Using graphic EQ with modern receiver?

[2channelGuy]

Hi all. I want to replace my aging Harman Kardon HK 3370 with a new receiver. But l use an EQ and can't find a new receiver with the tape monitor loop. l think l figured how to use the EQ without it. First, get a preamp for my turntable so it doesn't need to be connected to a phono input with a ground. Then get a 6 or 8 input audio/video switch with RCA jacks to connect the outputs of my turntable, CD player, DVD recorder, CD recorder, and cassette deck. Go out from the switch to the receiver's Aux input. That should EQ all playback sources. l know l wouldn't be able to EQ AM and FM from the tuner, but that's ok. And to EQ recordings, connect the EQ line out to the CD recorder and cassette deck's input. Would that work? Can someone verify that? lf it works, l just need a receiver with subwoofer outputs because l have a subwoofer.

 

[TLS Guy]

Hi all. I want to replace my aging Harman Kardon HK 3370 with a new receiver. But l use an EQ and can't find a new receiver with the tape monitor loop. l think l figured how to use the EQ without it. First, get a preamp for my turntable so it doesn't need to be connected to a phono input with a ground. Then get a 6 or 8 input audio/video switch with RCA jacks to connect the outputs of my turntable, CD player, DVD recorder, CD recorder, and cassette deck. Go out from the switch to the receiver's Aux input. That should EQ all playback sources. l know l wouldn't be able to EQ AM and FM from the tuner, but that's ok. And to EQ recordings, connect the EQ line out to the CD recorder and cassette deck's input. Would that work? Can someone verify that? lf it works, l just need a receiver with subwoofer outputs because l have a subwoofer.

It would work, but it is not necessary. Receivers have Eq. Really though there should be absolutely no need for Eq. Heavy handed use of Eq, is a really bad idea, and a good way to damage speakers, especially tweeters. Graphic equalizers, except to archive very old vintage material have had their day. In other aspects using those old graphic Eqs is bad practice.

 

[lovinthehd]

Some avrs like Yamahas even have parametric eq built-in, a step up over graphic eq, altho most at least have graphic eq (e.g. Denon/Marantz, if you don't want to use Audyssey eq). Would also avoid that extra switch too.

 

[BMXTRIX]

The EQ has gone away because in reality it never went away. It has been integrated into new equipment as a feature. So, as others have said, you should really just toss your EQ away and step into the 21st century.

Your idea certainly has some merit and would work, but I would think that you may also take a big hit on adding a bunch of new analog equipment in line with the other equipment you already have for zero net benefit. It gives you your redundant EQ, but also adds noise into the system. So, a real lose-lose scenario.

If I were serious about having outboard EQ, then I think I would look for a pre-amp/amp combo which allows for an EQ to be put in line between the pre-amp and the amp.

But, I'm rarely serious.

 

[3db]

Like Lovinthehd stated, AVRs like Yamaha have built in PEQ which are far more capable than a graphic equalizer. However there is a way to do it with an AVR if the AVR has more than one zone out. I have four zone outs on my AVR and have created two tape loops with them.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yes, if I were to go to external eq and stick it between avr preouts and power amps I'd look at something from miniDSP.com or a few others....

 

[2channelGuy]

l couldn't find any receiver with built in EQ. Are there any under $400 with it? Can someone post a link? And with a built in EQ, does the EQ change the sound going to the line out record jacks or just the speaker outputs?

 

[lovinthehd]

What receivers are you looking at? Just two channel models might not have eq, we're mostly talking about multich avrs (and at first thought your old HK unit was an avr). $400 would be on the low end of that range and may have limited features (like no pre-outs at all). You won't find much in the way of line-out record jacks these days either (DRM fears). I'd think most record out jacks wouldn't be affected by eq/tone control, that they'd tend to be just straight fixed line-outs but its been a while since I used any type of recorder with my audio gear. In the case of pre-outs and speakers, yes, generally eq/tone control would be applied to both. AVRs will have better bass management for subs than most 2ch units will, tho.

 

[Swerd]

l couldn't find any receiver with built in EQ. Are there any under $400 with it? Can someone post a link? And with a built in EQ, does the EQ change the sound going to the line out record jacks or just the speaker outputs?

The built-in EQ in modern receivers does not resemble your old graphic equalizer. It's built-in software that analyzes your room's acoustic properties and makes corrections with a digital parametric equalizer to tune your system for the optimum sound. They provide a microphone to perform this, and the software is mostly automated.

In Marantz and Denon this is called Audyssey Dynamic EQ. In Yamaha, this is called YPAO. Depending on the models and prices, there are differences in the amount of automated functions and manual controls.

 

[lovinthehd]

The built-in EQ in modern receivers does not resemble your old graphic equalizer. It's built-in software that analyzes your room's acoustic properties and makes corrections with a digital parametric equalizer to tune your system for the optimum sound. They provide a microphone to perform this, and the software is mostly automated.

In Marantz and Denon this is called Audyssey Dynamic EQ. In Yamaha, this is called YPAO. Depending on the models and prices, there are differences in the amount of automated functions and manual controls.

That said, Marantz & Denon avrs also have manual eq, but only graphic eq (GEQ) and you can't use both Audyssey and the GEQ simultaneously. With Yamaha you can use the automatic PEQ (YPAO) and still adjust with the PEQ built in (altho I just looked at a low end Yamaha V385 and it appears to have YPAO but GEQ to adjust manually....but I didn't dig into that in the manual).

ps Many avrs do not list the manual eq as a feature prominently in their overviews, sometimes you need to check the manual for the details....

 

[Pogre]

In Marantz and Denon this is called Audyssey Dynamic EQ.

I know you know this. I'm just being pedantic, but it's actually called Audyssey MultEQ and the higher models have MultEQ XT and MultEQ XT32. Dynamic EQ is a feature of MultEQ and acts pretty much like a bass boost.

 

[lovinthehd]

I know you know this. I'm just being pedantic, but it's actually called Audyssey MultEQ and the higher models have MultEQ XT and MultEQ XT32. Dynamic EQ is a feature of MultEQ and acts pretty much like a bass boost.

Well, bass as well as treble with DEQ. It's like old 2ch gear loudness contours but better.

 

[2channelGuy]

What is Bluetooth used for on a receiver?

 

[lovinthehd]

Casting music from something like a phone to the receiver....and similarly many can also accept wifi casting via DLNA.

 

[Pogre]

What is Bluetooth used for on a receiver?

I never use it myself, but you can stream music from your phone direct to the receiver using bt. Other compatible devices as well.

 

[TLS Guy]

l couldn't find any receiver with built in EQ. Are there any under $400 with it? Can someone post a link? And with a built in EQ, does the EQ change the sound going to the line out record jacks or just the speaker outputs?

There are no record out jacks on modern receivers. However you can use zone outs, if you are crafty.

If you do a lot of work in legacy audio and archiving, having a vintage preamp in the rig is recommended. I have four in my rig.

For instance this is my 78 RPM archiving rig, with tube preamp with all the historic 78 disc Eq equalization codes.

 

[3db]

There are no record out jacks on modern receivers. However you can use zone outs, if you are crafty.

See my post above. I was doubly crafty!!

 

[lovinthehd]

See my post above. I was doubly crafty!!

You're just accommodating an odd desire to use cassettes Sorry, I just had to

 

[3db]

You're just accommodating an odd desire to use cassettes Sorry, I just had to

And it works so well.

 

[highfigh]

You're just accommodating an odd desire to use cassettes Sorry, I just had to

So, no wire recorder?