Stereo EQ in the hifi world ...?

Have a look at the Antinode 2.0. I think  it is a very useful and not to expensive addition to your system. There's also a newer model out now. 

So here is a question that ties in with a couple of other threads concerning the trend of severe DR compression in most new music releases. Maybe this question deserves a new thread or maybe it deserves no discussion at all:

I understand that if the DR is narrow on a recording then nothing can make it wider.

But I wonder if an EQ can improve the way a narrow DR recording sounds? High and low frequencies at the same volume are perceived to be of different volumes due to the equal-loudness contour ("Fletcher-Munson" curve) characteristic of human hearing. So would it be possible to exploit this with an equalizer to give the impression of a wider DR?

I don't like digital EQ at all in my hifi system, as these things just add unnecessary junk into the mix and my ego doesn't allow me to trust whoever decided the filter parameters, and I think a great sounding system should start by sounding great without added EQ. At that point I approve of adding something as transparent as a Loki in for occasional minor adjustment. Please contact me if your system need approval, as I am the approver. Adding 60 little "volume pots on a stick" with a cheap graphic equalizer makes me cringe, but might work for some.

I misquoted. The ME60 ( all 3 versions ( time period of manufacture, I own the 2nd ) have balanced XLR connections. The ME60S did away with the single ended rca jacks. The ME60 can be had for very little ( I have seen them as low as $89. from Guitar Center ). Enjoy ! MrD.

@wolf_garcia, can you expound on the subject of digital EQ in a HiFi system? Not talking about DEQX, interested in traditional EQ.

I've used all sorts of equalizers over the decades and have an SAE in my basement someplace...I use a little two channel graphic EQ in a live mixing rack, and some parametric EQ, but otherwise haven't used one in my hifi rack for decades because hey...they generally SUCK, except for the Loki, which when needed is amazing for all the reasons mentioned, foremost being that it's the only EQ I've encountered (I avoid digital domain EQ for home listening, but that's another topic anyway) that is utterly transparent.

MR D :
If I don't like the SAE I'll try the Rane , looks great , thanks! 

Someone did ask earlier about using with an integrated amp.
Is that possible with a unit like the Loki?
I cannot really see how myself.

Rane ME60, or ME60S, if you need XLR ( balanced ). Enjoy ! MrD.

Thanks. That sounds reasonable.

N80 : $200 , not bad ...

For whatever it's worth (LOL) I agree with wolf's comments about the LOKI. I've tried many types of interconnects high priced to low and for an unknown reason (to me) it doesn't seem to matter, the music sounds clear and unobstructed. I would not concern myself about mixing interconnects.

@wolf_garcia , that’s the only way to do it. Unfortunately for me, my ICs are pricey and i cant afford another pair at this time.

Tommypenn...
An SAE EQ10 is a great find, it’s perfect for a home system. I hope it performs well, the electronics in a vintage unit like this will naturally degrade over time.
I’d like to find a parametric like that, but would need to check under the hood.

I use the same Morrow (new version) cables in and out of the Loki to provide a sense of uniformity and because they look cool...that's important...everybody admires them (actually, absolutely nobody I know cares).

How much was it if you don't mind my asking?

I picked up an SAE EQ10 just to try it ....I had an SAE amp from the 80's worked great ...nice quality...I'll post my findings . 

I would go nuts with one of those EQs with dozens of sliders. OCD in overdrive.

I use a decware zrock2 and I would not want to live without it, at least in my system.

SAE made equipment with parametric eq’s. The most favorite EQ’s by far from back in the day were made by Soundcraftsman.
www.ebay.com/i/163189011750?chn=ps

Matt M

Is there any truth to parametric Eq’s are less noisy & overall better than graphics?

To the OP...
Some members are using parametric EQ made by Behringer. 
I have no experience with these units, but there are threads in the archives.

@wolf_garcia , can I assume you are using cables of equal quality into and out of the Loki?

An example of Loki usefulness is illustrated by one of my fave albums from the 70s, Little Feat's "The Last Record Album." Lacks sparkle for some reason, but boosting via the Loki 8kHz frequencies just makes it shine...

I'm also curious to see how an external EQ can improve brand new CDs that tend to be loud and have compressed DR. I find that it is the mid-high and high frequencies in these as well that bother me. For $129 it might be worth it just to find out.

Thanks wolf, very nice explanation. I'm not sure what the freq. range of the objectionable mid-high to high of these digital pressings are. Perhaps in the 5kHz to 8k?  I wonder if there has ever been testing done.

It's sad so many classical recordings were ruined for eternity by record labels and engineers during that time period.
 

Note that the 20Hz and 8kHz knobs have a +/-12 db range and the 400hz and 2kHz middle knobs have a +/-6 db range...I think the 8kHz sweep covers the treble edginess issue just fine (each eq range is centered but gets fairly wide as you increase or decrease it), and the sort of tapered response of "more first and less later" is interesting and really does the job.

@wolf_garcia  
I like hearing how transparent the Loki is.
My previous post...

since this is only a 4 band EQ, how tight is the range and roll off for each frequency setting? ie, would you use both 8kHz and 2k to treat harsh highs on early production CDs?

Can you comment on how effective it would be to tame the edge on early CDs, ie, DG ? Many labels especially classical had poorly mastered CDs in the 1980s. Close mic's and a new technology they were still trying to learn.

@roberjerman,
  I've always loved the SAE stacks. It's been my goal to put one together as a 2nd system.

But how would a vintage SAE EQ compare today as far as low noise, transparency, soundstaging?
I've used many SOTA parametrics in analogue studios years ago.

The Loki is as amazing for what it doesn't do as for what it does. It provides a well thought out range of EQ without any noise or signal damage. Mine is left on and bypassed until needed, and I've bypassed it completely to test the possible effect on my system from the thing itself and the longer run of interconnect needed to put it between my preamp and amp (two runs of 1 meter cable instead of one)...no perceptible difference, verified by a trusty DB meter and my earballs...also it doesn't click or let you know you just activated it except for the fact that the knobs now are in the mix. I use it rarely as my gear heap generally doesn't need it, but when some fave old Vinyl lacks sparkle you can dial that in, and that seems to be what I use it for the most, although for late night listening you can combat the dreaded Fletcher-Munson curve by boosting whatever you damn well please...I generally adjust bass a bit if needed just by controlling my subs with their level knobs, but if I'm lazy the Loki does a great job of that. The LED is a little bright (I fixed that with a green Sharpie), and it's single ended only...I imagine a balanced version is in Schiit's future...another great thing is that it's so cheap and small you can try it for a couple of weeks and not worry about a large shipping or restocking charge to send it back. Schiit should pay me for this sort of support but NO NO NO...they apparently do NOT care about me.

A multi-band equalizer from SAE will give you a lot of flexibility for tailoring your sound! I collect and use vintage SAE gear.

   Understood lak. But I've worked to play my system flat without eq. It's those damn early harsh CDs and the poorly mastered ones that need some EQ. For the most part I could use the bypass.

That's a great question and I'm not quite sure how to answer it.
If I'm not mistaken I think @wolf_garcia uses the LOKI and he might be better able to answer that question.
Personally, when I use my LOKI, I adjust it for the CD that I'm specifically listening to. Seems to done the trick for me.

@lak , since this is only a 4 band EQ, how tight is the range and roll off for each frequency setting? ie, would you use both 8kHz and 2k to treat harsh highs on early production CDs?

Use with integrated?

And it has a bypass switch.

The Schiit LOKI is a high fidelity tone control that works very well and is somewhat inexpensive. I have heard no adverse effects.
See this thread also: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/eq-for-hifi-stereo

Me, too.