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Equalizer separates

outrun

outrun

Member
I'd like to add an EQ (preferably with spectrum analyzer display) to my stack. Any specific models I should try to search for? Should I go for modern or vintage? Are they just waste of money or actually usable, or at least fun?

Budget: looking for a bang-for-buck (no trash but no audio engineer level either)

Anyone owning one, please do share your experience how are you using them.
 
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outrun said:
Budget: looking for a bang-for-buck (no trash but no audio engineer level either)
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Budget the spectrum analyzer might be more gimmick and based on line input/output. Audio engineer would be an analyzer based on a calibrated microphone.
 
outrun said:
I'd like to add an EQ (preferably with spectrum analyzer display) to my stack. (...)
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What does that stack consist of? Just asking to avoid possible disappointment. Because modern receivers and integrated amps often enough don't sport a classic tape-loop with monitoring function, a processor-loop (ideally switchable) or a pre-out/main-in loop anymore - while you'll need one of these (preferably one of the former two) for integrating an EQ.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
The cheapest effective way into an EQ that I found is a low end pro unit. I have an Alesis M-EQ 230 which is a 30 (not 31) band EQ with +/-12dB, channel gain and in/out switches. For this you do not need a tape loop if you have a preamp - it goes right between the preamp and the amp. But @lini it will need at least one of those solutions as you correctly point out.

Alesis is considered a low-end brand and many don't like it. However, this eq for $50 on eBay is virtually noise free to my ears and works very well. I have a preamp/amp now but on a prior setupI had a tape loop where I did A/B comparisons and there was no audible difference with it in or out.

I would also caution that EQ is not a miracle cure for bad speakers or rooms, but is good at sanding off major rough edges.
 
Lavane said:
I had the Realistic EQ you have in that picture. I liked the balance circuit in it. The LED's let you know when you have the output level the same as the input level. All EQ's should have gain controls.
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agreed! me and my buddy have had the same conversation. any equalizer with a spectrum analyzer should have a display level control as well.
 
I don't remember the model numbers anymore but I had an ADC Soundshaper eq and separate spectrum analyzer way back when. The spectrum analyzer had a pink-noise output and came with a microphone so you could make adjustments in real-time.
In the end, I felt my system sounded better without the eq so it sat for many years before I gave both to my son.
 
I wonder if the EQ's with spectrum analyzers require a specific mic. IIRC, My 2 recent Yamaha AVR's YPAO EQ's are calibrated specifically for the microphones they supply with the unit.
 
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charles 1973 said:
I wonder if the EQ's with spectrum analyzers require a specific mic. IIRC, My 2 recent Yamaha AVR's YPAO EQ's are calibrated specifically for the microphones they supply with the unit.
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yes.

RVT1K said:
I don't remember the model numbers anymore but I had an ADC Soundshaper eq and separate spectrum analyzer way back when. The spectrum analyzer had a pink-noise output and came with a microphone so you could make adjustments in real-time.
In the end, I felt my system sounded better without the eq so it sat for many years before I gave both to my son.
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i got back into vinyl back in feb of this year and i find myself using eq a lot less than when i'm listening to digital sources. when i do use the eq on vinyl, i am a lot less aggressive with it.
 
I still have a BSR spectrum analyzer. It's the same analyzer found in the EQ branded BSR and others, just the stand alone analyzer itself though.
I lost the microphone long ago though.
 
Lavane said:
I still have a BSR spectrum analyzer. It's the same analyzer found in the EQ branded BSR and others, just the stand alone analyzer itself though.
I lost the microphone long ago though.
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did your mic use a battery or rely on phantom power?
 
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