Kal...Good job on the PARC review. Stuff I have read about the PARC led me to become interested in active room equalization (passive treatments being impossible for reasons mentioned in the review).
I agree that 24% of audiophiles should plunk down their $2800 for a PARC. However, for the 76% rest of us, where the cost is a bit high, and/or there are more than two channels to deal with, the device that I recommend, the Behringer DEQ2496, does a great job. Costing about 1/8 as much (including a $70 mic) it is vastly more flexible than the PARC, and includes a spectrum analyzer that, by itself, is worth the price. It is digital, which is good if your input can be digital. The A/D and D/A converters are well-regarded modules, and whether or not they degrade sound is something that each listener must decide for themselves. Even the 24% people who are on track for a PARC would be well advised to get the DEQ2496 first and play around with it to better understand their room problems and what can be done about them. Even if you go on to insert a PARC the DEQ2496 continues to be useful as a spectrum analyzer. Wouldn't you like to know the exact sonic effect of the Christmas tree, with and without ornaments? :-)
