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Optimus 10 Band Graphic Equalizer Worth it for $40?

camerakid

camerakid

Active Member
I was scanning evilBay this morning and saw an Optimus 10 band equalizer for $40 + free shipping. I was just wondering if it would be worth it for 40 bucks. I need an equalizer for my system and this would be my first one (if I bought it, of course). I was also looking at some other ones like a Vector Research, but it was out of my price range at $75.

I also read some good AND bad things about the IMX enhancer, but mostly good things.

So, my question is, would this be worth it for $40? Thanks in advance!
 
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You can probably get one out of local ads or a pawn shop/buy and sell shop/thrift shop for that or less and get to see it working first as well as no shipping fees or damage risk just sayin' :)
 
Offer $25. Maybe $30.

The older ones with the coils are worth alot more IMO. In fact in my PROFESSIONAL opinion. I had an RS really good one but I sold it or something. It had the lights and the gain compensation. I have no idea what happened to it but I wouldn't mind having it now.

By the time they got to the IMX thing, there were no coils. From what I have heard and learned from the last 40 years, I would not pay much for an EQ that does not have coils. I think they sound alot better. Well, that is when you really use them, which I have.
 
Here's one example of an induction coil eq you can google the rest


Click to view larger image

Radial Q3™ - Induction Coil EQ
Part No. R700 0160

  • Coil EQ based on vintage EQs from the golden age
  • A stunning combination of over 10,000 tonal variations
  • Lets you color your sound with warmth and detail
  • Works with Workhorse and all 500 series power racks
The Radial Q3 is a spectacular sounding induction coil EQ that has been formatted to fit the popular 500 series format and the Radial Workhorse. It is designed to accentuate the character of a voice or instrument without introducing the artifacts and phase anomalies commonly associated with typical gyrator (resistor-capacitor) equalizer circuits.

The Q3 features four easy to use controls: top-end boost, mid-range cut, low frequency bass boost and gain make-up to offset the signal loss that occurs when using passive equalization. Each of the three EQ bands employs a 12 position Grayhill switch with a different preset curve at each position. These are carefully crafted to introduce subtle accents, huge hype and warm sounding cuts that will flatter and enthral. Each EQ setting is augmented with a miniature toggle switch that enables you to attenuate the curve for more subtle effects to deliver over 10,000 combinations of tonal bliss. And because presets are employed, it's easy to recreate favourite patches by setting the dials with 'easy to remember' 3-number combinations.

Adapted for use with the Radial Workhorse and older API Lunchbox racks, the Radial Q3 is plug-and-play easy to use. Simply feed it with a balanced line level signal and you are set to go. When connected to a Workhorse, the Omniport is assigned as an effects loop to allow various processing devices to be inserted into the EQ signal chain.

The Q3 induction coil EQ... probably the most exciting equalizer ever made.
 
camerakid said:
Can someone please tell me what an EQ with "coils" is?
Click to expand...

Most modern EQs use what is called a "gyrator" circuit that uses two caps and an OP AMP to do what they used to do with a series resonant circuit.

When you got to the extremes in range on the old ones the series tuned circuits acted in parallel and I believe, gave a sightly smoother response. this does not happen with the OP AMP based units.

There are some pretty damn good OP AMP based designs, I have a Pioneer SG-9500 that sounds great. But that is due to careful design. The first ones were not that great. I didn't like them.

One of these days I have to fix my EQs. I have a Soundcraftsmen that uses coils and the SG-9500. Strangely, they both need power transformers. Once that is done and I find myself with too much time on my hands I will do some measurements on them. Of course I will check the THD+N, but I want to see about the response. Like if I set two adjacent controls at max boost or cut, I want to see how smooth the effect is. And I bet the Soundcraftsmen wins. The Pioneer might win in THD+N, but you should see the coils in the Soundcraftsmen. some of them are adjustable ! Different engineering style.

Actually, all the "gyrator" based ones don't necessarily use OP AMPs, they can just use transistors. Hell, they could use tubes.

Ho boy, did I just open up a whole new subject here ? I know tube EQs exist but...

Anyone who wants to drive themself crazy about that is welcome to do so. A coil less tube EQ. Not that hard really.
 
Dave_1962 said:
Here's one example of an induction coil eq you can google the rest


Click to view larger image

Radial Q3™ - Induction Coil EQ
Part No. R700 0160

  • Coil EQ based on vintage EQs from the golden age
  • A stunning combination of over 10,000 tonal variations
  • Lets you color your sound with warmth and detail
  • Works with Workhorse and all 500 series power racks
The Radial Q3 is a spectacular sounding induction coil EQ that has been formatted to fit the popular 500 series format and the Radial Workhorse. It is designed to accentuate the character of a voice or instrument without introducing the artifacts and phase anomalies commonly associated with typical gyrator (resistor-capacitor) equalizer circuits.

The Q3 features four easy to use controls: top-end boost, mid-range cut, low frequency bass boost and gain make-up to offset the signal loss that occurs when using passive equalization. Each of the three EQ bands employs a 12 position Grayhill switch with a different preset curve at each position. These are carefully crafted to introduce subtle accents, huge hype and warm sounding cuts that will flatter and enthral. Each EQ setting is augmented with a miniature toggle switch that enables you to attenuate the curve for more subtle effects to deliver over 10,000 combinations of tonal bliss. And because presets are employed, it's easy to recreate favourite patches by setting the dials with 'easy to remember' 3-number combinations.

Adapted for use with the Radial Workhorse and older API Lunchbox racks, the Radial Q3 is plug-and-play easy to use. Simply feed it with a balanced line level signal and you are set to go. When connected to a Workhorse, the Omniport is assigned as an effects loop to allow various processing devices to be inserted into the EQ signal chain.

The Q3 induction coil EQ... probably the most exciting equalizer ever made.
Click to expand...

That looks like a dandy, but what do they mean by 500 series power racks. Does that mean it does not have an independent power supply ?
 
You talking about the 31-2000A Realistic EQ Jurb? That is one of the best EQ's made IMO. I still have a minty one that I will never let go of. It's in my garage system

I have an Audio Source EQ1 series 1 that I would love to get fixed, it's cosmetically perfect but has a hum. That's another nice one
 
Here is an example of power racks
Power Racks

Radial produces a selection of 500 series racks to suit every need. The Workhorse loads in 8 modules with a built-in mixer for unprecedented audio quality and more creative options than ever before. And it's now available without the mixer. The Cube opens the door to 500 series modules for desktop use while the PowerStrip enables you to rack mount modules and take them on the road. And Radial racks deliver more power to ensure optimal performance and maximum headroom.


500series_imgBtn1.png
powerracks_imgBtn2.png
powerracks_imgBtn5.png

powerracks_imgBtn6.png
powerracks_imgBtn3.png
powerracks_imgBtn4.png
 
I got this eq in the original box in a package deal for roughly 15 dollars for each piece.Troll the pawnshops you could get one for less but in reality 40 is not outrageous.
 
JURB said:
Most modern EQs use what is called a "gyrator" circuit that uses two caps and an OP AMP to do what they used to do with a series resonant circuit.

When you got to the extremes in range on the old ones the series tuned circuits acted in parallel and I believe, gave a sightly smoother response. this does not happen with the OP AMP based units.

There are some pretty damn good OP AMP based designs, I have a Pioneer SG-9500 that sounds great. But that is due to careful design. The first ones were not that great. I didn't like them.

One of these days I have to fix my EQs. I have a Soundcraftsmen that uses coils and the SG-9500. Strangely, they both need power transformers. Once that is done and I find myself with too much time on my hands I will do some measurements on them. Of course I will check the THD+N, but I want to see about the response. Like if I set two adjacent controls at max boost or cut, I want to see how smooth the effect is. And I bet the Soundcraftsmen wins. The Pioneer might win in THD+N, but you should see the coils in the Soundcraftsmen. some of them are adjustable ! Different engineering style.

Actually, all the "gyrator" based ones don't necessarily use OP AMPs, they can just use transistors. Hell, they could use tubes.

Ho boy, did I just open up a whole new subject here ? I know tube EQs exist but...

Anyone who wants to drive themself crazy about that is welcome to do so. A coil less tube EQ. Not that hard really.
Click to expand...
Thanks!
 
camerakid said:
I was scanning evilBay this morning and saw an Optimus 10 band equalizer for $40 + free shipping. I was just wondering if it would be worth it for 40 bucks. I need an equalizer for my system and this would be my first one (if I bought it, of course). I was also looking at some other ones like a Vector Research, but it was out of my price range at $75.

I also read some good AND bad things about the IMX enhancer, but mostly good things.

So, my question is, would this be worth it for $40? Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
My father has owned one of these for at least 20 years. He doesn't use the IMX enhancer. The Optimus EQ doesn't stack up to his 31-band Rane, of course, but he says it's quiet and, for what it is, a good piece of gear. $40 seems pretty reasonable.
 
I don't see a system layout detailed. But if you are digital only, I wouldn't bother with an analog EQ, but use a digital parametric one. If you want to get the best results of an eq in general, a parametric is necessary, as is a way to measure the areas of frequency response to know where it needs to be applied, and a way to verify what has been done after its application.

If you do analog its still possible to do digital EQ and processing, but its a bit more complicated to implement. But still worth it.

Regards
Mister Pig
 
Northwinds said:
You talking about the 31-2000A Realistic EQ Jurb? That is one of the best EQ's made IMO. I still have a minty one that I will never let go of. It's in my garage system

I have an Audio Source EQ1 series 1 that I would love to get fixed, it's cosmetically perfect but has a hum. That's another nice one
Click to expand...

Quick look on Google told me the answer to your question is yes. Surprisingly that model had no coils, but damn it sounded good. In fact I do not remember what happened to it. Put it this way, one day when my Father was drunk he hit it with a piece of pipe. Still worked fine but the value was diminished. He is dead now but I did not kill him for that.

But yes, they really paid attention to design on that one and IMO it sounds about as good as one with coils. It was on my front speakers on the BIG system I used to have.
 
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