Good desktop hardware EQ unit?

[Portcorner]

Hi guys,

I am looking for a good EQ unit, desktop (no rack) that I can use with my Rega Elex mk4 and ProAc Studio 150 speakers. I listen to a wide range of music from Ambient to Extreme Metal and my amp - speaker combo is not giving me what I need with some harsher rock and metal. I feel I need more separation and to bring more clarity to mids and highs...

I dont want to fiddle with software eqs (which I have plenty already), just looking for a nice alternative to say the Schiit Loki Max which is too expensive for me...

Any suggestions?

thanks
Jorge

 

[Jim Taylor]

Have you tried pro audio retailers in your area for less-expensive pro equalizers?
It might help if you told us where you were located.

 

[thegeton]

RME ADI-2 DAC FS

 

[kemmler3D]

Hi guys,

I am looking for a good EQ unit, desktop (no rack) that I can use with my Rega Elex mk4 and ProAc Studio 150 speakers. I listen to a wide range of music from Ambient to Extreme Metal and my amp - speaker combo is not giving me what I need with some harsher rock and metal. I feel I need more separation and to bring more clarity to mids and highs...

I dont want to fiddle with software eqs (which I have plenty already), just looking for a nice alternative to say the Schiit Loki Max which is too expensive for me...

Any suggestions?

thanks
Jorge

These days most good hardware EQ is still software EQ on the inside, not sure if that's a problem in your opinion or not.

Some of the WiiM products are usable as EQ units, I'm using the WiiM Pro as one. You set it up in software but then it just sits on the desktop.

A good compromise IMO as long as you don't want to adjust it very often.

 

[EERecordist]

Have you tried pro audio retailers in your area for less-expensive pro equalizers?
It might help if you told us where you were located.

I would second this.

If you need HW analog EQ, the secondhand music and recording world has many in rack mount format. People in music go through gear and it can become very cheap on the secondary market. ASR tested a graphic EQ, and those are easily available used. It is easy to find rack mount cases which look fine on the desktop. I would pair a calibrated measurement microphone about $100US +- with REW to use with your equalizer.

 

[pogo]

I feel I need more separation and to bring more clarity to mids and highs...

These functions are built into the Waxwing Phono DSP, which is not just a phono pre. It also has a sufficient amount of preset memories.

 

[Jimbob54]

RME ADI-2 DAC FS

Well if the Schiit Loki is above budget at £150 I'm pretty sure we can rule this suggestion out ;-)

 

[Timcognito]

This thread has a lot good info and vids on the IK Arc and competitive systems

The ultimate low cost solution for room correction?

Hello to all of you from ASR, I've been following you for about three years and this is my first post...I'm using Google translator, so excuse my English... I wanted to let you know that IK Multimedia has just introduced a new dedicated product to environmental correction, called: "ARC STUDIO"...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[staticV3]

Well if the Schiit Loki is above budget at £150 I'm pretty sure we can rule this suggestion out ;-)

The particular Loki version, which OP noted is above budget, is $1500.

the Schiit Loki Max which is too expensive for me

 

[Jimbob54]

The particular Loki version, which OP noted is above budget, is $1500.

I stand thoroughly corrected ! Sorry @thegeton

 

[Jim Taylor]

I would second this.

If you need HW analog EQ, the secondhand music and recording world has many in rack mount format. People in music go through gear and it can become very cheap on the secondary market. ASR tested a graphic EQ, and those are easily available used. It is easy to find rack mount cases which look fine on the desktop. I would pair a calibrated measurement microphone about $100US +- with REW to use with your equalizer.

I thought the OP specified "no rack". Some pro units are, however, footed units or can be ordered that way.

 

[thegeton]

I stand thoroughly corrected ! Sorry @thegeton

No worries!

 

[Portcorner]

I'm in Portugal.

Yes, I has been thinking about it, but just wanted to have a go at an old analogue eq, given that I only play digital files.

I have a small music studio running Ableton. In Ableton I have plenty of pulgins from EQ8 to Nova TDR to FabFilter... I can get what I want from feeding whatever I play in my macbook (spotify but also roon, plex, flac files, all lossless...) through Ableton and a choice of plug-ins with a virtual lopback driver such as Blackhole (link). And this way I can process the audio coming in in a myriad of ways. So I am happy with the pro audio side of things.

thanks

Well if the Schiit Loki is above budget at £150 I'm pretty sure we can rule this suggestion out ;-)

loki max is €1500

 

[kemmler3D]

an old analogue eq

In this case I agree with the other posters that you should look for an old graphic EQ, either pro or home oriented.

 

[Basilderat]

Hi guys,

I am looking for a good EQ unit, desktop (no rack) that I can use with my Rega Elex mk4 and ProAc Studio 150 speakers. I listen to a wide range of music from Ambient to Extreme Metal and my amp - speaker combo is not giving me what I need with some harsher rock and metal. I feel I need more separation and to bring more clarity to mids and highs...

I dont want to fiddle with software eqs (which I have plenty already), just looking for a nice alternative to say the Schiit Loki Max which is too expensive for me...

Any suggestions?

thanks
Jorge

Try the Fosi SK-01, reviewed here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...audio-sk-01-headphone-amplifier-review.49671/ and here https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ne-amp-preamp-with-ample-tone-controls.47780/