EQ Question (jumping in with both feet)

I'd like to fiddle around with the tonal sound of my system, but I'm stumped as where to start. Fifteen years ago (when last I was serious about all this), the answer, as I recall, was to pick up a graphic equalizer and "have at you!". Now that everything's gone digital I can barely FIND equalizers, let alone anything that will work with digital equipment.

Google searches revealed a Behringer unit that doesn't seem to be produced now. Everything else looks to be for pro audio, which I'm not sure will even work.

My receiver is still VERY basic, a Technics SA DX950 (3 years old, Dolby AC3). I'm planning on an upgrade to that this summer, something in the $1500 range (pioneer elite stuff is in the lead, but who knows...) but was wondering if I could do something in the interim.

My primary aim right now is to warm up my Boston Acoustic VR3s when I run them in 2-channel stereo with CDs. I love the imaging and response, but want more control over how they sound.

Apologies for not lurking more and talking less... I've found some stuff that's looking about right (again, seems to be Behringer stuff), but don't want to buy something that simply won't work.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

January 21, 2006 - 2:52pm

Kal Rubinson

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Re: EQ Question (jumping in with both feet)

For $1500, you can buy an AVR with autoEQ that will handle all your channels. The Behringer units are most 2 channel and, with the current state of formats/interconnects, will require an additional A/D and D/A processing.

Kal

January 21, 2006 - 5:16pm

Jim Tavegia

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Re: EQ Question (jumping in with both feet)

Kal is right on. Check out this link to one choice, the Marantz SR8500 with room calibration. You should find it in your price range.
http://us.marantz.com/Products/296.asp

I have been looking at their integrated stereo amp the PM7200, wondering just how good those first 25 Class A watts are? Might be decently magical for $500.

January 21, 2006 - 9:28pm

RGibran

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Joined: Oct 11 2005 - 5:50pm

Re: EQ Question (jumping in with both feet)

Room calibration and room equalization are two different things. Almost all current AVRs' come with auto room calibration. Very few include room equalization but that is quickly changing. Denon leads the way in this trend. Yamaha has there own version as well. The specs on the Marantz would also indicate there is no bass management on that unit, a joke at $1,500.00.

January 22, 2006 - 6:21am

Jim Tavegia

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Re: EQ Question (jumping in with both feet)

Gee, your right, Marantz stinks. Denon rules the world. Good for you. I'm gone.

January 22, 2006 - 7:03am

Kal Rubinson

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Re: EQ Question (jumping in with both feet)

Quote:
Gee, your right, Marantz stinks. Denon rules the world. Good for you. I'm gone.

Actually, I had the Denon 3806 in mind when I posted. I believe there might be others with real EQ (Yamaha, Pioneer, etc) but I am not familiar with their models and pricing.

Kal

January 22, 2006 - 1:38pm

dscottj

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Re: EQ Question (jumping in with both feet)

Good to see I can start a minor flame up with my first post .

I had a feeling my best bet would be something built into the receiver, but I wanted to poll the 'net to make sure I wasn't missing some component somewhere.

Auto room balance AND eq... boy, we've come a long way from my old ADC/BSR 20-band EQ with spectrum analyzer. I can remember spending hours with that pink noise generator and the dinky little mic, and I didn't even like the way it sounded at the end!

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