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Is there such a thing as audiophile parametric eq?

My listening room is of awful dimensions (close to 1 x 2 x 4) and I've used treatments and bass traps to get the imaging and bass response to be very good. Yet there are some frequencies especially in the mid-bass that are very loud compared to everything else. I was considering buying a Behringer DEQ2496 after hearing rave reviews of what it can do in a home listening environment. Then I found out that the SPDIF I/O is optical and that threw a wrench into that plan. What I need is either a very good digital eq that uses RCA SPDIF or a very good analog PEQ. Any suggestions?
jlambrick
jlambrick OP
138 posts
 
Good suggestions and definitely audiophile quality but unfortunately out of my price range. Is there anything in the several hundred dollar range? I'm thinking if I could notch out 3 or 4 trouble frequencies, I'd be set as long as the clarity of everything else was preserved.
restock
831 posts
 
First of all optical is not all that bad if you use the glass toslink cable. ALso, best is to use a good DAC after the Behringer, although you would be surprised how good the DAC in the Behringer is.

Also, the Behringer does allow coaxial inputs via the
jlambrick OP
138 posts
 
Restock, I lost the last part of your message. Maybe what I want to do is possible with this unit after all. Ideally, I'd like to put the eq between my CD transport and DAC. I've modified a CD player using a reclocking circuit to provide a VERY low jitter transport and I've hotrodded an MSB dac to be very good as well. But they are both coaxial. Are you saying I could use the Behringer after all?
cwlondon
1,210 posts
 
Restock

Can you explain how to use a DAC after the Behringer?

Thank you.
restock
831 posts
 
Sorry about the lost message ...here's another try:

In addition to the optical input the Behringer has AES/EBU digital inputs/outputs. These should work with an XLR to RCA adapator for coaxial in/out. Yes, I think you should be able to use it. Note however that the Behringer will do some sample rate conversion (SRC). Overall I am not sure whether more jitter will be introduced by the Behringer (even probable).

As for the DAC after the Behringer: You can use the digital out (optical or XLR) to connect to a DAC and do the DA conversion in a higher quality DAC. As mentioned above, I am not sure whether there will be some SRC step in addition to the digital DEQ that might have negative effects.

As I mainly listen to analog, I hardly use the DEQ, but I was surprised how well it worked when running it into a Lavry DAC. Also I keep it around to do room measurements, integrate the subwoofer better, etc...

Overall a good component at a very reasonable price.

Hope this helps.

Rene
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