For $1600 (less than half a Manley or Weiss), you can get a Midas XL42. It's a pair of EQ strips from the XL4 board (and a pair of XL4 preamps, which do +70dB of gain, thrown in for the bargain).

That's definitely more than $500, but also less than Manley, Weiss, or even Amek. Here's [[url=http://[/URL]="http://mixonline.co…"]Mix Online's review of the XL-42 [/]="http://mixonline.co…"]Mix Online's review of the XL-42 [/] . Because it's a stereo channel in 1U with 4-band para-EQ, the knobs are a little tight, but that's a feature, not a bug.

P.S.

If it's good enough to be k.d.lang's "money channel", it's good enough for me!

What is the Speck unit going for nowadays???

Read Kurt's review:

http://www.recording.org/e-mag/article_100.shtml

hello-
I looked up and read about the Speck and it looks perfect for me.

but they have two versions, one with Transformer and one without. (that one's cheaper) Whats all that mean? My whole setup is pretty much Unbalanced so I don't know if it matters. I mean my VBT-1 is balanced but my RNC is not, so one unbalanced piece in the chain blows it all anyway right?

here's a Speck webpage from some local dealer, halfway down is the ASC where it has those two options

http://www.muzeekworld.com/muzeek-speck.htm

The Speck is a great eq low budget or otherwise. The transformer option isolates the eq from other gear in the signal path but with most modern gear this is not much of an issue. It is there more for added color/flavor and without it you get a more "pure" tone which some prefer and some don't

I liked the Speck very much and was heartbroken when I had to return them. If I recall correctly, the ASC retails at around $1000 per channel. IMO, this is a pro piece of gear! I personally like the sound with the transformer in the audio output path. I'm a "the sound is in the iron" kinda guy.

As far as the balanced and unbalanced issue, the ASC will perform well in either mode. This is not an issue anyhow and even many large format consoles like MCIs employ unbalanced inserts. If you have a balanced patchbay and hook your unbalanced gear up to it using unbalanced (2 conductor) cables, the proper terminations will automatically be made. If you are forced to use balanced cable runs for some reason, just see to it that the plug at the unbalanced end is terminated with the cold (-) wire attached to the ground shield. The sending or reciving piece will balance the signal and you will not suffer any signal strength loss.

excellent
I'm probably getting this thing

thanks guys

Alan, a "sleeper" parametric EQ, is the DBX 242.
Quite nice and not just "for the price".
Typically under $100 on e-bay used.

It was designed by Robert Orban, who's known for his quality equipment.

Harvey Gerst, a well respected pro engineer, was the one who tipped me on this one via his posts
regarding the DBX 242 BTW.

Another possibility is the Toft line sold at [url=(dead link removed)[/url]
If you contact Fletcher, he can discuss the Speck and Toft (they sell both). Plus they "double" a
manufacturer's warranty which is cool.

Chris

Chris

Sorry, last emoticon should have been the "wink".

Chris

And as a follow up to chess's post...if you can find one..the Orban Parasound is quite the little EQ...also designed by Robert Orban...(go figure)

I've heard good things about the Trident. Anyone used one? I've seen a few go on eBay for araound $500. I've also seen a few of the Orbans go for #300-500.

Hi guys what about the Audioarts units? a local engeneer around here I chated with has one and likes it alot and he has a rack with Sontec and Tubetech EQs in it. They typically sell around 100 or a little more all the time. Has anyone used one?

If this is the older Audioarts, it is real decent stuff and was the big thing next to the Blue Orban stuff 20+ years ago. If the unit has clean pots and has been re-capped it should do a very nice job. I've owned and used the various Orban eq units (and the comps. reverb ect) many times over the years and it is indeed above average stuff.