dubai2000 Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 ....after having got my speaker set-up (sub included) and switching to tube amps is on my recently acquired (slightly used) Behringer DSP 8024 EQ and its matching microphone. For those of you who have already worked with EQs it might be laughable, but mastering even proper reading of the RTA curve (or rather grasping that 70db is louder than 90db and how to adjust EQ sliders that is: do I add db or reduce levels?) was kind of tricky for my non-mathematical brain. Yes, I even reached a stage where I thought that this was/is the first piece of audio gear I cannot master. BUT things did improve because I got great support from two forum members (thanks a lot Mike and Jim!!!). I dont want to bore you with all the things that didnt work (due to my slow learning), but it might turn out useful for others to know that when I inserted the unit between external crossover and sub (to smooth out sub response) it didnt work because -try as I might- the input signal remained too weak. So out I dug my trusted MX110 and utilized its tape loop. I set up RTA parameters and pressed the button. Looking at my readings I noticed a dip between 500hz and 2.5k and some rise below 50hz (with a peak around 25hz). As Auto EQ didnt do a proper job (surely my fault!), I adjusted EQ settings manually...getting quite close to a flat curve. One of the CDs I had been playing a lot lately was Roger Waters Radio K.A.O.S, so why not hear what it sounded after EQing? Well, tonally I was not that pleased (I found it a bit too bright and bass to lean), BUT the improved clarity was staggering. I could really look into the recording like never before. Out came a lot of other music...and the result was always the same: a lot more natural and much clearer. I had read that flat curves are not necessarily the most pleasant sounding, so I rolled of treble a bit and increased (an otherwise flat) bass output by a few db...using my ears as guide...the result: a more natural (because smoother) sound with controlled bass that first sounds leaner, but going back to un-EQed sound revealed it as kind of bloated before...(which I only notice now in comparison). Let me tell you: this is undoubtedly an improvement I had not expected. You all have read (and probably experienced) about details that you suddenly hear when upgrading equipment. I can only say that this unit helps to do that more than any change of amp/tube etc. has ever done for me. For the fun of it - and to make sure I didnt make a complete mess - I took the EQ out of the signal and it was like a whole load of blankets being thrown over my ears! I should add that I find this enlarged/more precise soundstage even more remarkable as I am using the Marantz 8B at the moment and good as the amp is I have never though that soundstaging is its most outstanding feature guess I was wrong. Of course the Behringer offers additional features as well, but this being all new, I take my time discovering other benefits that might be hidden (basically thinking of its parametric EQ function). For the time being I just thought I have to share... Wolfram Addition: I have just played parts of Beethoven's 9th in the old Furtwängler live recording and even here more 'depth' is revealed....leaves me almost stunned....bearing in mind that we are talking about a 1942 (!) recording! Wolfram Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Spinner Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 the Best Money i ever spent ...... D.I.V.O.R.I.C.E ... ! ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Shmoe Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 Is it possible to some way hook my old EQ up to my DENON 3803? As far as I thought, it wasn't possible? My old Kenwood had the Tape loop but the Denon does not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audio Flynn Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 dub 2K Hard to read when you do not space the lines. Cool stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krustyoldsarge Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 ---------------- On 1/23/2005 9:35:11 AM bsafirebird1969 wrote: the Best Money i ever spent ...... D.I.V.O.R.I.C.E ... ! ... ---------------- ...and isn't alimony a wonderful tool to help us keep $pending it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai2000 Posted January 23, 2005 Author Share Posted January 23, 2005 Hope it's easier to read now . Wolfram Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 Wolfram -- I've been following the other thread very closely, and now you've tipped me over the edge. Count me in -- I'll be picking mine up next week. Then comes a sub, followed by a 600 wpc Crown amplifier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai2000 Posted January 23, 2005 Author Share Posted January 23, 2005 Dean, I cannot imagine that you'll regret it. Often when I pick a CD I 'know', I must admit to myself that it is only half the truth. Granted, first it's a bit unusual to hear familiar tracks in this new - I'd call it 'cleaner' light - but go back to the original and your ears will tell you which is....I was about to say 'right', but it might be safer to say 'closer to reality'. In the end listening remains subjective but for my ears there is no going back. I have just finished the 1942 Beethoven and the more of sonic information retrieved is really surprising: within the limits of the recording I get more ambience information (pages turning, audience moving, orchestral front-back-perspective, more truthful timbres). The logic of Furtwängler's interpretation becomes a lot clearer because dynamic differences are also more clearly/cleanly depicted. Remember: the unit discussed in the other thread is the later/current model, mine offers a few less facilities (and fewer EQ bands), but fundamentally it does the same job and - being used - was even less costly . Wolfram Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Mandaville Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 This is all just too addictive! Thanks, Wolfram. Sounds like it could be really amazing... Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai2000 Posted January 23, 2005 Author Share Posted January 23, 2005 Erik, it IS ...of course IMO . Wolfram Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMcGoo Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 The biggest bang for the buck improvements are room tuning and crossover mods. The 600 wpc amp is $pendy. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibby214 Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 Joe Shmoe, I was thinking of hooking my old Technics EQ up to my Yamaha RXV 1400. I noticed it had 2 sets of in and outs (which I think can be like Monitors or the tape loop) Labeled as MD/tape and CD-R. Don't know about your Denon. Havn't tried it yet. Just as well it's paid for. Not exactly pro gear but trying not to upgrade only after trying all resources. gib Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben. Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 ---------------- On 1/23/2005 9:35:11 AM bsafirebird1969 wrote: the Best Money i ever spent ...... D.I.V.O.R.I.C.E ... ! ... ---------------- I'm guessing she was an English teacher? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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