EQ connection question

steelglam

Hello,

I just picked up a DBX 1531x dual 15-band equalizer and am trying to integrate it into my system. I've got an Onkyo P-3030 preamp, a Yamaha MX-1000 power amp, and a pair of Polk RTA12a speakers.

The Onkyo pre has one set of RCA preouts (L/R), and the Yamaha power amp has one set of RCA inputs (L/R).

The DBX EQ has both 1/4" and XLR inputs and outputs.

I am trying to hook the EQ between the pre and power amp using cables with a 1/4" stereo plug on one end (to hook into the EQ) and left and right RCA plugs on the other end (to hook into the pre and power amp). The EQ has two input 1/4" jacks marked "A" and "B" and two output 1/4" jacks marked "A" and "B."

No matter how I try and make the connections, I am only getting sound out of the left channel/speaker. But oddly enough, when I hit the "bypass" button on the EQ--which I assume triggers a straight pre-to-power connection--the sound comes out of both channels/speakers.

Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong?

Here is a link to the DBX's manual if it helps: http://vintagedbx.free.fr/dbxpro/Manuals/English/1531X%20Owners%20Manual.pdf/

Thanks in advance!

CoolJazz

steelglam wrote: »

The DBX EQ has both 1/4" and XLR inputs and outputs.

I am trying to hook the EQ between the pre and power amp using cables with a 1/4" stereo plug on one end (to hook into the EQ) and left and right RCA plugs on the other end (to hook into the pre and power amp). The EQ has two input 1/4" jacks marked "A" and "B" and two output 1/4" jacks marked "A" and "B."

Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong?

What you're doing wrong is feeding left and right into the single channel input! You specifically say the inputs are marked "A" and "B". By using a RCA L and R to a Tip-Ring-Sleeve 1/4" jack, you are feeding a (likely balance) input jack with both left and right! The single jack into the EQ cannot possibly feed both the left and right sections! The A and B labels tell you this.

Confusing a TRS 1/4 jack used for balanced audio is often and easily confused with the idea that the TRS is like a headphone plug and it's use as unbalanced L-R and common.

Back up and get a pair of RCA to 1/4" Tip and Sleeve (incorrectly know as a mono plug) and feed the Left and Right seperately, unbalanced, and everything will be fine!

CoolJazz

PS...don't expect the EQ to make the audio sound any better. They manipulate audio frequency response at the expense of huge time errors. The ear happens to be much more tolerant of exact freq response than it is of timing error. Much better to put good speakers in correct position than it is to try to fix something after the fact with an audio blender!