Equalization/Tone adjustment?

[Lunaray]

Hello,

I'm using a Rotel RC-995 preamp with a Rotel RB-1080 power amp and the 995 doesn't have any tone controls so the only way I can control or balance the frequency output is to adjust the high/low pots on my speakers, which is a real hassle. I'd like to turn up the high/low pots on my speakers to their maximum and adjust the output through a graphic equalizer. I tried a cheap Radio Shack Graphic Equalizer and it made my system sound like crap (the technician at the store where I bought my Rotel equipment told me it would :nono

Anyone have any suggestions that might help, are there quality equalizers available that won't break my bank account?

Thanks all,
Ray

 

[JBN]

Why use an EQ or tone controls it just degrades the sound! IMO it would be better to treat the room......

 

[RichPA]

Depends somewhat on what counts as "breaking your bank account," but there are quite a few decent choices out there for $100-150 new. To see some of the possibilities, click on the Parts Express banner on the bottom of the page and search for "equalizer."

 

[bowtie427ss]

I tried a cheap Radio Shack Graphic Equalizer and it made my system sound like crap

EQ's are a compromise, they present an electronic solution to acoustic problems, they're "fast food" for your system, they satisfy a craving, are cheap, fast, and easy.

Just my .02 here, but i'd rather spend a thousand on room treatments than 100 on a distortion/noise inducing, signal coloring, chain lengthening analog EQ.

Much depends on your level of involvement with audio and good sound, and your budget. Lotsa folks are very happy with the results they get with a cheap analog EQ, who are any of us to tell them they're wrong?

I used EQ's for many years, then i heard a system using the same speakers i owned at the time, with very similar/compatible electronics, but the owner swore against using EQ in any form and had indeed gone to great lengths to produce an acoustically neutral room. There was no way on earth that my system could ever compare while in the listening room/space i had at the time, it was an eye(ear) opening experience and marked a turning point for my home audio endeavors. These days i play with room tweaks like many folks play with the sliders on their EQ.

Again, just my .02 y'all understand....................................

 

[Pavioni]

Good advice above on focusing on listeng space adjustments first. But, that may not always yield the results you desire, especially if you've an FPO to deal with.

I recommend you try an Audio Control 520B, which has been described as "a thinking man's tone control". Its only got 5 bands per channel, but unlike other 5 band EQ's which have wide Q's, the 520B has 1 octave Q rotary adjustments at 32,60,120 and 15k hz to allow precise adjustments at the frequency extremes. The final band is a 2 Q midrange control, much like the "prescence" control on some vintage gear. The 520B has been out of production for a long time, so you'll need to search on line for one.
They have proven to be very quiet and very durable.

Whatever EQ you might end up with, it should be installed thru a tape monitor or processor loop, not between the pre and power amp.

 

[matel]

Just out of curiousity what are you aiming for with the eqed sound, more presence?

 

[Tapehead47]

I've been using my ADC Mk III as a preamp. I'm not an audiophile. It sounds great to me!