Equalizer in a Hi Fi system

@ellajeanelle I have the Mclntosh MQ112 equalizer. Just came out a few months ago an I totally love it and recommend it. Absolutely no hiss at all on any frequencies. 

tattooedtrackman OP

Thank for the suggestion. I looked at it and see that the highest adjustment frequency is 10 Khz, but looks nice and has a descent THD and S/N ratio.  I am not sure that 10 Khz would be high enough.   A few 1/3 octave 31 band eq's that are hiss free is what I really want.  I have several, but they all add an undesirable level of hiss, particularly during quiet passages.  I need the bands because I set the rooms flat with a calibrated mic and spectrum analyzer using pink noise directly from the source as a reference point and then make slight adjustments to my liking.

@ellajeanelle   I totally understand. Good luck 👍 

@ellajeanelle , I read a lot of mastering forum threads because basically I tone shape and great insights for the “next step” beyond mastering, post production tone shaping to taste at home, can be gleaned from these threads. Also, you read about the best analog gear and digital plugins here too. Mixing spills into this talk as well and it involves more narrow Q notch like correction. You will read here that digital EQ usually favored for this phase. But for final tonal touches in the mastering phase, so many engineers will tell you the best analog boxes can’t be beat. Indeed it’s common knowledge in these circles that passive EQ broad Q filter boosts for air band are THE best way to cure an overly digital sounding mix. 
So I’ve got some conclusions and parallels for home EQ from all of this. My readings and experiences tell me that 1. One must never conflate room corrective EQ with tonal EQ. 2. Like mixing, room corrective EQ should be done digitally. And 3. Broader based EQ for tonal adjustments will always sound better with great analog gear, in my opinion studio balanced hardware EQ, than digital. 

Right now listening to Daft Punk - Random Access Memories as follows:

Matrix X Sabre 3 dac streamer > Charter Oak analog balanced hardware PEQ-1 > Headamp GSX-Mini > HEKse. 
Tonally adjusted to personal taste. For this album, for my ears, about +3 at 40 hz, +1 at 120 hz and + 6 at 20 kHz. 
It’s the most amazing sound you’ve ever heard. 🎶😊🎧