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Looking for Graphic EQ suggestions

post #1 of 17
1/27/12 at 10:07am
Thread Starter 
I'm looking for a Graphic Equalizer for one of my 2-channel systems and would like to know if there are any non-used ones available these days. I'd like one with a spectrum analyzer display and lighted sliders at least.
Now before everyone launches into a raging soapbox about it, I do know how to use these things and understand their limitations. I also realize that the spectrum analyzer displays on a graphic EQ are not of much real use, pretty much little color organs. They are really just there more for entertainment than anything, but I also admit I like the little dancing lights, so big deal. A real Spectrum Analyzer costs thousands.
The request for lighted sliders are for these old eyes of mine that only give me trouble.
I also realize a Parametric EQ would be more accurate and defining, but those also take an engineering degree to understand at times and are harder to operate than a Graphic EQ.
The system I want to use it in is a vintage system driving speakers that require an EQ to dial them in with any hope of taming them. The on-board tone controls of the receiver just don't do it, they are too broad a brush. (I'm not one for using an EQ on modern systems as most, if any do not need one in my opinion).

So with that out of the way, are there any EQs currently on market you can suggest? I'd go vintage used, but they are hard to come by and I want to work with these speakers on that system and need an EQ to do it.

Thank you.
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post #2 of 17
1/27/12 at 10:50am
Ebay always has a big selection of EQ's

Check this out.


Good luck
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post #3 of 17
1/27/12 at 10:55am
Thread Starter 
Whoops. Perhaps I should have mentioned that I can't do ebay.
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post #4 of 17
1/27/12 at 12:52pm
Thread Starter 
Are any of the following makes any good?
Audiosource
Technical Pro
Pyle Pro
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post #5 of 17
1/27/12 at 1:49pm
Behringer DEQ2496 - it offers graphic and parametric equalizers with profiles memory, plus spectrum analyzer. You won't find anything better for its price.
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post #6 of 17
1/27/12 at 2:27pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ap1 View Post

Behringer DEQ2496 - it offers graphic and parametric equalizers with profiles memory, plus spectrum analyzer. You won't find anything better for its price.

Just took a look at one and it is very nice indeed! It's also an RTA if you get the mic for it. Nice multi-tasker! However, I'm afraid it's a bit pricey for use in a vintage system that is not audiophile, just good Hi-Fi. That said though I might get that unit down the road someday for my modern system to use as an RTA.
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post #7 of 17
1/27/12 at 3:01pm
Thread Starter 
Did some looking at reviews for Audiosource, Pyle Pro and Technical Pro EQs and it's not good. With the exception of Berhringer, the rest of those EQs are hopeless piles of junk according to many folks who have purchased them and tried to use them. Whether those folks knew how to use an EQ and what to expect was not relevant because most of the complaints were about faulty channels and buttons sticking and poor overall quality.
So I guess I continue to wait for a vintage EQ to come along.
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post #8 of 17
1/27/12 at 4:10pm
I certainly can't argue with having a light show. One reason why I chose the Harman Kardon A402 integrated amp for my first real stereo purchase was the 3-color LED meters. Before there was such a thing as home theater, the dancing lights provided hours of visual entertainment, especially to those smoking herbal cigarettes. Many years later I still have a Citation 19 that has the same display.




HK A402 40Wx2 Integrated Amplifier



Well-Used HK Citation 19 in the Dark

A friend of mine (a herbal cigarette smoker) bought an early Audio Control RTA to pick up where my by that time sold A402 left off:



Audio Control C101

I feel kind of funny advising someone to use LEDs. But from my perspective they capture that special time before those pale blue electroluminescent displays dominated audio equipment. If something with filament light bulbs is more fitting, go for it! If you want something really unique, try a CRT display, like the Crown RTA-2. There are other CRT-based real time analyzers, but most of those are and look like lab test equipment.



Crown RTA-2
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post #9 of 17
1/28/12 at 8:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lost in music View Post

Just took a look at one and it is very nice indeed! It's also an RTA if you get the mic for it. Nice multi-tasker! However, I'm afraid it's a bit pricey for use in a vintage system that is not audiophile, just good Hi-Fi. That said though I might get that unit down the road someday for my modern system to use as an RTA.

Yep. A lot of people on the AVS subwoofer forum get those for smoothing out subwoofer response in HT systems, and then use REW software with the mic to determine how to flatten the room response.
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post #10 of 17
1/29/12 at 3:20pm
Check out a used Yamaha parametric EQ.
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post #11 of 17
1/30/12 at 8:31am
The aforementioned Behringer has several graphic eqs, for as low as $60, with RCA thruput, often available at local Pro music stores. Unfortunately, no spectrum light shows if you can't live without that feature.

cheers,

AJ
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post #12 of 17
1/30/12 at 8:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lost in music View Post

Are any of the following makes any good?
Audiosource
Technical Pro
Pyle Pro

Audiosource makes good quality products. Not sure about the other 2.
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post #13 of 17
1/30/12 at 11:41am
Lo and behold, looks like Audiosource still makes what you are looking for http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=mOd&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&q=Audiosource+eq&gs_upl=6944l8668l0l9501l3l2l0l1l1l0l222l357l0.1.1l3l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1280&bih=649&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=12078717761819583816&sa=X&ei=bfAmT9-uGMPAtge4lpijCw&ved=0CFwQ8wIwAA
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post #14 of 17
1/30/12 at 5:10pm
Check the specs - a lot of seemingly good EQ's add significant distortion to a system. I had a 70's Pioneer EQ sold as an add-on for their excellent SX850 tuner/amp (no lights, jst ten sliders/channel) that was rated a full 10% THD out of the box.

You can definitely hear that much distortion making the quality of amps wasted money. Luckily that Pioneer switched in and out of the line so I kept it inert for it's looks for a while.

Want lightshow? : http://www.austinbazaar.com/Chauvet-...cha-djbank.htm
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post #15 of 17
1/31/12 at 2:19pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by krs View Post

Check the specs - a lot of seemingly good EQ's add significant distortion to a system. I had a 70's Pioneer EQ sold as an add-on for their excellent SX850 tuner/amp (no lights, jst ten sliders/channel) that was rated a full 10% THD out of the box.

You can definitely hear that much distortion making the quality of amps wasted money. Luckily that Pioneer switched in and out of the line so I kept it inert for it's looks for a while.

Want lightshow? : http://www.austinbazaar.com/Chauvet-...cha-djbank.htm

Yes, just like the Sansui SE8 I have that I don't want anymore. It was a distortion machine. That's why it is important I find a good EQ that does not introduce anything foreign
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post #16 of 17
1/31/12 at 5:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lost in music View Post

Yes, just like the Sansui SE8 I have that I don't want anymore. It was a distortion machine. That's why it is important I find a good EQ that does not introduce anything foreign

Than you need digital unit. This excludes all very cheap or vintage units.
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post #17 of 17
2/1/12 at 6:34pm
Look for something with a high signal-to-noise ratio. Over 100 db. The Harman kardon EQ8 is very good. I also like Audicontrol. I've had the Bijou and currently have two Rialto's. Both the Rialto and Bijou are multi-channel eq's. All three are whisper quiet.
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