Equalizer in a Hi Fi system

Pete, THANK YOU for your kindest of words!  Yes this whole thing when implemented correctly is a great passion of mine. Using this gear really opens up the too often boxed, sterile sound of the straight signal. I listen to a lot of rock and for this genre I cannot live without high end EQ. It’s that simple!  Yes, the loudness switch on my old Kenwood integrated was a gem as well. I used it ‘on’ while putting a JVC 10 band in the tape loop back in the 80’s, and that is what started my journey that I’ve been on ever since. Many years ago I resurrected that exact 80’s stereo and compared it sonically to the CO Bryston combo. As much as I loved that old stereo, the modern day set up blew it away. Even without a loudness switch!  So I would say to you thank you, and you’re on the right track. I will provide feedback on the Wes next week. Very much look forward to doing so!

Regarding the YouTube videos, they are somewhat helpful, but ultimately one needs the gear in one’s home on one’s system. Yes, my 2 CO’s have that amazing treble dial, with its sparkle and beauty. The Michelangelo did that really really well also. CO could hit deeper and harder with the bass dials though. Without noticeable phase effects/ mids blurring. The MA could do same up to a point. Really great piece of kit it is as well. 

Last comment, Pete, on your comments on how the treble sounded on the YouTube videos of Mike Deming demoing the Charter Oak. Mike used broad bells for all the bands. No shelf filters. My experience comparing the CO with the Avalon and Millennia EQs was that for HF boosts, bell sounds more natural than shelf. I love that the Wes gives you that option on every band, including HF band. I am hoping your YouTube observations with HF with the Wes involved them demoing a treble shelf, not bell. 

Yes i think we are on the same page and i am on the right track as you say.

Hey there is currently a 2018 PEQ-1 similar to yours on Reverb. Serial 1186.

Any good? 

"I am hoping your YouTube observations with HF with the Wes involved them demoing a treble shelf, not bell"

Yes me too! But we will know all answers soon. There was one guy already responded to me who knows the Wes and other popular EQ`s. He says the Wes won`t really do what CO, MA, Maag etc do in the HF, specifically Air band sound, he said it is not that kind of EQ even though it is extended in HF hmmm.

Me personally i could care less what other features the EQ has. If it does not have the best purest HF then it would be 100% deal breaker for me. 

 So yes it will be very interesting what you determine.

BTW i also love the fact the Wes uses 12au7 and 12at7. Two of my special favorite ever signal tubes belong in these families and i bet would sound great in this unit.

If this thing is capable as good or better HF than these other EQ`s then i would be soooo tempted to buy one too it looks crazy!  But as i said i will trust your opinions before dreaming anything silly hahaha.