Adding an Equalizer to an Integrated Amp
Lacrymosa
Posts: 43
Hey all,
So I took the plunge and got the Musical Fidelity M5si, and I noticed I don't have any control of the output of the sound. I know most will say that adding an equalizer is not worth it, but sound is subjective and I'm looking to add one or find some way to control the audio a bit. I don't want to modify the whole sound signature I really just want to be be able to adjust two things.
1. I'd like to be able to fade the sound left and right. With my current set up my desk is a bit closer to the right speaker so I like to fade the sound to the right left a bit so that it's more balanced when I'm sitting there. Then I can easily center it when I'm just listening from the couch.
2. I'd like to boost the bass just a touch. I have the M5si hooked up to Polk RTi A9s and I find the bass very neutral and while I'm not at all a basshead I would like to give it a bit more presence.
What kind of product should I be looking for?
So I took the plunge and got the Musical Fidelity M5si, and I noticed I don't have any control of the output of the sound. I know most will say that adding an equalizer is not worth it, but sound is subjective and I'm looking to add one or find some way to control the audio a bit. I don't want to modify the whole sound signature I really just want to be be able to adjust two things.
1. I'd like to be able to fade the sound left and right. With my current set up my desk is a bit closer to the right speaker so I like to fade the sound to the right left a bit so that it's more balanced when I'm sitting there. Then I can easily center it when I'm just listening from the couch.
2. I'd like to boost the bass just a touch. I have the M5si hooked up to Polk RTi A9s and I find the bass very neutral and while I'm not at all a basshead I would like to give it a bit more presence.
What kind of product should I be looking for?
Answers
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A subwoofer and a dirty sock to muffle the right speaker?Gustard X26 Pro DAC
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There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus -
You drinking before noon?
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Line out into Aux2 should do it if you use an EQ (not recommended but it will do what you want it to do). You should be looking at getting a sub for the lower frequencies.
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
I would need a really big sock.A subwoofer and a dirty sock to muffle the right speaker?
I'd need a pretty big sock!You drinking before noon?
It was 3pm here so he's not doing too bad by my watch.Line out into Aux2 should do it if you use an EQ (not recommended but it will do what you want it to do). You should be looking at getting a sub for the lower frequencies.
Tom
Any recommendations for EQs? I seem to be finding mostly car ones. I have pre-outs (and RCA cables), which should work as well I've read.
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Gotta be honest here. I haven't used an EQ in my rigs in a very, very long time. If memory serves, the one I liked the most was a Furman dual 31 band EQ. You have to get adapters for the connections but if you are going to use an EQ? Another connection won't matter. To do what you are wanting to do, you will need a dual band EQ (unless the EQ you choose has a balance knob)
Here is one that is less than a Benjamin shipped to your door. https://www.google.com/shopping/product/1?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Furman+dual+31+band+EQ&prds=epd:14070932293839370536,eto:14070932293839370536_0,pid:14070932293839370536&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwis5I2Wscb2AhWhQjABHdB7DV4Q9pwGCAU
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
I don't know what the budget is but a Schiit audio Loki mini+ doesn't seem like a bad way to go. No balance control though.
https://www.schiit.com/products/loki-mini-32ch rig: Speakers: Magnepan LRS w/Magna Riser stands Preamplifier: Parasound P5 Amplifier: Parasound A23 CDP: Pioneer DV-563A Cables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
Standby: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress mods -
Gotta be honest here. I haven't used an EQ in my rigs in a very, very long time. If memory serves, the one I liked the most was a Furman dual 31 band EQ. You have to get adapters for the connections but if you are going to use an EQ? Another connection won't matter. To do what you are wanting to do, you will need a dual band EQ (unless the EQ you choose has a balance knob)
Here is one that is less than a Benjamin shipped to your door. https://www.google.com/shopping/product/1?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Furman+dual+31+band+EQ&prds=epd:14070932293839370536,eto:14070932293839370536_0,pid:14070932293839370536&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwis5I2Wscb2AhWhQjABHdB7DV4Q9pwGCAU
Tom
Thanks I'll look into that one!I don't know what the budget is but a Schiit audio Loki mini+ doesn't seem like a bad way to go. No balance control though.
https://www.schiit.com/products/loki-mini-3
Thanks, I really want the balance control most at this time though. Other EQ features are bonus.butterbean wrote: »Subwoofer!!
lol, eventually, but not looking to buy one right now, still recovering from the M5si. And my main priority is the balance control. I'm actually surprised the M5si doesn't produce more bass in these speakers. Would a 14 gauge wire help. I currently have 16 gauge. -
What is your source? That *may* explain the lack of bass.
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
I would get a minidsp with Dirac live, not an eq.Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer -
lol, eventually, but not looking to buy one right now, still recovering from the M5si. And my main priority is the balance control. I'm actually surprised the M5si doesn't produce more bass in these speakers. Would a 14 gauge wire help. I currently have 16 gauge.
MF gear doesn't lack in the bass department and neither do those speakers. For sure, generic 16 gauge speaker cables aren't helping, but gauge alone is no way to shop for cables.
What are your sources?Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
He mentioned earlier in another thread a turntable and also a Bluetooth receiver.
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Ok, I know nothing about Bluetooth receivers other than I want nothing to do with it.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
What is your source? That *may* explain the lack of bass.
TomHe mentioned earlier in another thread a turntable and also a Bluetooth receiver.Ok, I know nothing about Bluetooth receivers other than I want nothing to do with it.
Lol! I did away with that horrid piece. I now use an RCA cable directly from t he receiver to my phone, which has CDs losslessly ripped to it. And yes, my Project Debut Carbon turntable. -
What phone? Most phones aren't known for exceptional quality coming out of the 3.5mm jack.
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I would get a minidsp with Dirac live, not an eq.
I shall look into this, thanks!lol, eventually, but not looking to buy one right now, still recovering from the M5si. And my main priority is the balance control. I'm actually surprised the M5si doesn't produce more bass in these speakers. Would a 14 gauge wire help. I currently have 16 gauge.
MF gear doesn't lack in the bass department and neither do those speakers. For sure, generic 16 gauge speaker cables aren't helping, but gauge alone is no way to shop for cables.
What are your sources?
I have to admit I DO feel a tad underwhelmed with the amp with these speakers, so maybe my Amazon basic 16 gauge wires are an issue lol? I just feel like the sound isn't THAT much of an improvement so either I expected way too much or the wires are the issue.
I wouldn't say that there is no bass, I would just personally prefer a bit more. I think it's a tad underwhelming, again, as someone who is not a basshead.
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What phone? Most phones aren't known for exceptional quality coming out of the 3.5mm jack.
It's an iPhone, but it doesn't use a 3.5mm jack, it is an RCA to lightening cable. I know people like to find an issue with the source, but I don't have an issue with the quality of the audio in my car (or my previous car), nor when I play it through the basement surround, or my headphones. So I either expected too much or there is an issue with my wiring I'm thinking.
And the issue is still present with my turntable. The bass seems quiet. I just think with these speakers it should be much more present with the power the m5si supplies. -
So the volume output setting on the phone is set to 100% and then you're controlling the playback volume from the M5si?
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Whether or not you want to head this advice? That's up to you but you need to ditch your source being the phone. That is most definitely why your setup is bass shy.
As for the LP player? The bass should be fine on that, if the tonearm is properly adjusted, you have an MM cartridge and are playing decently recorded music.
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
So the volume output setting on the phone is set to 100% and then you're controlling the playback volume from the M5si?
Hmmm that's a good point haha oh God... I gave it a shot, sampled a few songs, It seems it might be a bit more punchy, but I still feel like it lacks presence. Again my expectations might be too high.
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Whether or not you want to head this advice? That's up to you but you need to ditch your source being the phone. That is most definitely why your setup is bass shy.
As for the LP player? The bass should be fine on that, if the tonearm is properly adjusted, you have an MM cartridge and are playing decently recorded music.
Tom
I respect the advice and I realize I'm on a forum with people who seek pure audio quality, but the phone is more than capable of producing bass to my satisfaction through other sources. Ultimately as I thought, suggestions for changing my source and adding a sub are what I expected, but really I'm just looking for suggestions on EQs that give me the option to adjust left/right balance/fade and bass. I know it's not what people want to hear lol but I'm just adding a touch to the sound quality, and it's me who has to listen to it. (And maybe change out my speaker wires to something better) -
What is the genre of music you are using to test with?
It sounds counterintuitive but when you move to an integrated amp like this with less distortion, sometimes the bass can sound more lean & tight as opposed to loose and boomey.
What you might be hearing is not "less bass" but rather a higher quality low end reproduction based on the M5si's grip on the woofers.
Then again there's a lot of variables at play here and without being there in person and checking every facet of the setup (and hearing it) it's hard for us to speculate. Can you post a photo of the rear of the M5si so we can see the connections? -
What is the genre of music you are using to test with?
It sounds counterintuitive but when you move to an integrated amp like this with less distortion, sometimes the bass can sound more lean & tight as opposed to loose and boomey.
What you might be hearing is not "less bass" but rather a higher quality low end reproduction based on the M5si's grip on the woofers.
Then again there's a lot of variables at play here and without being there in person and checking every facet of the setup (and hearing it) it's hard for us to speculate.
That could very well be the case. Maybe I like the loose sound? It wouldn't say the bass is missing from the music so that seems plausible. I've been playing mostly rock, hard rock, some leaning more to metal, and some a bit more symphonic. Some songs seem to produce better results than others, so it also comes down to the recoding/mixing in some cases. -
Get a office chair with wheels on it & get in the sweet spot. Ditch the phone. If you need a Eq you may have the wrong integrated amplifier for what your looking to get out of it..
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You’re not adding “a touch to the sound quality” by introducing an Eq to the system you are obstructing the sound quality -the less interference with the signal the better. As F1Nut said, MF integrateds are not known to be bass shy, mine is anything but bass shy. I would definitely save up and invest in some quality speaker cables. I haven’t used an equalizer since the 80’s and never will again. I know that’s not what you want to hear but it’s adding interference to your signal path, the opposite of what you should be doing.
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The problem with buying a quality amp or integrated amp is that it can make a bad source sound worse than a low quality amp does. Ditch the phone.
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At the risk of sounding stupid, the binding posts jumpers are still in place, right?
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At the risk of sounding stupid, the binding posts jumpers are still in place, right?
No, please ask, anything is helpful. They are still there yes.
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1) How good can the DAC in an iPhone be?
2) 16 awg cables....how long are they? That matters just as much as the gauge. I wouldn't go any smaller than 14 awg for 6 ft cables IMO.
3) Do you have the speakers spiked to the floor or are they sitting on carpeting? That could kill the bass.George / NJ
Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
Onkyo A-8017 integrated
Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
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Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform -
boston1450 wrote: »Get a office chair with wheels on it & get in the sweet spot. Ditch the phone. If you need a Eq you may have the wrong integrated amplifier for what your looking to get out of it
Not really a solution with my office set-up. Already have a chair with wheels though.You’re not adding “a touch to the sound quality” by introducing an Eq to the system you are obstructing the sound quality -the less interference with the signal the better. As F1Nut said, MF integrateds are not known to be bass shy, mine is anything but bass shy. I would definitely save up and invest in some quality speaker cables. I haven’t used an equalizer since the 80’s and never will again. I know that’s not what you want to hear but it’s adding interference to your signal path, the opposite of what you should be doing.
Thank you. I will definitely look into better cables. I believe in this amp still, based on it's reputation.
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I know people are very focused on the bass, but is there no way for me to adjust the balance?
