speaker to begin with turning the balance towards that side or the levels up wouldn't help.Mono recordings would work of course.

I don't regret buying the Lokius.It was always meant to be temporary, an inexpensive way to experiment.I kept it past the return period to continue trying balanced cables and while considering the next step to a pro model. If the API was available in black or silver it would be unobtrusive in a home system. It's the same standard width as most components at 19" and the "ears" aren't obvious. It's nowhere near as attractive as the MacIntosh EQ though.😍

Op amps are bad as a blanket statement is NOT TRUE. My Charter Oak has op amps in circuit and is the best pro studio EQ hardware I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing in my home. And I’ve heard several. It’s all in the implementation and the quality of parts used. Like the old saying goes, the devil’s in the details. 😊🎶

No audio pro would attempt to set up a sound system in a venue without using EQ.  Rooms are different and getting decent response in any room usually requires a bit of EQ.   I use the DSP in Roon and a pro audio 32 band equalizer for other sources that costs far less than that Loki and has more control.   The idea of opamps sounding bad is ludicrous.  The recordings you listen to went through dozens if not hundreds of them unless you are listening to nothing but 50+ year old vinyl.

I use a White Instruments Inc EQ 4100 10 Band/Channel, very transparent see here.

Mike