Okay,
First of all, I think it's outrageous that audiophiles continue to spurn EQ. The few EQ solutions within that marketplace are both limited in function and ridiculously expensive.
Having said that, I do have what some people would call a very high end system, particularly in terms of my speakers (which are serious professional monitors).
My question is this: I do need some EQ help, primarily to even out bass response in my room. I've been looking at three units: the Behringer DEQ2496, the monster Rane DEQ60L, and the neato Presonus 624 (it has a nice feature: analogue slides, but you can lock out the settings and so keep little fingers from messing with your careful setup).
I already have an expensive calibrated mic and frequency spectrum analysis software set up. The Behringer puts me off, largely for ergonomics. The others are pricey.
My question is this: in a very high resolution system -- I play SACDs as well as CDs and have a mastering-studio DAC, etc. -- will any or all of these units introduce unacceptable (or any) level of noise? Second, is anyone familiar with any or all of these? Thanks!
First of all, I think it's outrageous that audiophiles continue to spurn EQ. The few EQ solutions within that marketplace are both limited in function and ridiculously expensive.
Having said that, I do have what some people would call a very high end system, particularly in terms of my speakers (which are serious professional monitors).
My question is this: I do need some EQ help, primarily to even out bass response in my room. I've been looking at three units: the Behringer DEQ2496, the monster Rane DEQ60L, and the neato Presonus 624 (it has a nice feature: analogue slides, but you can lock out the settings and so keep little fingers from messing with your careful setup).
I already have an expensive calibrated mic and frequency spectrum analysis software set up. The Behringer puts me off, largely for ergonomics. The others are pricey.
My question is this: in a very high resolution system -- I play SACDs as well as CDs and have a mastering-studio DAC, etc. -- will any or all of these units introduce unacceptable (or any) level of noise? Second, is anyone familiar with any or all of these? Thanks!
Konnichiwa
Not all of them do. I have written quite extensively on using EQ's in HiFi Systems.
One of the key notes from that for your context is:
"Room modes cannot be effectively corrected using graphic EQ's, you must have parametric EQ's"
I find the Behringers ergonomics quite okay.
Could be better, but considering the DSP power it puts at your disposal to correct room & speaker issues, to re-equalise recordings and so on (excellent feature is the stereo-width feature, which is best use to considerably increase the staereo base below 500Hz ONLY) and to provide time alignment between Subs and Main speakers (feed subs from the Aux Output and assign the delay either to Aux or Main, depending which set needs delay) the ergonomics are apropriate.
The 2496 when switched to -12dbu full scale levels does not add noise or distortion in norml systems, but appears to reduce resolution somewhat, not hugely, but notably.
Upgrading the Analogue stage or completely bypassing them in favour of transformers (You need 10K:2K5 for input and 600:1k2 for the output, nickelcore, +12dbu level handling on the High Impedance side) will claw back most of that, replacing the switch mode supply with a good external linear one might also do a lot of good.
Sayonara
highdudgeon said:
Not all of them do. I have written quite extensively on using EQ's in HiFi Systems.
One of the key notes from that for your context is:
"Room modes cannot be effectively corrected using graphic EQ's, you must have parametric EQ's"
highdudgeon said:
I find the Behringers ergonomics quite okay.
Could be better, but considering the DSP power it puts at your disposal to correct room & speaker issues, to re-equalise recordings and so on (excellent feature is the stereo-width feature, which is best use to considerably increase the staereo base below 500Hz ONLY) and to provide time alignment between Subs and Main speakers (feed subs from the Aux Output and assign the delay either to Aux or Main, depending which set needs delay) the ergonomics are apropriate.
highdudgeon said:
The 2496 when switched to -12dbu full scale levels does not add noise or distortion in norml systems, but appears to reduce resolution somewhat, not hugely, but notably.
Upgrading the Analogue stage or completely bypassing them in favour of transformers (You need 10K:2K5 for input and 600:1k2 for the output, nickelcore, +12dbu level handling on the High Impedance side) will claw back most of that, replacing the switch mode supply with a good external linear one might also do a lot of good.
Sayonara
I am the owner of an Ultracurve for a week now. I have some first impressions about it but it is too little time for a final conclusion.
Well, first, I have no complain about ergonomics. Quite the contrary, I'd say. Considering the complexity of such a machine, it is very ergonomic.
Second, even if it is connected in the digital domain, it degrades the sound a bit. Not too much, though, so I am waiting to see IF I ever achieve a correct equalization setting (it might take A LOT of time, I assure you), if the benefits will be greater than the disadvantages.
For the time, I see that the pleasant sound of my JLH (15W DIY amp) goes out of the window, making it slightly hard, slightly inaccurate and slightly like any medium price commercial amp.
These are not final conclusions, though.
Well, first, I have no complain about ergonomics. Quite the contrary, I'd say. Considering the complexity of such a machine, it is very ergonomic.
Second, even if it is connected in the digital domain, it degrades the sound a bit. Not too much, though, so I am waiting to see IF I ever achieve a correct equalization setting (it might take A LOT of time, I assure you), if the benefits will be greater than the disadvantages.
For the time, I see that the pleasant sound of my JLH (15W DIY amp) goes out of the window, making it slightly hard, slightly inaccurate and slightly like any medium price commercial amp.
These are not final conclusions, though.
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