Re: [ARSCLIST] Equalizers

[Eric Jacobs <ericj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

First of all, I would love to hear what other ARSC members
are using and what led you to your choice of
equalizer/preamp. Perhaps we could do an informal equalizer
poll, and perhaps some mini reviews if people are inclined
(ie. how easy is it to use, how you are using it, quality of
the sound, shortcomings, strengths, etc.).

Following is a short list of equalizer/preamps that I am
aware of (in no particular order) - I'm sure I missed a few,
so please feel free to add to the list:


Millennia LPE-2 - This is what I use and I am very happy with
the flexibility that it provides for my transfer/restoration
work, but may be overkill for casual listening or for use
with mid-range electronics. It not only provides adjustable
hi frequency roll-off and low frequency turnover, but I
believe is unique in that it also offers hi and low frequency
shelving. If that's not enough flexibility, there are
sockets on the circuit board where you can insert your own
resistors and capacitors to obtain pretty much any
equalization. Also, very flexible cartridge loading - if the
built-in loading is not what you need, once again there are
sockets on the circuit board where you can insert your own
resistors and capacitors. It really is the most flexible
preamp I've been able to find, and with extremely high
quality electronics as well. $9,500 USD list price.
info: http://www.mil-media.com/docs/products/lpe2.shtml
info: http://www.mil-media.com/docs/articles/preamps.shtml
info: http://www.mil-media.com/docs/articles/design.shtml
review: http://www.mil-media.com/docs/articles/review-mix-
lpe2.shtml


Elberg MD-12 appears to be popular among archives and
institutions, but I have not seen any reviews. If you use
this preamp, we want to hear from you! 1,150 Euros list
price.
info: http://www.vadlyd.dk/English/RIAA_and_78_RPM_preamp.html


FM Acoustics 222 MKII is expensive - okay, very expensive -
but provides a lot of flexibility and provides very high
quality sound (probably overkill for casual listening or for
use with mid-range electronics). $18,000 USD list price
(unverified).
info: http://www.fmacoustics.com/c_dom_fm_222.html


KAB Souvenir MK-12 appears to be popular among hobbyists, but
I suspect may also be used by professionals. $1,135 USD list
price.
info: http://www.kabusa.com/eqsmk12.htm
review: http://www.kabusa.com/eqs12rvw.htm


Esoteric Sound Re-Equalizer (old)
Smart Model RME 1950 Phono ReMastering Equalizer (new)
An affordable equalizer (not a preamp) that is designed to
follow an RIAA preamp. $399 USD list price.
info: http://www.smartdev.com/LT/remaster.html


Graham Slee Jazz Club - nice high quality preamp with enough
flexibility to cover a wide range of recordings, but not
quite as flexible as some of the units mentioned above. 575
Pounds Sterling list price.
http://www.gspaudio.co.uk/preamps/jazzclub.htm


Hagerman Technology Bugle Pro if you want to build a preamp
from a kit ($85 is pretty hard to beat for the kit, or $385
assembled)
http://www.hagtech.com/bugle.html

Elliott Sound Products Project 91 if you want to build your
own preamp from a schematic.
http://sound.westhost.com/project91.htm


Eric Jacobs
The Audio Archive



---- Original message ----
>Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2004 22:55:52 -0400
>From: "Steven C. Barr" <stevenc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Equalizers
>To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Jerry McBride" <jerry.mcbride@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> We are considering upgrading some of our audio equipment
that is used
>> primarily for playback. Currently, we are using an Owl 1
to select the
>> appropriate curve for playing 78 rpm recordings. What
other brands are
>> being used that work well for this purpose?
>Well, I always preferred the Smith & Wesson...
>:-)
>No, seriously...
>Keep in mind that prior to some point in the 1930's,
equalization was
>"made up on the spot" by the recording engineer, and there
was no
>standardization of any type, even within labels. The later
controls
>on amplifiers and pre-amps refer to a fairly-standardized
intra-label
>curve (one per label). These controls appear on most "hi-fi"
gear of
>the fifties and early sixties, but apply only to records of
their
>era...equalization of earlier 78's has to be done "by ear"
(unless
>someone can decode the cryptic notes found in surviving
recording
>ledgers if any exist)...
>Steven C. Barr