Marantz PM 66SE - adding an Equalizer

[ae35unit]

Hi all

Its my first time here, and im new to HiFi - a budding audiophile you might say

Im in the process of putting together my first seperates system, and i wanted to discuss it here

Currently my system consists of

• Marantz PM-66SE
• Marantz 5 CD changer
• Flac Player (recycled Smart Phone with USB Dac Running Decent Player with Flac and Ogg Support) - have a Wifi FTP set up on this too
• Radio with FM and DAB
• Pair of 8ohm Speakers

I intend to connect up a Digital Satellite receiver too, for Television, especially when watching Movies (VU+ Duo 2)

I would like to have some more control over the bass, and perhaps some other frequencies, as the 66SE really just has volume control

Is it possible to add an equalizer to this system? I am on a budget but i would stretch to get something reasonable if it provided the control i desire

Where would this equalizer connect, so that it would have systemwide control, regardless of source? Im new to Hi Fi, but my amateur assumption is that control would have to be between the Sources (CD, Radio, Flac Player), and the Amp - or i suppose it could function between the Amp and the Speakers? Im a total novice

The PM66SE has the following inputs

1. CD
2. Phono (pre-amp built in - i think!!??)
3. Aux
4. Radio
5. Tape in AND out
6. Tape 2 in AND out

The Tape in and out control confuses me slightly as its selection is different to the others - i did see it mentioned elsewhere that i could use the Tape In/Out as a way of Fitting in the Equalizer, but this confused the heck out of me -

Id really appreciate some advice - i know the Amp isnt Top Tier, by any stretch but its SO GOOD, and im delighted - the one drawback is just lacking that extra control, that an equalizer would offer

Thanks in advance

 

[Gray]

i did see it mentioned elsewhere that i could use the Tape In/Out as a way of Fitting in the Equalizer

You can.
Your sources (1-4 in your list) get routed to the tape output - so you can use that as the input to your equalizer.
The output of the equaliser then goes to a tape input.....which you select to hear the equalized sources.

And yes, you've got a built-in phono preamp 👍

 

[ae35unit]

Fantastic info, really appreciate it

Are there any requirements that i should be aware of when buying an equalizer? Would an older model be acceptable?

Behringer FBQ800 V2 Compact Graphic Equalizer at Gear4music

Behringer FBQ800 V2 Compact Graphic Equalizer at Gear4music

www.gear4music.ie

That would be the best value one i can find locally - although there seem to be cheaper ones available online

Any advice on what to look for would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Gray]

Fantastic info, really appreciate it

Are there any requirements that i should be aware of when buying an equalizer? Would an older model be acceptable?

Behringer FBQ800 V2 Compact Graphic Equalizer at Gear4music

Behringer FBQ800 V2 Compact Graphic Equalizer at Gear4music

www.gear4music.ie

That would be the best value one i can find locally - although there seem to be cheaper ones available online

Any advice on what to look for would be greatly appreciated!

To be honest - and you may well be aware of this - purists frown upon physical EQ and tone controls in general.

It's true that they can (and do) add some noise to your signal (it's the reason you have 'tone defeat' / 'source direct' switches on amps, to allow for the purest signal).

I used to have a nice Rotel RE-700 graphic EQ....but I wouldn't want to buy something that old now.
In your position, I wouldn't hesitate to buy that Behringer rather than anything cheaper.
On that, you'll be able to accurately adjust your input level to just below clipping, using the LED level meter.
That will maximise your signal to noise ratio.
Also check that the output is below clipping - (your're aiming for unity gain through the equalizer).
You can buy equalizers that independently control your L & R channels, but that one would do me.
(Best to stick to the 6dB rather than the 12dB range on it).

Enjoy what it does 👍

PS I bought one of these.
Completely frivolous, but highly entertaining - especially when putting live TV newsreaders through the pitch shifter 😆

Behringer | Product | FEX800

www.behringer.com